Paulo Acosta joined the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference as treasurer this spring after previously serving at the Pennsylvania Conference and Adventist World Radio. His wife, Juliana, later joined the Treasury Department as an administrative assistant. In this Q&A, Acosta shares about his background, family, transition to Arkansas-Louisiana, and his plans for the Treasury Department.

Q. Tell me about your background.

I am originally from Argentina. My undergraduate degree in administration was from River Plate Adventist University Then I graduated with an MBA from Washington Adventist University. 

Q. Where were you living and working before coming to Arkansas-Louisiana?

I moved here from Hamburg, Penn., where I lived across the street from the Pennsylvania Conference and Blue Mountain Academy. I worked as the associate treasurer at the Pennsylvania Conference before being invited to work for Adventist World Radio (AWR). When I began working for AWR, I stayed in Pennsylvania as my job with AWR was a hybrid position in which I worked mostly from home. 

Q. What brought you to the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference?

I understand that the Columbia Union treasurer recommended my name at the North American Division Year-End Meetings. They knew me because I had been part of a treasurers’ mentoring group with the Columbia Union. What convinced me to answer the call was the people and the family-like environment at the conference. 

Q. Tell me a bit about your family.

We don’t have family in the United States other than our daughters, Briana, 16, and Emma, 13. Briana is a senior and Emma is a freshman this year. Juliana Savoy is my wife, and she left her job as executive assistant to the president of the Pennsylvania Conference to come here. We enjoy going and doing things in nature such as kayaking, camping, hiking, and biking.

Q. How are you settling into your new role?

The new position is a big responsibility, and each day I’m learning to rely 100 percent on God to meet the demands of the new role. I have a great team, and the plan is to keep learning and improving. I want to empower the team, and at the same time, I feel like I learn every day from them. It’s a two-way street.

Q. How have you seen God leading in your new role?

It has been encouraging to see how God is leading. Each day brings new opportunities to see Him provide answers and direction.