Jacksonville's Bryan Leonard Named President of Springfield Illinois LDS Stake

Bryan Leonard of Jacksonville has been named president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Springfield Illinois Stake, a role that places him at the helm of congregations across central Illinois and positions him as a community leader on local relief and outreach efforts.

Local reporting indicates Leonard was named to the post on Feb. 1, 2026. He will be assisted by Fiore Belmonte III of Auburn as first counselor and Travest Woodbury of Decatur as second counselor. The Springfield Illinois Stake includes congregations in Springfield, Decatur, Jacksonville, Pittsfield and Litchfield and is home to about 2,200 members. The stake center is listed at 3601 Buckeye Drive, Springfield, IL 62712, and the contact phone is (224) 505-3099. The stake page closes with the invitation: "VISITORS WARMLY WELCOME."

The stake presidency carries both pastoral and organizational responsibilities. "The stake president provides ecclesiastical leadership for a geographic group of congregations. He also oversees church programs within the stake." Stake presidencies typically remain in place for long terms; "Stake presidencies typically serve for about 9 years," a note on the local stake listing says, suggesting Leonard may shape programs and partnerships for some time.

Leonard's biography as published on the local stake page shows him born and raised in Jacksonville, with missionary service in the Paraguay Asunción North Mission from 1998 to 2000, a B.A. from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and a career as director of marketing and communication at Illinois College. He and his wife, Heather Leffler, married in the St. Louis Missouri Temple in 2001 and have five sons and one daughter. A Church Newsroom listing from October 2023 also identifies him as Bryan Edward Leonard, age 45, and references his role at Illinois College and his wife, Heather Faye Leffler Leonard.

Fiore Belmonte III's stake biography lists missionary service in the Houston Texas Spanish Speaking mission, a family of four daughters and one son, and work as director of operations for The Goley Companies. Travest Woodbury's entry notes missionary service in Mexico City West, degrees from BYU–Idaho and Purdue University, a position as senior research scientist at ADM, and a family with two sons and two daughters.

For Morgan County residents, a new stake president matters beyond worship schedules. Stake leaders often coordinate volunteer networks, emergency response among congregations, and community outreach that can intersect with public health efforts, social services and local nonprofit partnerships. Leonard's role at Illinois College may provide avenues for collaboration on communication, student service projects, or public information campaigns.

The leadership change also reflects the routine turnover in Church administration; a Church Newsroom listing from October 2023 named a different president, indicating the leadership has changed since that snapshot. Residents seeking confirmation, to offer congratulations, or to inquire about community programs can contact the Springfield stake center at 3601 Buckeye Drive or by phone at (224) 505-3099. The new presidency will likely outline priorities and community activities in the weeks ahead.