March 25th, 2008

Ricardo Graham, president of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and chair of La Sierra University’s Board of Trustees, will be the featured speaker for La Sierra University’s Commencement Weekend Worship Service, Saturday, June 14, at 10:45 a.m., in the La Sierra University church.

As Pacific Union president, Graham coordinates the many-faceted mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Pacific Union territory — the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. He is the leader among the four elected officers, which include the executive secretary, the treasurer, and the vice president.

The president is ultimately responsible for the work of all departments within the Pacific Union Conference organization. The president is a member of many Union, Division, and General Conference boards and committees in a coordinating and representative role. Graham is also vice-chair of the Adventist Health board, which operates 20 hospitals and other healthcare facilities in California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington.

Prior to becoming president, Graham served Executive Secretary of the Pacific Union Conference since February 2006, after serving 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. Before coming to the Northern California Conference, Graham pastored several churches in the Lake Region Conference.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Graham received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oakwood College, a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University 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.

PR Contact: Larry Becker
Executive Director of University Relations
La Sierra University
Riverside, California
951.785.2460 (voice)