Alan C. Ashton received his PhD in computer science at the University of Utah and was a professor of computer science at Brigham Young University. He was cofounder of WordPerfect Corporation and Thanksgiving Point. He served as president of the BYU 14th Stake and later as president of the Canada Toronto West Mission from 2004 to 2007. He currently serves as bishop of the Provo Utah YSA 158th Ward.