PHOENIX (Dec. 3, 2009) — Bob Brown has been appointed to serve as interim CEO by the Catholic Charities Community Services Board of Directors. He steps in as Paul Martodam resigns as CEO of Catholic Charities Community Services to accept the position of CEO with Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Martodam began his career with Catholic Charities as assistant director of administration for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he served for 12 years. He became CEO Catholic Charities Community Services in 1993. Martodam returns to his native state to begin his duties on Jan. 1, 2010.

"I am excited to return to my home state and to my extended family as CEO of Catholic Charities in St. Paul/Minneapolis, and I know I leave this organization in good hands," said Martodam. "Catholic Charities Community Services is blessed with abundant and impressive leadership, including Kristen Schmidt, chief operating officer of 14 years and Bob Brown, interim CEO." 

Brown joined Catholic Charities Community Services in January 2008 as chief administrative officer when he felt a "calling" to give back to the community. After years in the corporate world, Brown wanted to apply his skills for strengthening organizations in a way that would enable him to make a real difference. Under his guidance, the organization centralized and streamlined many of its administrative processes to expand its ability to serve more people. 

Brown is honored and humbled to accept his new position as interim CEO.

"I want to accelerate the momentum gained under Paul's leadership and use it to effect systemic change by building a network of like-minded organizations and working with them to truly transform lives," said Brown. "It's not just about the number of people we serve—it is about how their lives are better because we were able to help them discover and foster the resources within themselves to permanently improve their situation."

Brown has a bachelor's degree in accounting from St. Bonaventure and a Master's of Business Administration from State University of New York. He is a member of the Business Advisory Council for the School of Business at St. Bonaventure University and a Board Member for the Franciscan Renewal Center. 

"Our agency would not be the successful and effective entity it is today without Paul's vision and leadership these many years," said Steve Lasswell, Catholic Charities board president. "I sincerely thank him and wish him the best. We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Bob's caliber in place to assume leadership in this transition, preparing us to expand our impact in Arizona as we further our mission to protect and nurture children, strengthen families and support people in crisis."

About Catholic Charities Community Services
Founded in 1933, Catholic Charities Community Services is one of Arizona's oldest social service organizations, serving people of all backgrounds and faiths with a diverse array of social services to strengthen families, protect and nurture children, and to support people in crisis. Impacting the lives of more than 80,000 people in central and northern Arizona every year, Catholic Charities Community Services is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Children and Family Services and is a member organization of Catholic Charities USA. To learn more visit CatholicCharitiesAZ.org.

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