Br. David Andrews, CSC, Executive Director of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference (NCRLC) since 1994, resigned the position effective May 30, 2007. During his 13 years as executive director, Br. David added his remarkable touch to the long line of NCRLC directors who stood in solidarity with farmers throughout the world engaging directly in the pursuit of social, economic, and environmental justice. Under his forward-thinking leadership, Br. David embraced our globalized world through his support of the Agribusiness Accountability Initiative, the International Catholic Rural Association, and participating as an accredited NGO at U.N. summits and WTO ministerial meetings. He is now engaged in a well-deserved sabbatical year at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, while leading peace and justice work for his Congregation of Holy Cross.
While NCRLC searches for a new executive director, Timothy Kautza has been named Interim Executive Director. Tim has worked in environmental management and education for more than 30 years, primarily at national and international levels, and has extensive project management experience. Prior to joining NCRLC in 2001, Tim was employed by the international Soil and Water Conservation Society for 19 years and served as their Director of Program Development.
NCRLC President Ronald Gilmore, Bishop of Dodge City, Kansas, said the NCRLC Board of Directors expects to have a new executive director in place by the end of 2007. In announcing this change of leadership to NCRLC members, Bishop Gilmore affirmed the organization¹s continued commitment to a collaborative approach to justice in rural concerns internationally. "We will advocate at all levels for social, economic and environmental justice in rural concerns," he said, adding, "We will collaborate with other Catholic, ecumenical, interfaith and secular organizations at local, state, national and international levels."
NCRLC’s Board of Directors reaffirmed its commitment to continue to act as fiscal agent and co-sponsor of the Agribusiness Accountability Initiative (along with the Center of Concern, Washington, DC) at its recent meeting, June 1-2, 2007. The Agribusiness Accountability Initiative continues to be coordinated by Judith Pojda, Ph.D., with support from NCRLC policy coordinator, Robert Gronski, Ph.D. Br. David Andrews is well-known and well-loved by farm and rural communities around the world, and we wish him all the best in his new pursuits.
