People of God in Southern Ohio,
I am overjoyed to announce the final member of our senior leadership team of the diocesan staff: Mark Priest will join us as canon for finance and operations beginning full-time on December 1st.
Canon Mark joins our staff with decades of experience in religious and nonprofit financial management, including within our own diocese. From 2006-2017, Mark served Christ Church Cathedral as Chief Financial Officer, working closely with diocesan staff just next door. Most recently, Mark has served for eight years as VP of Finance and Operations for Springer School in Cincinnati. His previous service has included roles with St. Ursula Villa school, Paycor, Inc., Convergys Corp, and GE Capital. He is a thoughtful, mission-driven leader with experience managing large endowments, leadership transitions, capital campaigns, and team development. Systems-minded but people-first, Mark shares our belief that our operations exist to serve our mission, not the other way around. Mark, who has two adult children and a granddaughter, lives in Fort Thomas, Kentucky with his wife, Leanna.
As canon, Mark will lead the finance and operations team of our diocesan staff, supervising and working alongside Erick Williams, receptionist; Kelly Whitaker, bookkeeper; and Susan Byrnside, who has been promoted from senior accountant to controller.
Between now and December 1st, Mark will be wrapping up his responsibilities at Springer School while stepping into his new role in our office. He will be with us at our diocesan convention in Hamilton, November 14 and 15, and will begin attending meetings and onboarding to our processes and finances. His email address will be mpriest@diosohio.org.
Please join me in enthusiastically welcoming Canon Mark back to the Diocese of Southern Ohio and into his new role on our staff!
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Kristin Uffelman White
Bishop
Diocese of Southern Ohio
