Clark G. Gilbert, currently the CEO of Deseret News and Deseret Digital Media, and an executive vice president of Deseret Management Corporation, will become the next president of Brigham Young University-Idaho.

Elder Russell M. Nelson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and chair of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, made the announcement today at BYU-Idaho's weekly devotional.

Clark Gilbert replaces Kim B. Clark, who has served as president of BYU-Idaho since 2005. Gilbert will become the next president effective April 13.

President Clark came to BYU-Idaho after having served as the dean of the Harvard Business School for 10 years. President Clark and his wife, Sue, are the parents of seven children and 22 grandchildren.

"During his time at BYU-Idaho, President Clark led significant development of the university through innovations in the academic calendar, online education, the introduction of the BYU-Idaho Learning Model, and the extension of the university around the world through the online Pathway program," said Elder Paul V. Johnson, commissioner of the Church Educational System.

At the announcement, Elder Nelson praised President Clark for his leadership. "He has earned the trust, support, respect, and love of the faculty, staff, administrators, and students of this great university. Truly, in him, we have seen an eloquent example of an effective leader and servant," Elder Nelson said.

Clark Gilbert, who will be inaugurated as BYU-Idaho's 16th president, has been recognized for his leadership in transforming the Deseret Media Companies in the digital age. During Gilbert's tenure, Deseret News became known nationally for faith and family news coverage, while the creation of Deseret Digital Media has separately enabled the reach of family-focused content to millions of people around the world.

Gilbert's new assignment will mean a return to BYU-Idaho where he previously served as the Associate Academic Vice President of Academic Development. His previous responsibilities at the university included student leadership, the BYU-Idaho Learning Model, online learning, and the Pathway program.

Prior to his work at BYU-Idaho, Gilbert was on the faculty of the Harvard Business School where he taught entrepreneurial management and published path-breaking research on the disruptive impact of digital technology on the newspaper industry. He earned a doctorate in business administration from Harvard, a master's degree from Stanford University and a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University.

Gilbert will be taking the reins at BYU-Idaho with his wife, Christine. They have eight children.