Executive Director

Catholic Charities

Education: M.S. and a B.S. in criminology, California State University Fresno

Age: 56 years old

Family: Wife Lisa and three kids: Kyle (29), Carlie (27), Chloe (24)

WHAT WE DO: Catholic Charities is a community benefit organization serving families in the greatest of need with food, clothing, housing support, education and much more. Even more so, we provide help and create hope when often there is none.

Tell us a little about your career to your current position.

Upon graduating from Fresno State, I spent a few years in the corrections and law enforcement field as a deputy probation officer in Kings County and as a federal agent with Naval Investigative Service in Long Beach California. Upon returning to the Fresno area, I embarked upon a media career here in the Central Valley and throughout the region that I enjoyed for 30 years. Most recently, I held the position as director of fund development with Poverello House and now as of Nov. 13, executive director of Catholic Charities. With three sites in Fresno, Merced and Bakersfield and services to over 140,000 clients throughout the year, it is a great responsibility that I fully embrace.

What attracted you to Catholic Charities?

The thought of me being able to continue working with those less fortunate, the homeless and families in need and to be able to lead from the platform of my Catholic faith at Catholic Charities was a true blessing.

In what ways can the business community support Catholic Charities?

First of all, I came into this position fully aware that the business community does support Catholic Charities with great enthusiasm and generosity. Through monetary gifts, in-kind donations and the always needed support of volunteer hours, companies and organizations throughout the Central Valley enable us to continue this important work. Catholic Charities’ donors are emotionally and spiritually connected to our mission of helping those in the greatest of need.

What’s in the future for Catholic Charities?

Our extremely engaged board of directors is focused on maximizing and expanding services throughout the eight-county Diocese of Fresno and specifically in our Bakersfield, Merced and Fresno operations. Great things are in our future and I’m excited to be a part of answering the growing need throughout the region.

What other causes/organizations are close to your heart?

Our family has a special relationship with the Capuchin Franciscans and specifically with Father David Beaumont who lives and evangelizes amongst the indigenous people in Northern Mexico. He has made a profound impact on me in displaying his deep love with a true servant’s heart.

What are your roots in the Central Valley?

My roots run deep. I was born in Easton, raised in Bowles and attended Washington Union High School. I played football at College of the Sequoias in Visalia and at Fresno State. I’ve spent almost my entire professional career here in the Valley.

What was the best advice you ever received?

From Coach Sweeney, The Five Success Essentials:

Crystallize your thinking

Have a written plan

Develop a burning desire

Have supreme confidence

Have iron willed determination

What was your very first job and what did you learn from it?

My first paying job as a teenager was at Fresno Meat Packing Company. I mended corral fences and dug out and removed thistle from pastures. It was a long hot summer filled with hard work and also a sense of accomplishment.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

My wife and I enjoy spending time together. Whether it’s enjoying a great meal, a weekend in Monterey, going to the movies or time with the kids when they’re all in town, being surrounded by family and friends is what brings us the greatest joy.