Eight new mission presidents, called by the First Presidency, have been announced. The new leaders and their wives will begin service about July 1. They are:

Juan Carlos Avila, 44; Argentina Mendoza Mission; Ciudad Evita 1st Ward, Buenos Aires Argentina Aldo Bonzi Stake; high councilor; former bishop, counselor in a bishopric and missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission. Self-employed. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Juan Carlos Avila and Herminia Concepcion Bonina de Avila. Married Deborah Viviana Olaiz, six children.

A ward Primary president, Sister Avila is a former counselor in stake and ward Primary presidencies, counselor in ward Relief Society and Young Women presidencies and Primary music director. Born in La Plata, Argentina, to Hector Alejandro Olaiz and Sophia Adriana Domrose de Olaiz.

Ronald Rex Bennion, 49; France Paris Mission; Great Bridge Ward, Chesapeake Virginia Stake; gospel doctrine teacher; former counselor in a stake presidency, high councilor, high priests group leader and missionary in the Guatemala-El Salvador Mission. Chief financial officer of Sentara Health Plans. Born in Wiesbaden, Germany, to Merlin Rex and LaVell Morgan Bennion. Married Debra Jean Weekes, five children.

A nursery leader, Sister Bennion is a former stake and ward Primary president, ward Young Women president and counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency. Born in Montrose, Colo., to Merlin Joseph and Bonnie Jean Wiseman Weekes.

Robert Stayner Fotheringham, 61; Colorado Colorado Springs Mission; Holladay 4th Ward, Salt Lake Holladay South Stake; bishop; former area public affairs director, stake president, high councilor and missionary in the Southwest British Mission. Branding consultant. Born in Ogden, Utah, to Theron William and Mae Taylor Richards Fotheringham. Married Kathleen Hatch, four children.

A ward Sunday School secretary, Sister Fotheringham is a former counselor in stake and ward Relief Society presidencies and counselor in ward Young Women and Primary presidencies. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Harvey Alan and Delsa Crowley Hatch.

James LaVerle Hacking, 56; Missouri Independence Mission; Lindon 16th Ward, Lindon Utah West Stake; ward provident living specialist; former stake president, bishop and missionary in the British South Mission. Owner and president of James L. Hacking Construction. Born in Blanding, Utah, to LaVerle Thomas and Gene Young Hacking. Married Diane Coleen Dana, three children.

A Church service missionary and ward provident living specialist, Sister Hacking is a former ward Relief Society and Young Women president, counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, gospel doctrine and Relief Society teacher. Born in Tracy, Calif., to Glen Howard and Sybil Johnson Dana.

Jan �ke Karlsson, 60; Sweden Stockholm Mission; Sandvika Ward, Oslo Norway Stake; temple ordinance worker and ward Young Men president; former counselor in a mission presidency, high councilor, bishop and missionary in the Sweden Stockholm Mission. Country manager for Tahitian Noni Int. Born in Boras, Sweden, to Arne Helge and Anna Ragnhild Maria Karlsson. Married Bente Bakken, four children.

A temple ordinance worker and gospel doctrine teacher, Sister Karlsson is a former stake Young Women president, stake and ward music chairman and ward Relief Society and Primary president. Born in Oslo, Norway, to Arne Birger and Elsie Biseth Olsen Bakken.

John Christian Nelson, 64; South Africa Cape Town Mission; Parleys 3rd Ward, Salt Lake Parleys Stake; patriarch for the Salt Lake University 2nd (Student Single) Stake; former counselor in a stake presidency, high priests group leader, Scoutmaster and missionary in the Northern California Mission. Retired ophthalmologist. Born in Denver, Colo., to George Elroy and Alice Louise Taylor Nelson. Married Lynne Sanders (deceased), six children. Later married Mary Ann Baxter Warren, who has five children from her previous marriage to Russell M. Warren (deceased).

A gospel doctrine teacher, Sister Nelson is a former stake Young Women president, ward Relief Society president and counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency. Born in Murray, Utah, to Golden Stephen and Helen Myers Baxter.

Lee Tom Perry, 53; California Roseville Mission; Canyon View 8th Ward, Orem Utah Canyon View Stake; former stake president, high councilor and missionary in the Japan West Mission. Associate dean of the Marriott School of Management at BYU. Born in Logan, Utah, to L. Tom and Virginia Clare Lee Perry. Married Carolyn Bench, six children.

A stake Relief Society president, Sister Perry is a former stake and ward Young Women president, Primary chorister, Relief Society teacher and Young Women adviser. Born in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, to Robert Kirby Bench Sr. and Ada Ruesch Bench.

Tetuanui Marama Tarati, 53; Tahiti Papeete Mission; Pao Pao Ward, Faa'a Tahiti Stake; national public affairs director; former stake president, district president, bishop and branch president. Director of special education for French National Education. Born in Raiatea, French Polynesia, to Haurai and Ahuura Tautoo Tarati. Married Christiane Mere Pea, five children.

A stake seminary and institute coordinator, Sister Tarati is a former stake and ward Young Women president, district Primary president, Relief Society enrichment leader and ward chorister. Born in Tahiti to Tutehau Pea and Reiatua Tuihani Hamblin.