Board of Directors

Catholic Rural Life is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of clergy and lay persons, drawn from diverse backgrounds and representing different parts of the country.

Most Rev. Brendan J. Cahill, President

Bishop of the Diocese of Victoria, Texas
Victoria, Texas

 

Most Rev. Robert D. Gruss, Vice President

Bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw, Michigan

 

Mr. Emery Koenig, Treasurer

Retired Vice-Chairman and Chief Risk Officer, Cargill Inc.
Wayzata, Minnesota

 

Ms. Cecilia Calvo, Secretary

Senior Advisor on Environmental Justice, Jesuit Conference
Washington D.C.

 

Most Rev. John T. Folda

Bishop of the Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo, North Dakota

 

Most Rev. W. Shawn McKnight

Bishop of the Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri
Jefferson City, Missouri

 

Rev. Larry Snyder

Vice President, Office for Mission, University of St. Thomas
St. Paul, Minnesota

 

Mr. Julian Heron

Owner, Tuttle, Taylor and Heron
Washington D.C.

 

Mr. Kelly Spiering

Farmer and Owner, Spiering Farms
Powell, Wyoming

 

Mr. Max Becher

Director of Parish Social Ministry, St. Joseph Parish
Farmington, Maine

 

Dr. John Cuddeback

Author, Professor of Philosophy, Christendom College
Front Royal, Virginia

 

Sr. Esther Mary Nickel, RSM

Religious Sisters of Mercy
Saginaw, Michigan

 

Mr. Michael Hirt

Director of Member Relations, Land O’Lakes Inc.
Indianapolis, Indiana

 

Mr. Richard Coll, USCCB Observer

Director, Office of Domestic Social Development, USCCB
Washington DC