Local LDS Church Reorganizes Leadership

The Santa Margarita Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has new leadership after the selection of a new president and counselors this week.

Kirk D. Hess is the new stake president. Hess has been a Rancho Santa Margarita resident for nineteen years. Recently, he served with the youth as the stake adventure specialist, coordinating character-building outdoor experiences from rock climbing to snow camping. Previously, he taught early morning seminary and served as the bishop of the Aliso Creek Ward for six years. He has been married to Jenny for 22 years, and they have five children. Hess is in sales for HPSI, a group purchasing organization.

New First Counselor Robert S. Warnick has lived in Lake Forest and Coto de Caza fo 41 years with his wife of 44 years, Juli. They have eight children and twenty-six grandchildren. Previously he served as a Sunday School teacher. He is a partner in the Irvine accounting firm Warnick, Maestas, & Maroney.

Second Counselor Brad Cooper is a Trabuco Canyon resident who has lived in the area for 26 years and previously served as the Santa Margarita Stake executive secretary. He and his wife of 32 years, Teri, have five children and one grandchild. He is the CFO for a bio-pharmaceutical distribution company.

At the same meeting, area leadership expressed heartfelt thanks for their many years of service and dedication for the outgoing leaders of the stake: President Sterling A. Brennan, First Counselor Larry Gregson and Second Counselor Dan Schoessow.

A stake is an administrative unit comprised of multiple congregations (wards) of the church in a specific area. It is comparable to a diocese in the Roman Catholic Church. The presiding officer of a stake is the president, who is aided by his counselors, as well as a 12-member high council. All leaders are lay members.