Now that I’ve been at CFC for a few weeks, the most common question I’m asked is, “What are your plans for Catholic Family Center?”
I’ve known for many years that CFC has a strong, positive reputation in the Rochester community, and I’ve always respected the work and leadership of Carolyn Portanova. One of my main jobs as the new President & CEO will be to preserve her legacy, and CFC’s good reputation in the community. My plans are to help us continue her great work, as well as build upon it in the future.
I also plan to do a lot of listening in the coming months. I’ve already had the opportunity to meet many of the CFC staff, and some of Rochester’s community leaders. I’ve learned so much already about the great work they do, and I am looking forward to hearing more about how we can improve upon our service delivery, and continue collaboration to help the poor and vulnerable in our community.
Before accepting the position as President & CEO of Catholic Family Center, I spoke with my family about their feelings on what would be a big change for all of us. Our family has lived in the same house in Penn Yan for the past 15 years, and I knew my accepting a position in Rochester would require us to move away from the home where our children grew up. Our 20 year-old daughter, Brooke, responded by saying, “Dad, family is not about a house…it’s wherever we are.”
Just like my daughter so eloquently put it, I’ll add that: The CFC family is not about who’s the new President & CEO, but it’s about all of the employees and our commitment, passion and dedication to superior outcomes.
Rochester has always been a community I love, and I’m excited to move my family here. Most of all, I’m eager about the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and talented group of individuals, and to learn more about how we can make the Rochester community a better place, together.
In closing, I’d like to share a favorite quote: Jean Baptiste Lacordaire said, “Neither genius, fame, nor love show greatness of the soul. Only kindness can do that.”
