DFMC BOARD CANDIDATE
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
NAME OF CANDIDATE: Michael Ford
REPRESENTING (ARCH)DIOCESE OF: Diocese of Springfield (MA)
POSITION TITLE: Chief Financial Officer
NUMBER OF YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION: 5
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Duties:
Oversee the financial administration of the diocese, provide strategic leadership and stewardship of its financial resources. Responsible for financial planning, budgeting, accounting, investments, treasury, risk management, insurance, audits, and financial reporting, while ensuring compliance with civil and canon law, applicable accounting standards, and diocesan policies. Oversee the Diocesan Facilities Maintenance and Human Resources Departments. Advise the Bishop, support diocesan ministries and parishes in financial matters, while working to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the diocese in support of its pastoral mission.
Accomplishments:
- Launched diocesan credit card program.
- Published financial statements on our website for the first time.
- Worked with Archdiocese of Boston to create an insurance protected cell.
- Reconfigured diocesan insurance program saving more than one million dollars without reducing insurance coverage.
- Oversaw annuitization of lay pension plan, which eliminated a multi-million-dollar liability for the diocese.
- In the process of rolling out a diocesan-wide cyber security program.
- Assisted in negotiating and facilitating the sale or lease of several diocesan properties generating millions of dollars in revenue.
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR BACKGROUND PRIOR TO WORKING FOR THE (ARCH)DIOCESE:
Prior to my employment with the Diocese of Springfield, I spent fifteen years working in higher education, serving various financial roles at three different colleges. In that time, I gained significant experience in not-for-profit finance, federal and private grant administration, financial planning, software implementations, facilities management, and human resource administration.
ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION:
My wife, Karen, and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary this year. We have four adult children and one grandchild. We are expecting another grandchild in September and another in late March. In my spare time, I enjoy studying scripture, and spending time with the family God has blessed me with.
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, ETC.:
I hold a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from Western New England University and am a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Massachusetts.
PARISH/CHURCH AFFILIATIONS:
I am a parishioner at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Springfield, MA.