CRISTA Ministries begins formal process to identify successor to President & CEO Bob Lonac

Board of Trustees for CRISTA Ministries has formally initiated a process that will eventually conclude with the hiring of a successor to President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Lonac.

The future hire will become only the sixth individual to serve in the role during the 69-year history of the organization.

Appointed by the CRISTA Board in 2006, Lonac arrived following distinguished tenures with Young Life and the International Justice Mission. Since his arrival, overall fundraising revenue for the seven ministries that comprise the CRISTA family has nearly tripled.

Through the efforts of Lonac and his team, the organization has been awarded 4-star status by Charity Navigator, and has been consistently recognized nationally as a “Best Christian Workplace” by the Best Christian Workplace Institute. Today, the ministries of CRISTA collectively serve over 8 million people each year around the world through education, broadcast media, global development, equipping veterinarians, youth camps and senior living.

Under the direction of Chairman Tim Jenkins, the CRISTA Board of Trustees is dedicated to finding the right individual to take the reins of overseeing one of the largest and most respected non-profit organizations in the region. A Presidential Search Committee was created and has retained CarterBaldwin (carterbaldwin.com) to assist with the search to identify outstanding candidates for the post.

Stated Jenkins: “Bob Lonac has transformed CRISTA by bringing out the best in its people; helping them to love God by serving others. Bob’s inspired leadership has guided CRISTA through many important changes and achievements. 

"Bob will leave the CRISTA family of ministries in a state of being highly unique, healthy, and with abundant opportunity in front of it, both here in the Pacific Northwest and throughout the world. 

"As we enter the process to identify the right individual called to lead CRISTA toward the bright future ahead, we anticipate this role to be highly sought-after and expect a talented and diverse pool of candidates.”

After a final candidate has been identified and selected by the Presidential Search Committee, the full CRISTA Board of Trustees will vote to confirm the individual. Prior to his retirement from CRISTA, Lonac will remain in place for a period to assist with onboarding his successor.

CRISTA is a family of seven ministries united by a shared mission to love God by serving people here and around the world. Founded in 1949, CRISTA is comprised of King’s Schools, CRISTA Senior Living, World Concern, CRISTA Media, Seattle Urban Academy, CRISTA Camps and Christian Veterinary Mission. CRISTA’s world headquarters are located on a 55-acre campus in Shoreline.