Ricardo Graham, executive secretary of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists since February 2006, was elected Nov. 15, by the executive committee, as the 19th president of the Pacific Union. Starting January 1, Graham will coordinate the work of the church in the union's seven conferences in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah, and will represent those conferences in decision-making bodies of the North American Division and the world church.

"I recognize the awesomeness of this responsibility," said Graham, in accepting the position. "It is my desire to help all our churches, schools, hospitals and members to lift up Jesus so He can come soon."

Graham succeeds Thomas J. Mostert Jr., who retires after serving as president of the North American Division's second largest union since 1986.

Before coming to the Pacific Union office, Graham had served as president of the Northern California Conference since February 2001 and as executive secretary of that conference since 1995. Before assuming administrative responsibilities, Graham was senior pastor of the Capitol City church, in Sacramento, and the Market and E Street Church, in Stockton, Calif. He also helped plant the Mayfair church in Stockton and served as its first pastor. Before coming to the Northern California Conference, Graham pastored several churches in the Lake Region Conference, which is headquartered in Chicago, Ill.

A native of Detroit, Mich., Graham received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oakwood College, Huntsville, Ala., a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Mich., and a Doctor of Ministry degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary.

Graham enjoys photography, reading, collecting musical recordings, racquetball and writing. He has been published in Ministry magazine, Message magazine, Signs of the Times (Australia) and the Adventist Review. He also authored a chapter in the book Perspective: Black Seventh-day Adventists Face the Twenty-first Century, edited by Calvin Rock.

Ricardo's wife, Audrey Weir Graham, an educator, is an alumna of Golden Gate Academy, Pacific Union College and Andrews University. The Grahams have two adult children, Jessica and Jonathan.