About ABS

Dr. Lamar Vest, President & CEO

Lamar Vest assumed the role of president of the American Bible Society, one of America’s oldest charities, on Jan. 1, 2009, after 17 years of service to the organization.  With a commitment to the organization’s mission to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, Vest has worked to extend the reach of Scripture globally and encourage engagement with its life-changing message.

Under Dr. Vest’s leadership, the 195-year-old American Bible Society is working to maximize new opportunities for delivering Scripture where it is most needed including anytime, anywhere access to Scripture through MP3, web, print, email and mobile technologies.

Prior to his appointment as president of the American Bible Society, Vest served the organization as executive vice president of Global Scripture Ministries and chairman of the American Bible Society's Board of Trustees.  Vest also served as a member of the executive committee of the United Bible Societies Global Board.

Vest holds a bachelor's degree from Lee University and a master of arts from the Church of God Theological Seminary.

Simon Barnes, Executive Vice President

The Rev. Simon Barnes serves as the executive vice president of Development, Marketing and Research for American Bible Society. From 2004-2007, Rev. Barnes served as a senior vice president of Geneva Global Inc. and the director of its Advisory from 2006-2007. (Geneva Global is a professional philanthropic services firm providing independent research and insight to international donors.)

For 12 years prior to 2004, Rev. Barnes served as president and executive director of the Fellowship of Christians in Universities and Schools Inc. (FOCUS), a national ministry serving America’s independent school population. During his tenure at FOCUS, the organization experienced unprecedented growth, developing into an effective vehicle for ministry to the wide and diverse “prep school” culture.

Rev. Barnes graduated from the University of Warwick with a joint honors B.A. in English Literature and Religious Studies and has a postgraduate certificate in teaching in 1986. He earned his M.A. in Religious Studies from the University of London in 1988 and completed further postgraduate studies in Business Administration from the Warwick Business School in 1992. He is ordained in the Anglican Church.

Robert L. Briggs, Executive Vice President

Robert L. Briggs, Executive Vice President Robert Briggs serves as the executive vice president of Global Scripture Ministries for American Bible Society. He led the first team launching Global Scripture Impact, the American Bible Society’s research arm, in early 2007. Prior to his Global Scripture impact role, Robert led the fund development teams of American Bible Society, raising more than $200 million in five years. Before joining American Bible Society in 1999, Robert Briggs had leadership roles with the American Diabetes Association and Cityhill (a Christian publishing company). He serves on the Global Board of the United Bible Societies and is chairman of the Forum of Bible Agencies – North America. Robert is a graduate of the University of Missouri. He and his wife have five children and live in east-central Pennsylvania.

Steve King, Chief Operations Officer

Stephen King serves as chief operations officer for American Bible Society. Steve works across functional lines to integrate and coordinate operations and strategy and is responsible for the success of all operations related to the internal systems.

Before joining the Bible Society, Steve worked as a consultant, providing leadership training and advisory services for clients in various sectors: finance, law, entertainment and nonprofit organizations. Previously, Steve worked in the securities industry for 25 years and was a senior vice president with EF Hutton and a senior director with Barclays Bank.

Steve is a graduate of Brooklyn College with a bachelor of science in psychology and management. He served as board president for Services For the Underserved, chairman of the Securities Industry Association, HR Committee and also served as a member of New Jersey Human Resources Planning Society. Steve resides in New Jersey with his wife and two sons.

Julia A. Oliver, Chief Financial Officer

Julia A. Oliver,  CPA/PFS, CGMA, serves as the chief financial officer of American Bible Society. She is a seasoned finance executive with a well-rounded skill set in accounting, operations, internal controls, systems and treasury functions. Before joining American Bible Society, Julia first gained experience as an auditor of financial services and not-for-profit clients and then assumed leadership roles in finance as a controller and later CFO at broker-dealer and asset management firms. She has also served as CFO/treasurer and director of Corporate Socially Responsible Investing with a nationwide church benefits organization.

A graduate of Rutgers University, Julia volunteers as a member of the Mandated Health Benefits Advisory Committee of the State of New Jersey, Department of Banking & Insurance and is a member of the AICPA. She and her husband, Christopher, live in Marlboro, NJ with their two daughters.