Latter-day Profiles

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.

Cindy McDavitt is a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and an active participant in the Interfaith Council, promoting understanding among diverse faiths. Married with six adult children, 21 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, family is her highest priority. Professionally, Cindy has worn many hats, from full-time mother and business owner to computer programmer and project manager, retiring from Cerner in 2017. She has served in various volunteer roles within her faith and currently acts as the Communication Director for the Church in greater Kansas City and surrounding areas. Cindy is passionate about defending the right to worship freely and believes in building greater understanding and love through service.

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.

Lauren Felker is a junior at Lee Summit High School in Missouri. Lauren is an active member of her Young Women's group and an aspiring broadcast journalist or doctor.

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.

Lexi Eaton Rydalch is a former professional athlete drafted by the WNBA's Seattle Storm in 2016. As a standout student-athlete for BYU's women's basketball and track teams, she became the program's second all-time leading scorer and set scoring records in the West Coast Conference. Lexi has a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in business. She loves sports psychology and wants to mentor young girls. She plans to inspire them through different platforms. Beyond sports, she enjoys music and plays the piano, organ, and violin. Her dedication to athletics and personal growth makes her a role model for aspiring athletes.

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.

Chelsy Walker is a dedicated artist and community leader with a passion for creating and advancing the arts. With a career spanning over 20 years, her large outdoor sculptures are featured in various locations, including Park City, UT, and Overland Park, KS. A graduate of Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture, Chelsy works with materials like aluminum, bronze, and steel, focusing on themes of nature and family. She also has a permanent oil painting display in Olathe City Hall. Residing in the Kansas City Metro area with her family, Chelsy actively volunteers in her community and has chaired the Olathe Public Art Committee since 2019. She believes in the power of art to connect and celebrate the human family.

Porter Ellett, a native of Loa, Utah, has overcome significant challenges to achieve his dream of working in the NFL. After a childhood accident left him with severe nerve damage and the eventual amputation of his right arm, Ellett excelled in sports, earning accolades in high school and later serving a mission for the LDS Church. He attended BYU, where he worked as an equipment manager for the baseball team and discovered a passion for football. After earning a master's degree in sports management from Baylor, Ellett joined the Kansas City Chiefs, where he now serves as an assistant running backs coach to Head Coach Andy Reid

Serge and Isabelle Gaston are remarkable figures in their Paris, France, community. A seasoned finance professional, Serge serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for a prominent international group, overseeing finance-related activities, including bookkeeping, economic strategies, mergers, and acquisitions. His extensive career has taken him across the globe, offering him unique insights into various cultures and business environments. Serge's dedication to his profession is matched by his commitment to his faith; he has served in numerous church leadership roles, including as a stake president, where his vision for the church in France has been greatly influenced by his mission experiences in Arizona, USA. He currently serves as stake patriarch.