After founding the international Christian ministry nearly four decades ago, Hugh Ross is stepping down to refocus his efforts on writing and other endeavors. The Reasons to Believe (RTB) Board of Directors has announced that Vice President of Research and Apologetics, Dr. Fazale “Fuz” Rana, will assume the President and CEO role as of July 1. As a scholar who shares Ross’s core values and vision, Rana adds his skills and expertise in the exploding arenas of biology and technology to carry RTB into the future.
“I’m thrilled to hand the CEO reins to Fuz,” said Hugh Ross, founder and senior research scholar. “I know from ministering alongside him for 23 years that he is called, capable, and committed to fulfilling God’s purposes for bringing RTB into existence. I’m looking forward to this new season of ministry, relieved of administrative and executive responsibilities for a large and still growing staff.”
This transition does not mean Ross is retiring or leaving RTB. Rather, it will allow him more time to focus exclusively on what he loves most—research, writing, speaking, and conducting media interviews.
Rana, who joined RTB in June 1999, previously worked for Procter & Gamble as a senior research scientist. He earned a BS in chemistry with highest honors from West Virginia State College, and a PhD in chemistry with an emphasis in biochemistry from Ohio University. He pursued postdoctoral studies on cell membranes at the Universities of Virginia and Georgia.
“Hugh has created a strong culture that lives on,” Rana said. “As I assume the leadership role, I feel sobered by the weight of the responsibility to lead RTB. But I am also overflowing with excitement because of the potential I see for RTB to transform our culture’s landscape.”
Hugh and Kathy are in good health, and the ministry is going strong. As Hugh turns 77 this year, he simply wants more time to research, write, and teach, less to fulfill executive functions. Kathy wants to work fewer hours, also without the pressures of helping to manage a large staff.
Fuz will become RTB’s President and CEO. Hugh’s title will be Founder and Senior Research Scholar, gladly reporting to Fuz.
Fuz will continue as a scholar and will now head up the leadership team, with the capable help of Chief Operating Officer Mark Perez and Chief Program Officer Phil Chien.
Hugh will likely come in regularly to access his personal library at the office. Kathy will be working mostly from home but will come in, as needed, and will have access to office space, as needed.
For people who follow and donate to RTB’s ministry, very little will change from their perspective. Fuz’s core values for ministry and vision for RTB are the same as Hugh and Kathy’s.
That is not likely. He will still communicate with people and answer questions, as he has time, via social media. However, he wants to stay focused on the writing projects he has been postponing for such a time as this.
Thank you Hugh and Kathy
Hugh speaking to college studentsHugh presentingHugh presentingRTB’s first publication, Facts and FaithHugh and Kathy in 1983RTB’s first one-room office at Sierra MadreHugh speaks to Chinese graduate students in Florida 1988Volunteers assist at convention booth 1991Hugh speaks to the communist Party in Kiev, Ukraine in 1990. He’s shown here with his translator who came to Christ after his seventh lecture.The first RTB office on Arrow HighwayHugh speaking in 1996A smaller RTB staff in 2004Fuz speaking at an eventRTB scholars with Humphrey Ballou in 2005Hugh and KathyHugh & Fuz Hawaii, 2005Hugh films in Hawaii in 1997Hugh, Kathy and Fuz in 2017
