Saints in Scouting
On January 1, 2020, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Church) discontinued its role as a chartered organization with all Scouting programs around the world, including the Boy Scouts of America. For over 100 years, the Church has been a great supporter of Scouting in many countries, and many have benefited greatly from this. President George Albert Smith once said, “I feel grateful to the Lord that Sir Robert Baden-Powell was impressed—may I say, inspired—to give Scouting to the world” (Improvement Era, Sept. 1948, 558).
Recognizing that the Church has concluded its formal relationships with Scouting, many felt a strong prompting to organize an international Scouting association for members and friends of the Church. This association will provide a way to connect with those who recognize what Scouting has done and will continue to do around the world.
Realizing that many Latter-day Saints desire to continue their Scouting experience, the Church has encouraged them to join community Scouting units. Therefore, as with other denominations participating in Scouting, Latter-day Saints continuing their Scouting involvement desire an independent organization to support their efforts in Scouting, domestically and internationally. Hence, the creation of Saints In Scouting.
Mission of Saints In Scouting
Represent
Represent Latter-day Saint Scouts and Scouters worldwide, through effective association with WOSM (World Organization of the Scout Movement), Scouting America, and other National Scouting Organizations
Encourage
Encourage membership in and affiliation with Scouting organizations by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worldwide
Reward
Develop and administer a Scouting America Religious Award to help Latter-day Saint Scouts and Scouting leaders learn and apply their duty to God
Meet Our Team
Lyle Knight
Board Chairman
Lyle R. Knight resides in Wyoming and serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saints in Scouting. He has been actively involved in adult scouting since 1976 and has served as President of the Grand Canyon Council, President of the Metro Area of the Western Region, President of the Western Region, Vice President of the National Council and National Executive Board Member for 25 years. He spent his career in the banking business, retiring as President/CEO of First Interstate BancSystem, a multi-billion dollar bank holding company with banking offices in three states. In addition to numerous charitable boards, he also served as Vice President of the Federal Advisory Council, acting as an advisor to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. He has served on numerous corporate boards and is currently recognized as a Board Member and Audit Committee Chair of ECI in Montana. Lyle was awarded the Bronze Star for his military service in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He was previously recognized as Citizen of the Year in Mesa, Arizona. He is also the recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, and the Silver Buffalo awards. He and his wife, Toril, have a large family with 52 immediate family members, including 7 Eagle Scout sons and grandsons.
Chris Perry
Board Member
Chris’ Scouting journey began as a Den and Webelos Leader for her four Eagle Scout sons and has since expanded to the global stage. She has served on staff for three BSA National Jamborees, three World Scout Jamborees, and multiple World Scout Conferences. A passionate believer in advanced leadership training, Chris has staffed four Wood Badge courses and served as the Course Director for the first National Linked Troop Wood Badge Course. Her current assignment is Co-lead Volunteer of the Scouting America’s Office of Development for the Summit Bechtel Reserve. Her numerous recognitions include the Silver Buffalo, Silver Beaver, International Scouter Award, and the Greater Salt Lake Council Influential Women in Scouting Award
Wayne Perry
Board Member
From a “voluntold” assignment as a local Cubmaster, Wayne Perry went on to become the 34th National President of the Boy Scouts of America. His unparalleled service to the movement includes terms as Council President, Area President, Western Region President, BSA International Commissioner, member of the World Scout Committee, and Chair of the World Scout Foundation. He has staffed numerous National and World Jamborees and Wood Badge courses. His extensive international recognition includes the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, Bronze Wolf, and national Scouting honors from Japan, Mexico, and Sweden. Wayne serves as Co-lead volunteer, along with his wife Christine, for the Scouting America Office of Development and serves on the Scouting America National Executive Board.
