The leadership of Deseret Management Corp. — the for-profit arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that operates the Deseret News, KSL, Deseret Book and other companies — is changing.
Keith B. McMullin, president and CEO of DMC, is retiring Dec. 1, the Deseret News first reported Thursday. Jeff Simpson, managing director of BYU Broadcasting will take his place.
“We extend to you, Keith, our congratulations for all that has been accomplished during your nearly 12 years of service as president and chief executive officer of Deseret Management Group,” read a letter signed by church President Russell M. Nelson and his two counselors in the faith’s governing First Presidency, Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring. “Your talents and abilities are admired and appreciated.”
McMullin, 82, was appointed CEO in April 2011, according to the Deseret News, after serving in the church’s Presiding Bisphoric, which oversees the faith’s real estate, financial, investment and charitable operations.
Simpson has been managing editor of BYU Broadcasting, which operates BYUtv, since July 2021; he will remain there until Dec. 1. He has led several companies within DMC, and has built a decadeslong career in media.
McMullin told the Deseret News he has “great confidence in Jeff Simpson’s ability to build on DMC’s strengths and lead it into the future.”
“The pace of change in the media industry is breathtaking,” Simpson told the Deseret News. “It demands constant evaluation and adaptation to stay at the forefront. While this presents a challenge, DMC has a rich history of innovation and success and the remarkable talent pool at DMC gives me confidence that we are up to the task.”
Besides the Deseret News, BYU Publishing and the stores and publishing labels of Deseret Book, DMC also owns and manages the insurance company Beneficial Life, Deseret Digital Media and Bonneville International Media Co. — which operates KSL television and radio, FM100.3, and radio stations in Denver, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Francisco and Seattle.
Shannon Sollitt is a Report for America corps member covering business accountability and sustainability for The Salt Lake Tribune. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by clicking here.
