Sheri L. Dew probably can't sit down without instinctively reaching for the seat belt. She's spent the past five years globe-trotting — boarding yet another plane bound for, say, Africa or Latin America to fulfill her frequent-flier duties in the Relief Society general presidency.

Photo by Jason Olson

Sheri L. Dew has been named president and chief executive officer of Church-owned Deseret Book Company. Author of biographies of two Church presidents, she has served in the Relief Society general presidency five years.

Simultaneously, she has helped Deseret Book Company extend its international reach in the ultra-competitive publishing industry. Yet the company's newly appointed president and CEO admits she never travels far from her hometown, Kansas-farm-girl sensibilities.

"I was raised by parents that absolutely centered our home on the gospel — the gospel was our lives, we had the pattern set," said Sister Dew, who will become the Salt Lake City-based publishing company's new leader on March 13.

Sister Dew learned young in Ulysses, Kan., that Church activity was synonymous with Church service. Coasting was not an option in her small unit.

"When you grow up in a tiny branch, like I did, they put you to work as soon as you can do anything. . . I probably spoke every other month or so because your turn came up again," she said.

Now Sister Dew hopes she can boost Deseret Book in its ongoing, multi-pronged efforts to inject values-based material into a world cluttered with destructive media.

"We're trying to do our part to present media of all kinds that will uplift you and strengthen you and change your life," she said.

Sister Dew succeeds Ronald A. Millet, who has led Deseret Book for nearly two decades and who has been called as a mission president. She admits feeling a little spooked about her new job, calling it an "absolutely terrifying" responsibility. During her tenure as Deseret Book's vice president, Sister Dew says she has witnessed the impact the company's products can have on people's lives. Now she worries about the scores of young LDS men and women she has met from around the world being bombarded by the world's ubiquitous, multi-formed media. She's focused on fulfilling Deseret Book's heady task to offer worthwhile, attractive alternatives.

"There have got to be things we can do to help put some things in the hands of parents and families that will help strengthen [young people]," she said.

Like Church members throughout the world, she has spent the past several years performing a balancing act. She says she's done the best she can to meet Church and professional duties.

"When people ask, 'How do you do everything?' my standard answer is: 'I don't,' " said Sister Dew, emphasizing that the kindness, support and patience of others have been vital in fulfilling her obligations.

Her busy life has not always gone as planned. For one, she did not travel west from Ulysses with designs on a long-term career in the publishing industry. "I thought I'd get married like every other girl I'd seen, but it didn't happen, which means I had to support myself," she said.

She has also known grief. Her younger brother and "best friend," Steve, died suddenly of a heart attack several years ago. He was 39. Then, two years ago, a car accident claimed the lives of Sister Dew's young niece and nephew. In dark times she has discovered comfort in her testimony.

"The gospel has been such an enormous blessing," she said. "It does not take away the pain of a loss, but it absolutely puts the loss in complete perspective."

The pangs of losing loved ones, she adds, has allowed her to empathize with others visited by tragedy.

Despite her tiring schedule, Sister Dew still enjoys a good time. She spent part of Salt Lake City's recent Olympics cheering near the speed skating finish line. She values evenings with a well-written biography and recreates outdoors with family and friends whenever possible.

"We love to be on the 4-wheelers or in the mountains. . . and beating each other around on the basketball court."

E-mail: jswensen@desnews.com