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Todd Moody
Board Member
Todd L. Moody has been active in Scouting since his childhood. He has been married to his high school sweetheart for 32 years. He is an Eagle Scout; his two sons are Eagle Scouts, and his two daughters are married to Eagle Scouts. He has served in many positions on the council level, regionally and nationally. He has attended several national and world jamborees. He’s an attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he has developed a boutique adoption practice. Todd is actively involved in the community and currently serves on the Greater Las Vegas Communications Council for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Jake Nichol
Board Member
Jake is married to Darnell, is the father of 5 and grandfather of 14 (and counting), and resides in Park City, UT. His business career spanned 45 years in the tools business where he served in a variety of roles and for the last 30 years, as Pres/CEO of Stanley Proto Tools, Danaher Tool Group PTD, and Leatherman Tool Group. He currently serves on the board of directors of Cambia Health Solutions, Leupold and Stevens Corp, and Wiha Tools. His Scouting experience includes Life Scout award (sorry Mom) Ass’t Scoutmaster, Scout committee chair, Cascade Pacific Council president, Western Region VP, Western Region Area 2 president, and board of directors for Vanguard International Scouting Association.
Gordon Gee
Board Member
Serving for a second time as president of West Virginia University, Dr. E. Gordon Gee has been a leader in higher education for more than three decades. In 2009 Time magazine named him one of the top 10 university presidents in the United States. Recently, the website Great Value Colleges named him the nation’s top university president. Gee also served as president of The Ohio State University (twice), Vanderbilt University, Brown University, and the University of Colorado. Before starting his career in higher education, he clerked under Chief Justice David T. Lewis of the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and was a judicial fellow and staff assistant to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he worked for Chief Justice Warren Burger. He is the co-author of over a dozen books and has also authored many papers and articles on law and education. In addition to serving on the Vanguard International Scouting Association Board, he currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the National 4-H Council, the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America and Board of Directors of the American Council on Education – the nation’s largest higher education organization. He served as chair of the Big 12 Board of Directors Executive Committee for the 2017-18 year.
Carl Bradford “Brad” Allen
Board Member
Brad and his wife, Dantzelle, are the parents of one daughter and seven Eagle Scout sons, and the grandparents of 24. Brad brings profound expertise to the board, having retired from a 37-year career as a Boy Scouts of America executive. His distinguished tenure included serving as Council Executive in Idaho, Utah, and Washington, Deputy Director for the Western Region, and six years as the Director of LDS-BSA Relationships. An Eagle Scout and Duty to God recipient, Brad and Dantzelle have served together at numerous National Jamborees and the Philmont Training Center. Despite his executive success, his favorite Scouting role has always been Scoutmaster.
A dedicated community and Church leader, Brad’s extensive missionary service includes serving as President of the Mormon Battalion Historic Site and completing a senior mission in Greece. He currently serves in the St. George Temple. Brad is a BYU graduate and “Outstanding Alumni Award” recipient, a national board member for the Sons of Utah Pioneers, and has spent over 20 years serving his communities through Rotary International.
Frank McAllister
Board Member
When his Scoutmaster father hosted a troop meeting in the family backyard, then-4-year-old Frank McAllister thought that made him a Scout. While he didn’t officially become a Scout until age 11, that day began a lifelong commitment to Scouting.
As an adult, Frank spent years as a Scoutmaster before serving Scouting as an executive board member on the local, regional, and national level. During his time on the National Executive Board, among other roles, he chaired the National BSA Conference on Sustainability, which is a particular area of interest.
In his professional life, Frank spent most of his career at ASARCO, a century-old mining and refining company, where he became chairman and CEO. He later joined Stillwater Mining Company, the nation’s only miner of platinum and palladium, as its chairman and CEO. Frank graciously shared expertise in the field of mining by helping Scouting America develop the Mining in Society merit badge.
Hugh Redd
Board Member
Hugh was the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of General Dynamics Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, until December 2013. He had worked for General Dynamics Corporation since 1986, serving as a Senior Financial Analyst and also as Vice President and Controller of General Dynamics Land Systems in Sterling Heights, Michigan. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University and a Master’s in Professional Accounting degree from the University of Texas. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Redd currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, Virginia. Mr. Redd has been a member of the Company’s Board of Directors since January 2015 and currently serves on the Audit Committee, the Executive Committee, and as Chair of the Compensation Committee.
Charles Dahlquist
Board Member / President
Charles specializes in healthcare law at Kirton McConkie. He has served in various Church callings, including Scoutmaster, Ward Young Men President, Unit Commissioner and member of a stake Young Men Presidency, Stake President, YSA Branch President, Mission President of the Germany Hamburg Mission (1992-1995), and Young Men General President of the Church (2004-2009). He was the Honorary Consul for Germany from 1999 – 2015 and a founding member and president of the Utah Consular Corps. Charles is a member of the BSA National Executive Board and served as the BSA National Commissioner from 2016-2018. Charles and his wife, Zella, have five daughters (affectionately known as “Charlie’s Angels”) and 16 grandchildren.
