REPRESENTING (ARCH)DIOCESE OF: Diocese of Jackson

POSITION TITLE: Director, Department of Temporal Affairs (Fiscal Officer)

NUMBER OF YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION: 5

NUMBER OF DFMC CONFERENCES ATTENDED: 8

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Duties similar to all Diocesan Fiscal Officers

AccomplishmentsWith the support of Bishop Kopacz, VG Father Lincoln Dall, Diocesan Finance Council, and Temporal Affairs Team: Corrected deficits in Chancery and multiple parishes and schools, implemented multiple software conversions, corrected major issues within Deposit and Loan portfolio, facilitated change in medical benefits providers, implemented major switch in 401k program, corrected issues in audits for Diocese and
Catholic Charities, decreased personnel costs by streamlining processes, restructured Diocesan Finance Council and related Committees to follow USCCB / Canon guidelines, and developed and implemented parish Best Practices Guide and internal audit program.

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR BACKGROUND PRIOR TO WORKING FOR THE (ARCH)DIOCESE: Resume submitted along with this questionnaire. Summary – I am a fixer and a problem solver. I have spent my career primarily working on accounting projects and software implementation, correcting and/or strengthening financial processes and data, training, management, and related areas. I thrive on helping to empower people, especially women
(reminder: I started my career in the late ‘80s), to succeed and feel confident in their success. I have enjoyed saying ‘yes’ and then figuring out what I’ve said ‘yes’ to, then making it work and learning from the process. I would say curiosity is my best professional and personal trait and patience is my least.

ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION: I am who I am because of my faith. Continuously trying new things is possible for me because of my faith. My husband and I have been married for 35 years and raised two beautiful sons (no bias of course) who are focused on serving others even when as scientists they have doubts about religion. I have a strong connection to the Holy Spirit and recognize the Spirit working in my life. I believe in living my faith and that it should be evident in how I act and while I can be quoted saying “there’s that Holy Spirit working again” am not as vocal about it as some of my colleagues. I am flawed, and always seeking to do better. 

I am part of a close family who, other than my immediate family is distant in miles. My father is a major part of my life, as a mentor and supporter. (Mom was too). I am originally from  California and lived in New Orleans and Detroit Michigan before moving to Jackson in ’76. Ihave two siblings and we grew up sailing on the Ross Barnett Reservoir near Jackson. Water, trees, and birds are my ‘happy place’ and my husband and I RV camp regularly, along with our 7lb Maltipoo, to experience this peacefulness. In addition to RVing I enjoy other travel, reading, walking, and spending time with family and friends.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, ETC.: BBA-Accounting, MBA, School Finance/Administration Certification– Villanova.

PARISH/CHURCH AFFILIATIONS: Formally a member of St. Joseph Parish, Gluckstadt, MS. Attending St. Catherine's Retirement Village for Mass with my father since the passing of my mother in December 2022.