From Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda
I am pleased to announce that William (Bill) Lentsch, a long-time resident of this Archdiocese, has accepted my invitation to become our first-ever Chief Operating Officer. Bill comes to the Archdiocese after serving in various roles at Delta Air Lines over the past 30 years, most recently as Chief Customer Experience Officer. The hiring of Bill is an important step forward for Project Isaiah, our wide-reaching effort to improve organizational operations, structures and efficiencies in the archdiocese so we might proclaim more effectively and credibly the Gospel in word and deed through vibrant parish communities, quality Catholic education, and ready outreach to the poor and marginalized.
Having served with Bill on the Board of Trustees of the Saint Paul Seminary and Saint John Vianney College Seminary, I have come to know him as a man of deep faith, dedicated in generous service to God, family and others. He is an exceptional manager and a well-respected leader.
Those who have worked closely with Bill describe him as a servant-leader who listens deeply to others to assess challenges and weigh multiple points of view as he collaborates with others to make the best decision possible. I believe Bill has the humble faith, right skills, steady temperament, and real-world outlook to help the Archdiocesan Catholic Center staff continue its improvement in organizational health and effectiveness, begun last year.
As Chief Operating Officer, Bill will work closely with me, Bishop Cozzens, Father Charles Lachowitzer and our talented staff of lay women and men, to better serve our priests, parish staffs and other Catholic entities in the 12-counties of the Archdiocese. I want to thank all who assisted in bringing Bill on board. Project Isaiah Director Tim O’Malley led a search committee and a selection team that identified Bill as our top choice from a field of over forty highly qualified candidates.
In particular, I thank:
Mr. Bill Dubbs of Williams Executive Search and Mr. Pat Walsh of KornFerry, who co-chaired the search committee,
Ms. Anne Cullen Miller, President of the Catholic Community Foundation,
Mr. Peter Scherer, President and CEO of Scherer Brothers Lumber Company and a member of the Archdiocesan Finance Council/Corporate Board,
Ms. Therese Coons, Director of our Synod process,
Mr. Doug Milroy, retired CEO, and a member of the Project Isaiah team,
Ms. Eileen Bock, Archdiocesan staff member assigned to the Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment,
Ms. Nicole Mamura, Archdiocesan staff member assigned to the Office of Communications,
Father Lenny Andrie, Pastor of Saint Therese Parish in Deephaven,
Father Charles Lachowitzer, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, and
Bishop Andrew Cozzens, Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General.
Over the next couple months, Bill will transition out of his duties at Delta, spend some quality time with his family, and then begin his role with the Archdiocese in October. Bill grew up in a large Catholic family in St. Paul, has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Technology and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas. Bill and his wife, Kate, are members of Assumption Parish in Saint Paul, and have been active supporters of the Catholic schools in this Archdiocese, particularly the schools where they sent their four children (Our Lady of Grace, Benilde-St. Margaret’s, Visitation and St. Thomas Academy).
Please join me in praying for Bill as he begins working here in our local Church.
I encourage you to read Bill’s statement here.
