Speakers

Michael McLean For 25 years Michael McLean has been changing lives with his tender songs and candid messages. He has shared the "hard stories" - those from his own life and those of others - and has sung us all the way to light at the end of the tunnel. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that for every person, twist, or turn along life's path, Michael McLean has the perfect song.

McLean released his debut album, You're Not Alone, in 1983 and with every song that followed, his lyrics filled voids, encouraged love, and offered hope. Now, more than 25 albums later, his musical legacy has not only resonated in the hearts of thousands, but continues to be a standard for those seeking meaning and peace.

To celebrate this exciting anniversary, McLean released a boxed set of six albums in 2008. The definitive collection, 25, is filled with his most beloved songs from the last 25 years, many of which were out-of-print, as well as a handful of brand-new songs on each album.

With a background in film, McLean began early in his career making commercials for radio and television, receiving numerous national and international awards for advertising. Such awards included the prestigious Clio Award, National Addy Award, New York Ad Club's Andy Award, two National Emmy Finalists Awards, and the Bronze Lion at the Cannes Film Festival. He later used his film experience to produce and direct several films including, Together Forever, The Prodigal Son, and Mr. Krueger's Christmas starring film legend Jimmy Stewart.

Ever the engaging performer and master storyteller, McLean has shared his beloved Christmas musical, The Forgotten Carols, with more than a half-million people across the country since 2001. With humor and heart, "The Carols" has become a beloved tradition for thousands of families who mark the beginning of their holiday season with this magical musical.

Celebrating the Light, another of McLean's musicals, ran for five seasons at the Promised Valley Playhouse in Salt Lake City and The Garden, an allegorical oratorio written with Merrill Jenson and Bryce Neubert, opened in Jerusalem and has been performed across the country as well as in France, South America, and Russia. His popular sea-faring musical The Ark enjoyed a New York City debut in 2005.

In addition to his music and films, McLean has also authored four books with accompanying CDs - Distant Serenade, Hold on the Light Will Come: And Other Lessons My Songs Have Taught Me, The Forgotten Carols, and most recently, From God's Arms to My Arms to Yours.

McLean and his wife Lynne have three children and live in California.

Kimberly Croft, a Southern California Native, is married with four children. Attended Brigham Young University, and began her career in the Travel Industry in 1979, including a Professional Teaching Assignment in San Diego. Exploring the World is her passion, and enjoys her many adventures, including the exciting journey of life!

Marc and Karen Davis . Marc C. Davis was born March 5, 1966 in San Diego, California to Clinton and Carmen Davis. One of six children, he grew up in the San Diego area and graduated from the School of Creative and Performing Arts. He attended Brigham Young University as a freshman and then accepted a mission call to serve in the Ireland Dublin Mission from 1985-1987.

After completing his mission, he returned to BYU and completed his studies in Economics. During this time, he met and married Karen Mickelsen of Idaho Falls, Idaho. They were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 29, 1988. They have 7 children: Eric - 20, Rachel - 18, Marly - 17, - - 14, Audrey - 12, Lauren - 5 and Erin - (deceased in 2008).

The family returned to San Diego in 1990 and Marc began working as a financial planner. After earning his Certified Financial Planner credential and working for the pension division of a large insurance company, he started his own fee-based financial planning and asset management firm in 1994.

He has served as a Ward Mission Leader, a counselor in a Bishopric, a Bishop, a Stake President and is now Stake Young Men's President in Poway. His interests outside of church and family include history, sports, politics and public affairs. He is currently a candidate for Poway School Board.

Karen Davis was born Jan. 8, 1965 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Lynn and Jeanine Mickelsen. One of nine children, she grew up in Idaho Falls on a potato farm. She attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a degree in Economics. She took a break from her studies to serve a Spanish speaking mission to Quito, Ecuador from 1984-85. Before becoming a full time mom, Karen worked in finance at two banks and did accounting and tax work.

She has served in many church callings including as Stake Relief Society President, in the Primary presidency, as Miamaid adviser, Sunday school and Relief Society teachers and is currently Ward Young Women's President. She has worked in the schools sharing her musical talents, organized variety shows, been team mom and room mom and treasurer for several organizations. She stays busy with all of her children's activities. Her interests include photography, reading, accounting and helping with everything that her kids are involved in.

Michael Ramsdell Mike Ramsdell was born and raised in Bear River, Utah. Upon graduation from Utah State University, he was commissioned an officer in the Military Intelligence Corps. After post graduate studies at the University of Utah, he began his military active duty as a graduate from the Defense Language Institute (Russian and German) in Washington, DC.

Mike's career specialty in Russian/Soviet counterintelligence has taken him on missions throughout Europe, Russia, Scandinavia, and Asia. Colonel Ramsdell has served with US and NATO militaries, various US intelligence agencies, and the US Department of State. He had the opportunity to work in support of the first Reagan-Gorbachev Moscow Summit. His last foreign assignment was for a six-year period in Moscow and Gorky, Russia.

Mike currently lives in northern Utah with his wife, Bonnie, and their three cats. He has a passion for racquetball, skiing, and college football. He also serves in the Sunday school of his local church. His national best seller "A Train to Potevka" is Mike's first book.

Elder Chris Waddell was recently called as a Seventy in the last General Conference, April 2010 currently serving as an Area Seventy for the North America West Area. He and his family just recently returned from Barcelona, Spain where he served as Mission President of the Barcelona, Spain Mission, the same mission where he served earlier as a missionary. From the San Diego Area, Elder Waddell served as Stake President of the Del Mar California Stake, and was a former bishop and counselor and high councilor. Professionally, he is first vice president of Investments at Merrill Lynch's International Division. Born in Los Angeles, to Wayne William and Joann Barbara Fisher Waddell, he is married to Carol Stansel and the father of four children.

Carol Waddell, recently returned with Elder Waddell serving in the Barcelona, Spain Mission. She is a former member of the Scout committee, former counselor in a stake Young Women presidency, ward Primary president and counselor, and counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency. Born in Redondo Beach, California, to John Charles and June Renee Clark Stansel, Carol is married to Elder Waddell and the mother of four children.

John M. Preston and LuAnn B. Preston have been married for 35 years. They have five children and four grandchildren. They currently reside in Poway. John is an attorney with clients throughout the state. LuAnn is involved in the community and charitable activities.

John and LuAnn have been keynote speakers at stake events, young adult conferences, high council meetings and Relief Society programs. They developed and taught a six week course on building relationships for the young single adults.

Their class is entitled "Protecting Yourself from the Adversary in an Adversarial World". How do we find our way back to Christ when the world is so full of distractions, misleading ideas and the lack of integrity that is all around us? Can "TLC" make a difference in our lives? Learn the three steps back to Christ! Totally Loyal - eye single to His Glory, what his is will for me? (Merrilee Webb). Live Like the Savior - know God and the Savior. Cheer the World On - charity.