ANGELA WALTON VOTED SOUTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION

February 6, 2023

The Northeastern Conference Executive Committee has elected Elder Brian S. McDonald to serve as Treasurer/CFO with immediate effect. This position was vacated when Pastor Robert Chandler accepted the invitation of the Columbia Union to serve as Assistant Treasurer.

Prior to his appointment, Elder McDonald chaired the Northeastern Conference Finance Committee. His responsibilities were wide-ranging and included reviewing the annual budget, recommending fiscal policies and overseeing financial reporting.

Elder McDonald has cultivated an extensive pedigree in financial administration. He is an experienced Certified Public Accountant and attorney who has worked in the financial sector for over two decades. His background includes auditing, corporate governance, financial compliance, risk management and tax law.

A graduate of Northeastern Academy, McDonald is a product of Christian education. He completed his undergraduate studies at City University of New York – Lehman College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, Cum Laude. Elder McDonald continued his post-graduate studies at Brooklyn Law School and was conferred the Juris Doctor degree in 2011.

A son of Northeastern and a lifelong member of the Mount Vernon Church, Elder McDonald expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the conference that has fostered his spir- itual development. Furthermore, he thanked Pastor Robert Chandler for his leadership and willingness to facilitate a smooth transition. He also stated, “I am committed to working to the very best of my ability to build on the successes of this great conference and tackle the challenges that lie ahead.”

We solicit the prayers of the Northeastern Conference membership on behalf of Elder McDonald, his wife Lorraine, and their three daughters as they embrace God’s call for their family. t prepared by the Northeastern Conference Administration. Regional Voice magazine thanks them for this report.

Angela Walton has been voted to the position of Superintendent of Education by the South Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Executive Committee. After a national search, Walton was chosen to lead the Office of Education. She has a history of successful experience in early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education and administration.

Walton is an educator and administrator who holds a Bachelor’s degree in African American History and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She has more than 27 years of experience as an educator, with 15 of those years as an administrator in Adventist Education.

Walton previously served as an Associate Superintendent for the Georgia Cumberland Conference, specifically as the Southern Regional Director. In this role she was responsible for presiding over 12 Elementary schools in her territory.

“Walton brings a uniqueness to the South Central Conference Office of Education, due to having worked on a conference level from a different structural approach to leadership and decision-making,” commented Johnny Holliday, former Superintendent of Education. He added, “she has conveyed to me her intent to build on the present systemic initiatives that have proven to be effective for our students and teachers. Further more, Superintendent Walton plans to challenge all stakeholders to envision and diligently work toward moving the bar higher for the students and staff in the South Central Conference schools.”

As she reflected on some of her accomplishments in her previous role, she highlighted the following:

• Establishing a Conference-wide Equity program that brought awareness to the various social, emotional, cultural and academic needs of students.

• Ensuring safe learning environments where students can thrive as learners.

• Assisting schools in restoring financial stability and community support.

• Evaluating data to develop strategic plans to improve academic excellence.

Walton is known for having a reflective, measured style of leadership that aligns with her motto, “Christ, Character and Curriculum.” She intends to utilize this style of leadership to enhance and innovate any bipartisan best practices put in place during the leadership of Interim Superintendent Johnny Holliday.

“I want to welcome Mrs. Angela Walton to our South Central Family,” said President Benjamin Jones, Jr. He continued, “I have great confidence that she will help us build on the great work that has been accomplished in the last six years in the education ministry. Christian Education is a high priority and a key factor to our future success as change agents in the Church and the world around us. We look forward to working with Mrs. Walton and our team of South Central Conference educators. Again, I welcome Mrs. Walton and her family.” t