in 1995, at the general conference delegation session held in romania, he was elected as corporate secretary for the denomination and at this time moved his residence to roanoke, virginia, usa, a short distance from the headquarters of the denomination in roanoke. in 1999, he was elected as regional secretary for north america, a position he held until being elected 1st vice-president in 2003. he also held a number of additional positions within the same organization, including welfare department director and secretary of the doctrinal working committee. he was the organization president, a post to which he was elected in september 2011.