Ronald P. Schultz, executive director of general services for The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod since 1996, has accepted the appointment of the Synod’s Board of Directors to serve as chief administrative officer (CAO) of the church.
Schultz will start his new position April 16, taking over from Dr. Thomas Kuchta, vice president-finance–treasurer of the Synod, who has served as CAO on an inte
rim basis since the departure in 2003 of Bradford Hewitt, now a senior executive with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Schultz was elected by the Board of Directors (BOD) April 2.
As chief administrative officer, Schultz will serve the BOD in carrying out the responsibilities given to the Board by the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod. To that end, he will serve as the Board’s representative and staff person in synodical relations, administrative affairs, corporate compliance, and legal matters.
By virtue of his office, Schultz also will serve on the Synod’s Administrative Team, a group led by Synod President Gerald Kieschnick and including, besides the president and CAO, the first vice president, chief financial officer, and secretary.
Schultz said he realizes that “building relationships and managing business activities are important to the church, and I am humbled by this appointment. I certainly look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the Synod in this new capacity as together we focus on the long established mission of spreading the Gospel.”
Speaking for the BOD, Vice Chairman James E. Fandrey, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church, Elgin, Ill., said, “Ron Schultz demonstrated excellent aptitude and skills through his work record and r‚sum‚. His interview with the Board of Directors also indicated an attitude of confidence and humility, coupled with Lutheran convictions of faith.”
As head of the Synod’s general services department, Schultz has been responsible for providing many support services — travel and meeting planning, purchasing, facilities management, Rosters and Statistics, to name a few — to employees of the Synod’s International Center and to the larger LCMS.
Schultz held a similar position, director of operations, during the last four of his 13 years of employment at Concordia University, River Forest, Ill., prior to coming to St. Louis. A graduate of River Forest, trained as a teacher, he is on the commissioned-ministers roster of the Synod.
Nominations and applications to fill the position of executive director of general services will be sought in the near future.
Schultz and his wife, Janice, have three children — Sarah, Lauren, and Ryan — and an infant granddaughter, Madison. The family lives in Wildwood, Mo., and attends St. John Lutheran Church, Ellisville, Mo.
Schultz’s installation into office as CAO is scheduled for May 3 during the morning chapel service at the International Center.
Posted April 7, 2005
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