The following individuals make up the committee that evaluates applications for grants from the Journalism for Adventist Solutions (JAS) fund.
Jim Walters, JAS Committee Chair, Professor Emeritus of Religion and Ethics, Loma Linda University. Walters has a long, deep commitment to Adventist journalism. This stems from his high esteem of church life, only matched by the downside of unexamined church governance. Walters earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees (communication and religion) from Southern Adventist University.
Charles Sandefur, JAS Committee Vice Chair, Versacare Foundation Board Chair, retired Vice President for Outreach for the Central California Region of Adventist Health. Sandefur is a former President of Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). His professional background includes ministry and administration, having served as member/ chairman of a number of boards of trustees for various health and educational institutions in the United States.
Ezrica Bennett graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Oakwood University. Bennett has worked as a book editor for the Loma Linda University School of Medicine and has written for SPECTRUM and Adventist Review and the Southeastern California Conference. She is a writer, public speaker, and coach, passionate about working with young adults to help them navigate life and faith, and a youth elder at Loma Linda University Church.
Garrett Caldwell, Vice President, Mission Integration, AdventHealth. Caldwell holds a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity from Andrews University and a Bachelor of Arts in communications and theology from Oakwood University. Caldwell has held communications leadership roles at California State University, Loma Linda University Health, General Conference of SDAs and Upper Columbia Conference and currently serves on the board of the Society of Adventist Communicators.
Alva Johnson, Associate Professor, School of Journalism and Communications and Accent Faculty Advisor, Southern Adventist University. Johnson received a BA in Communication, with an emphasis in print journalism, Oakwood College and an MA degree with an emphasis in public relations, Kent State University. Johnson is an award-winning journalist with extensive experience in news media and public relations fields. She is currently teaching Writing for Media, Intro to Mass Comm, News Reporting, Investigative Reporting, and Interactive Journalism college courses in addition to advising the student-led college paper.
Ray Tetz, Director Communication & Community Engagement, Pacific Union Conference, Publisher of the Pacific Union Recorder and co-founder of Oak & Acorn Publishing. Tetz is the former Vice-President Communication for Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), and President/Creative Director of Mind Over Media, Inc, a strategic marketing firm with broad communication capacities. In his long career, Tetz has served the international development, healthcare, and non-profit communities and has extensive experience as a producer, writer, and strategic communication consultant.