On Tuesday, September 10, the board of directors of the Cristo Rey Community Center announced the appointment of Joseph Garcia as their new Executive Director. He brings a blend of expertise, enthusiasm and personal standards of excellence to Cristo Rey Community Center (the Center). With over 15 years’ experience in executive leadership, team building, communications, operations management and fundraising, Mr. Garcia will provide the strong leadership, motivation and energy necessary to enable the Center to continue its strong tradition of providing bilingual (English / Spanish) ministry and services to Hispanics and people of all cultures in the Greater Lansing Area.
Mr. Garcia is the former Director of MBA Career Services at Michigan State University, and was regional supervisor and outreach specialist in Michigan for the Telemon Corporation, a non-profit agency in Lansing focused on the needs of local migrant and seasonal farm workers. He earned a dual Bachelor’s Degree – in Communications and Spanish – from Western Michigan University, and an MBA from Northwood University.
“I believe I have the right combination of professional and life experience for success as director of Cristo Rey Community Center” said Mr. Garcia. “As a former volunteer at Cristo Rey, I know first-hand how important The Center’s work is to the community. I welcome the challenge and the opportunity to put my experience to work for the benefit of those we serve.”
Lt. Noel Garcia, newly appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cristo Rey Community Center (no relation to new Executive Director Joseph Garcia) said “Joseph Garcia was selected by the Board of Directors’ search committee after an extensive selection process. We as a board are certain that Joseph will undoubtedly steer the Center to a path of success and strengthen the quality of service that the Center has provided to the greater Lansing area for years.”
“We are excited to have been asked by Bishop Boyea to take on the added responsibility of managing the Center as an agency of Cristo Rey Parish” said Fr. Frederick Thelen, pastor of Cristo Rey Church in Lansing, and the chief officer of Cristo Rey Community Center. “The Center has a very important ministry and responsibility in Lansing. With a new executive director, new board of directors, a great staff and excellent volunteers, we look forward to a great future for the Center.”
Most Reverend Earl Boyea, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing said of the appointment of Joseph Garcia “I am pleased to join Father Fred Thelen and board chairman Noel Garcia in welcoming Joseph Garcia. The Center has long played a vital role in ministry and service to the Hispanic community in Lansing and beyond. Under Mr. Garcia's leadership, the Center will remain a sign of the peace and the love of Christ for persons of all backgrounds and circumstances."