Mark Francis
Board Member / Registrar / Exec. Secretary
Mark Francis serves as the Scout Executive of the Far East Council in Okinawa, Japan, and has dedicated his career to the Scouting movement as both a volunteer and professional. His professional service includes roles as District Executive, Scoutreach Director, Field Director, Scout Executive of the Greater Wyoming Council, and Director of the LDS–BSA Relationships Office in Salt Lake City. As a volunteer, he has served in numerous pack and troop leadership roles for more than 25 years. In recognition of his contributions to Scouting and youth leadership, he received the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award in 2017 and the National Duty to God Award in 2024. Mark and his wife, Nettie, are the parents of ten children, all of whom have been involved in Scouting.
Trevor Bender
Vice President – Operations
Trevor brings decades of Scouting and commissioner service to Saints in Scouting. He recently completed service as the Council Commissioner in the San Diego-Imperial Council, where he continues to serve on the Board of Directors. His experience includes serving as a Webelos Den Leader, Scoutmaster, Varsity Coach, Venturing Crew Advisor, Assistant Council Commissioner for Membership in the San Diego-Imperial Council and Chairman of the Latter-day Saint Service and Transition Team. A passionate advocate for Wood Badge, Trevor completed his training in the Chief Seattle Council, served as a Troop Guide for the first-ever National Linked Troop Model Wood Badge course, and earned his Doctorate of Commissioner Science in 2020. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Commissioner Service Award, the District Award of Merit, the Silver Beaver Award, the William D. Boyce New Unit Organizer Award, and the Outstanding Eagle Scout award. Professionally, Trevor is the Chief Growth Officer for Cypher Analytics, a program management consulting firm. He and his wife, Sally, have four children and five grandchildren.
Neal Robison
Vice President – Communications
Neal blends a deep commitment to the Scouting movement with over 30 years of professional experience in technology and higher education. He currently serves as the Director of People Development for Western Governors University. His extensive corporate background includes senior leadership roles in the tech & video game industry—holding leadership roles at Apple Computer, Sega of America, and Universal Studios.
In his Scouting service, Neal serves on the National Camping & Trekking Committee for Scouting America and is a member of the National Religious Relationships Committee. He also serves on the World Religious Relationships Committee. Neal served as a Wood Badge Course Director, as a member of the development team for Scouting America’s Game Design Merit Badge, and earned his Doctorate in Commissioner Science in 2017. His contributions span from the local level, as a Scoutmaster and District Chairman, to the global stage, including service on the National Jamboree staff and leading the “Novus” technology team for the 2019 World Scout Jamboree. He is a recipient of the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, the Council Duty to God Award, District Award of Merit, the Commissioner’s Key, and the William D. Boyce New Unit Organizer Award.
Matt McIff
Vice President – Program
Matt McIff and his wife, Rachel, reside in Saint George, Utah, and have 4 children. All are involved in Scouting and enjoy outdoor activities in Southern Utah. Matt is the Scoutmaster for Troop 42 sponsored by the St. George Rotary Club. He has served in other Scouting capacities for over 10 years including Varsity Scout coach, Committee Chair, Assistant Scoutmaster-new Scout patrol, and Chartered Organization Representative. In his youth, Matt earned his Eagle Scout Award and attended National Youth Leadership Training as well as Philmont Scout Ranch and developed his lifelong love of Scouting. Matt is a native of central Utah and works as a Family Physician in St. George.
Jordan Nelson
Chief Financial Officer
Jordan and his wife, Kristin, are both Wood Badge trained and have 4 very active children. Jordan attended college at the University of Utah, where he graduated in Organizational Communication. He is a partner in Evergreen 1031 Advisors and is involved in community service, serving as CFO for the Weber Meadowview Ranch Corporation as well as CFO for the Vanguard International Scouting Association. His service in the church includes callings as Bishop and Stake Young Men President.
