Leadership Profiles

Dr. Lamar Vest, President & CEO

Dr. R. Lamar Vest has been a long-term leader in the development and expansion of Bible mission both here in the United States and around the world. Prior to his appointment as president, he served as the executive vice president of Global Scripture Ministries for the American Bible Society and has served as chairman of the Bible Society's Board of Trustees.

In addition to these Bible Society responsibilities, Dr. Vest serves as a member of the executive committee of the United Bible Societies Global Board. He has served as chairman of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) and as a member of the NAE's board of directors and executive committee. Further, Dr. Vest's ministry experience includes executive leadership with the Church of God and a former President of Lee University.

 

Simon Barnes, Executive Vice President
The Rev. Simon Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of Development, Marketing and Research for the 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 post graduate certificate in teaching in 1986. He earned his M.A. in Religious Studies from the University of London in 1988 and completed further post-graduate studies in Business Administration from the Warwick Business School in 1992. He is ordained in the Anglican Church.

 

Robert Briggs, Executive Vice President
Robert Briggs serves as the Executive Vice President of Global Scripture Ministries for the American Bible Society. Robert Briggs 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, he led the fund development teams of the American Bible Society, raising over $200 million in five years. Before joining the American Bible Society in 1999, he gained valuable experience in leadership roles over with the American Diabetes Association, Cityhill (a Christian publishing company), and journalism. Robert is a graduate of the University of Missouri. He and his wife, Susan, have five children and live in central Pennsylvania.

 

Steve King, Executive Vice President
Stephen King serves as executive vice president of strategic management for the 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 ABS, 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 of 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 is a member of Christ Church in Middleton, N.J., where he resides with his wife and two sons.

 

Julia Oliver, Chief Financial Officer
Julia A. Oliver 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 the 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. She is a volunteer religious education instructor for her family's parish, Saint Gabriel's Church, and is a member and the past Treasurer of the church's Altar Rosary Society.