Keith B. McMullin has retired as CEO and president of Deseret Management Corp. (DMC), the holding company that manages the for-profit ventures of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The change was effective Dec. 1, according to an announcement from the First Presidency of the church.
McMullin, 82, was appointed to lead Deseret Management in April 2012 after completing his service in the Presiding Bishopric of the Church, which began in 1995.
“We extend to you, Keith, our congratulations for all that has been accomplished during your nearly 12 years of service as president and CEO of Deseret Management Corp. Your talents and abilities are admired and appreciated,” stated a letter signed by President Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring.
McMullin led the holding company which oversees operations of Bonneville International Corp. (radio and television stations, including KSL TV and radio in the Salt Lake City market), Deseret Book Co. (publishing and retail bookstores) and Deseret News (publisher of Salt Lake City’s Deseret News newspaper). Through Deseret Digital Media, the company oversees the website operations of DeseretNews.com, DeseretBook.com, MormonTimes.com and LDSChurchNews.com. DMC properties also include Beneficial Life Insurance and Temple Square Hospitality. The church formed the holding company in 1966.
The First Presidency also announced the appointment of Jeff Simpson to replace McMullin as CEO and president of DMC. Simpson has served as managing director of BYU Broadcasting since July 2021.
“Keith is an inspired leader who has had a great impact on me both personally and professionally, and I am honored to step into the remarkable legacy he and others have created at Deseret Management,” Simpson said.
Simpson was formerly president of Deseret Book Co., president and CEO of Bonneville International and president and publisher of the Deseret News. He began his media work at Walt Disney Pictures and Buena Vista Television. He then built Excel Entertainment Group, which became a top 10 independent media distributor. In 2004, Excel Entertainment Group was acquired by Deseret Book.