Wayne Bishop
Religious Awards Committee Co-Chair
Wayne is an Eagle Scout with over 70 years of dedication to the Scouting movement. A retired Semiconductor Electronics executive, his volunteer service in Scouting includes acting as Scoutmaster, Wood Badge Course Director, Council Commissioner, Council President, Area 3 Vice President, and member of the Western Region Board.. He has served on staff for ten National and World Jamborees. A former Bishop and Stake Young Men President, Wayne is a 1910 Society and James E. West Fellow and recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Outstanding Eagle Scout, and Council Duty to God awards.
Roma Bishop
Religious Awards Committee Co-Chair
Roma’s involvement in Scouting spans over five decades, beginning when she married Wayne. They are the parents of five children (4 Eagle Scout sons and 1 Eagle Scout son-in-law) and have 20 grandchildren (5 Eagles and more coming). She has served as a Den Leader, Den Leader Coach, and on staff for six National and World Jamborees. Roma and Wayne have served on the Philmont faculty for LDS Weeks an incredible 28 times. A former Ward and Stake Primary and Relief Society President, Roma also served as a Church Service Missionary to the Young Men General Presidency. Roma and Wayne are the Founders of Pack and Troop 947 in the Golden Gate Area Council. She is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, and Philmont Master Track awards.
Mike Ball
Vanguard Communications Team, Webmaster
An Eagle Scout and Silver Beaver recipient, Mike Ball’s outdoor leadership began as a backpacking trail guide at Beaver High Adventure Base in his youth. After serving a Church mission in Vanuatu, Mike has spent his adult life volunteering as a Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, Stake Young Men Presidency member, and District Troop Committee Chair. He is the founder of Troop 20 in Highland/Alpine, Utah. Mike utilizes his professional skills as a software engineer to support the digital infrastructure of Saints in Scouting. He is the proud father of four adventurous boys
Saints In Scouting Supporting Activities
1. Serve as a liaison between Scouts and Scouters who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Scouting America, other NSOs (National Scouting Organizations), and WOSM (World Organization of the Scout Movement).
2. Represent Latter-day Saint Scouters on Scouting America’s National Religious Relationships Committee and other Scouting America committees and encourage active participation in Scouting America committees at all levels: national, regional, area, council, and district.
3. Provide and coordinate, in connection with local Church leaders, Latter-day Saint chaplain services at Philmont Scout Ranch, National and World Jamborees, and other Scouting encampments.
4. Represent Latter-day Saint Scouts, Scouters, and Scouting families at National Scout Jamborees, World Scout Jamborees, and other Scouting events by providing Latter-day Saint Scouting exhibits, sponsoring Latter-day Saint Scouting events, and so on.
5. Provide a forum for connecting Latter-day Saint Scouters across the world to help them be more effective in using Scouting to further the youth objectives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
6. Provide communications to Latter-day Saints involved in Scouting and others domestically and across the world concerning the benefits of Scouting in helping their youth reach their potential, develop life skills, develop character traits, and prepare them…for Life.
7. Continue to build bridges of “friendship, fellowship, and faith” with our Scouting friends from all different backgrounds and denominations around the world.
8. Develop and promote a Religious Award to help Latter-day Saint Scouts, Scouters, and families learn and apply their Duty to God. Provide written materials to describe the requirements for Scouts and leaders to earn the award, and provide help and materials to assist them in earning the award.
9. Sponsor annual conferences for Latter-day Saint Scouters.
10. Develop materials to support the efforts of Latter-day Saint Scouters worldwide.
11. Work with Scouting America for periodic checks and necessary maintenance of the chapel built by and used by Latter-day Saints at Philmont Scout Ranch.
12. Work with Scouting America to develop marketing and recruitment materials to help grow Scouting, both domestically and internationally, among those of the Latter-day Saint faith.
13. Encourage occasional Scouting encampments for Latter-day Saint Scouts, normally on a Scouting regional or area basis.
14. Perform those other functions that will encourage active involvement in the Scouting programs of Scouting America and other NSOs worldwide by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
15. Provide ideas to show how the work in various national Scouting programs can be used to support the new Church child and youth development program. The intent is to give a guide to the complementary nature of the two programs and to show that youth efforts in one can also serve the youth in the other.
Note: Saints In Scouting Association is an independent association, not officially sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but which supports Latter-day Saints involved in Scouting worldwide.