(Salt Lake City, UT) - Deseret Management Corporation (DMC), a for-profit arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Thursday announced the retirement of Mark Willes and named former second counselor in the presiding bishopric of the LDS church, Keith B. McMullin to replace him as Chief Executive Officer.

Willes has overseen the transformation of the organization since 2009 positioning it to become more competitive during the industry-wide shift to digital media.

McMullin, born in St. George and raised in Leeds, Utah, previously served as a member of DMC's board of directors for more than 15 years and has worked closely with Willes to shape the corporation's recent convergence strategy. He takes the reins of the company only days after being released as the second counselor in the LDS church's presiding bishopric.

McMullin is a banking and finance graduate of the University of Utah called to the presiding Bishopric in December 1995. He has served as managing director of the Church’s Welfare Services Department and earlier had been with Ford Motor Company as an investment and financial analyst and also managed several small businesses.

While in the presiding Bishopric McMullin participated in the improvement of local communities, including City Creek Center, a multi-use development in downtown Salt Lake City, humanitarian and relief efforts for people around the world and the business operations of the church.

He and his wife, Carolyn Jean Gibbs McMullin, have eight children and 24 grandchildren.

About Deseret Management Corporation

Deseret Management Corporation was organized in 1966 to manage some of the commercial companies affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Today, it owns and oversees hospitality, media and insurance companies including the Deseret News, Deseret Digital Media, KSL Television & Radio, Bonneville Communications, Okespanol, Deseret Book, Temple Square Hospitality and Beneficial Life.