Finance Council and Committee’s Charter

Ex Officio Members:

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas

Rev. Mark Mertes, Moderator of the Curia

Rev. John Riley, Vicar General and Chancellor

Ms. Carla Mills, CPA, MBA, Archdiocesan Chief Financial Officer
Office Phone Number: (913) 647-0315

Mr. Christopher Arth, Archdiocesan General Counsel

Ms. Beth Coleman, CPA, Archdiocesan Accounting Director
Office Phone Number: (913) 647-0305

Ms. Lisa McKelvey, Archdiocesan Stewardship and Development, Director

Rev. Anthony Ouellette, Chair of the Clergy Advisory Committee – Archbishop’s Call to Share

Mr. Ben Clouse, Board President Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas

TBD, Deposit and Loan Board of Trustees Liaison: 

Members by Appointment of the Archbishop:

Ms. Julie Newmaster, Finance Council Chairperson: Owner, Julie Newmaster, CPA. Performs audits of public and nonpublic companies, prepares financial statements and budgets and reports to Boards of Directors, develops policies and procedures for accounting systems, software set-up and training, and prepares and reviews income tax returns. 2nd Term ends January 2026. Email: jdnewmaster@sbcglobal.net

Finance Council Chairperson’s Contact information: Contact Message

Mr. Stephen Clifford, Audit Committee Chairperson:  Chief Operating Officer for PBI-Gordon Corporation with experience in operating, leading, advising, and auditing businesses ranging from private, high-growth, and private equity-backed companies to Fortune 500 companies. 2nd Term ends May 2025  Email: sclifford@pbigordon.com

Mr. Steve Franke, Investment Committee Chairperson:  Registered Investment Advisor with Atwood & Palmer, Inc with 25 years of investment experience. 2nd Term ends January 2027  Email: sfranke@atwoodpalmer.com

Ms. Stephanie Whitacre, Budget Committee Chairperson:  Director at BKD, CPAs and Advisors in the Not-for-Profit, Higher Education and Public Sectors assisting clients in identifying best practices, implementing new accounting standards, internal control reviews, financial reporting and management dashboards. 1st Term ends November 2026  Email: stephanie.whitacre@forvis.com

Mr. Rick Enna:  CFP and owner of Enna & Associates with 30 years of planning, investment, insurance and advisory services. Business experience prior to Enna & Associates, included 5 years in public accounting specializing in tax and 2 years as the controller of a privately held company. 1st Term ends November 2027  Email: rick@ennaaa.com

Ms. Brandi DiGiorgio:  Chair of the Assurance and Business Advisory Department, instrumental in the development and implementation of the assurance process used by the MarksNelson team. 1st Term ends January 2024  Email: brandi.digiorgio@gmail.com

Mr. Ken Hager:  Retired public company Chief Financial Officer with experience in finance, accounting, auditing and board experience in both the for profit and not for profit sectors. 1st Term ends February 2030

Mr. Hamp Henning:  Financial Advisor, Baird Financial Group 1st Term ends January 2027

Ms. Teresa Kempf:  Financial Advisor, Franchise Owner, one-on-one financial advice based on goals and needs, personalized recommendations for a diversified portfolio, and solutions to help protect from uncertainty, regular meetings to review goals, progress, investments and more. 1st Term ends January 2025

Ms. Nancy Mellard:  Executive Vice President and General Counsel for the Benefits & Insurance Services Division of CBIZ, Inc. Has responsibility for all legal matters. Thirty-five years of experience in the insurance industry. 2nd Term ends January 2026

Mr. Stephen Penn:  Managing Partner of KPMG’s Kansas City, Missouri office, responsible for the strategic direction and growth of the office. Has 30 years of experience delivering professional audit and attestation services to large public and private clients, which includes internal control and operational matters. 1st Term ends January 2025

Ms. Ann Petersen:  National Bank Examiner, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, evaluate bank activities and management processes to ensure that banks operate in a safe and sound manner, do not take excessive risks, and comply with laws and regulations. Retired. 1st Term ends January 2028

Ms. Chelsey Ryerson:  Controller for Superior Bowen, oversees all aspects of the construction company’s financial activities, including financial reporting, internal controls and forecasting. Prior to entering the private sector, she spent 8 years as an auditor in public accounting with a primary client base of nonprofit and religious organizations. 1st Term ends May 2026

Ms. Karla Schartz:  Retired with tax, accounting, audit and consulting services experience with business owners on succession planning, growth and income taxes. 1st Term ends January 2025

Ms. Beth Soukup:  Chief Financial Officer for JE Dunn Construction Company, overseeing planning, implementing, managing, and controlling all financial-related activities of the company. Spent 28 years as an auditor in public accounting prior to JE Dunn Construction Company. 1st Term ends January 2027  

Mr. Jeff Tauscher:  Attorney with experience in tax law, corporate law, and estate planning.  Previously served as general counsel for local IT company and was responsible for all legal matters. 1st Term ends November 2028  Email: jatauscher@msn.com

Finance Council Meeting Agendas:

Updated:  August 26, 2024