Latter-day Profiles

Host Brian Howard welcomes Jordan Abrams, Institute Director for BYU-Pathway Worldwide. Growing up in the "Napoleon Dynamite" country of Southeast Idaho, Jordan’s journey took him from a mission in Chile to a career that bridges corporate leadership and Church education. He discusses the innovative world of online learning, the unique spiritual environment of BYU-Idaho, and how BYU-Pathway is fulfilling a prophetic mission to educate and lift students in over 180 countries.

Host Brian Howard sits down with T.J. Packard, a CPA and partner at Packard, Appleby & Rogers. T.J. shares how a mission to Brazil and his time at BYU-Idaho forged a deep relationship with the Savior. He opens up about the trials of his single years, the "miracle" of meeting his wife Audrey, and the impact of a childhood friend who changed his life’s trajectory. A candid conversation about navigating the wait for life’s greatest blessings while finding joy in family and service

Host Brian Howard sits down with Ryan Bingham, Vice President of Human Resources at Honeywell. From his early career in Idaho to leading a team of 140 professionals across the U.S. and Canada, Ryan shares his journey of designing global HR models and coaching leaders at every level. A BYU and BYU-Idaho alumnus, Ryan discusses how living abroad in Mexico and Chile shaped his "business-first" mindset and how his faith influences his commitment to developing talent and fostering positive workplace cultures.

Host Brian Howard sits down with Elder Matthew Riggs, an Area Seventy and prominent Arizona attorney. From driving a UPS truck after law school to arguing landmark cases before the Arizona Supreme Court, Elder Riggs shares his unconventional journey. He discusses the divine intervention that led to his legal partnerships, the intersection of ethics and law, and his time presiding over the Washington D.C. South Mission. A fascinating look at following the Spirit in the courtroom and beyond.

Host Brian Howard sits down with Cali Black, the creative force behind @ComeFollowMeStudy. A BYU-educated teacher and author, Cali shares how a simple inspired prompting led to a massive digital community dedicated to the scriptures. Discover her "One Minute" approach to daily study, her strategies for connecting teens with the gospel, and her passion for uncovering pure doctrine. Learn how this Arizona mother of three is helping families worldwide find power in the sacred word.

Devin Durrant is the author of The Values Delta, an inspirational speaker, and a successful real estate entrepreneur. A former professional basketball player, Devin was a consensus All-American at Brigham Young University before playing for the Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns, and he is consistently ranked among Utah's top college basketball players of the 20th century. Following his athletic career, he became a real estate investor. He developed his core philosophy, The Values Delta, which focuses on adding value to properties, careers, and personal life by prioritizing moral values. Devin has also been a prominent leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having presided over the Texas Dallas Mission and served as a counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency. He and his wife, Julie, reside in Idaho and are the parents of six children.

Rod Gustafson is a seasoned media professional and currently serves as a Coordinating Producer at BYU Broadcasting, where he manages a diverse portfolio of over 20 national and international broadcast projects, including scripted series and feature films, spanning the entire production process. In addition to his leadership role, he is deeply involved in mentoring students of all faiths who are aspiring to work in media, helping them build strong spiritual and professional foundations. Rod has a rich background in media and journalism, having served as a contract television journalist for CTV News and as a Senior Radio Producer for a national series on SiriusXM. He also founded and was President of Parent Previews, a pioneering media literacy resource that offered family movie reviews and trained parents to help their children become critical thinkers regarding media consumption.

Lee Cummard is the newly appointed Head Coach of BYU Women's Basketball, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the university's mission. A former standout player for the BYU men's team, where he earned All-American and Mountain West Conference Player of the Year honors, Cummard has spent over a decade with the Cougars' basketball programs, serving on the coaching staffs for both the men's and women's teams. Prior to taking the head coach role, he helped the women's program achieve a WCC regular season title and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. A Mesa, Arizona native who served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tennessee, Coach Cummard played professionally overseas and is committed to fostering excellence both on and off the court for his student-athletes.

Bruce Kusch is the respected President of Ensign College (formerly LDS Business College), a role he began in 2017 after serving as the Chief Academic Officer. An accomplished academic leader, he has focused on enhancing the college's learning and teaching frameworks, resulting in increased student success and strong employer relationships. Prior to his current role, President Kusch held various administrative and faculty positions at BYU-Idaho and was an executive in Silicon Valley for companies including IBM and Logitech. He received a PhD in Instructional Design from Idaho State University, an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management, and a BS from the University of Phoenix.He also has significant Church service, having presided over the Mexico Cuernavaca Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with his wife from 2012 to 2015.

Shane Smeed, a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was serving as the president of Park University in Missouri and as the stake president of the Platte City Missouri Stake at the time of this interview. In February, Smeed accepted the position of President of Utah Tech University in Saint George, Utah.At Park University Smeed led initiatives focused on student success, institutional excellence and workforce development. His leadership accomplishments include launching a comprehensive fundraising campaign and creating strategic business partnerships to enhance student outcomes in the global market.Born in Provo, Utah, and raised in various states, he has a deep-rooted passion for education, inspired by his father's career. Balancing his professional and ecclesiastical responsibilities, Smeed is supported by his wife, Angela, and their three children. He is committed to fostering leadership, service, and faith in both his academic and church communities.

Jonathan Cutler is a seasoned real estate investor and entrepreneur with over 20 years of industry experience. He is the owner and former Director of Acquisitions at Cutler Enterprises and currently serves as the COO of The Storage Acquisition Group, which he joined in 2016. Jonathan's extensive background includes roles such as Director of Acquisition, Purchasing, and Estimating for KB Home.

Pete Grigsby has been a dedicated on-air TV meteorologist since 1990, spending the last 23 years with KMBC in Kansas City, MO. His career also includes stints in Norfolk, VA; Evansville, IN; and Bowling Green, KY. In 2008, Pete transitioned to an administrative role with the Blue Springs School District to better balance family life, where he oversees the district's TV and radio stations and teaches meteorology and broadcasting. A former all-state high school basketball player, Pete chose to focus on his studies in Broadcast/Journalism and Meteorology over college basketball offers. He enjoys running, playing piano, and serving in his church, while cherishing time with his wife Michelle and their two children, Nyle and Pete IV.

Jeremiah J. Morgan serves as the Deputy Attorney General for the State of Missouri, overseeing the civil practice of the Missouri Attorney General's Office. With a distinguished legal career, he has clerked for the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and practiced law with Bryan Cave LLC. Morgan also served as Deputy Solicitor General and General Counsel to the Supreme Court of Missouri. In addition to his legal work, he was called as an Area Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2020, with ecclesiastical responsibilities across four states. A graduate of the University of Central Missouri and Brigham Young University, Morgan's journey reflects a commitment to both his profession and faith.