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Contact: Jacob Luecke
Director of Communications
jluecke@diojeffcity.org  
573-635-9127

Contact: Ashley Wiskirchen
Sr. Director of Communications
awiskirchen@cccnmo.org
573-658-0094

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JEFFERSON CITY — Dan Lester has announced his resignation from the position of Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri. The Diocese of Jefferson City and the agency’s board will now begin a search for his replacement.

“Dan Lester led Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri through a time of positive change and expansion. Dan’s generous leadership and his spirit of mercy have helped Catholic Charities grow in its ability to follow in Christ’s example as we work to serve the needy across the many communities of our diocese,” said the Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson City. “As we thank Dan Lester for his leadership, we also now begin the search for the next executive director who can continue to build on this progress and inspire Catholics to even greater acts of service in our communities.”

During Lester’s more than six-year tenure as executive director, Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri opened a new headquarters and food pantry in Jefferson City. He also helped grow the agency’s ability to act as a center of mercy, establishing new services for those need and greatly expanding the organization’s work with refugees.

“On behalf of the board and staff of Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri, I would like to thank Dan Lester for his service and leadership. Today, our organization is helping more people than ever — and we are in a great position to build on that success as we look to the future,” said Mike Maag, President of the Board of Directors for the Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri. “Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri has an ambitious vision for how we will continue to demonstrate Christ’s love and grow our works of mercy. We look forward to our search for a new executive director who will help us make this vision a reality.”

Lester will continue to lead the agency in his current role through April 7.

“I would like to thank Bishop W. Shawn McKnight, our board, staff, volunteers and all our donors for their generous service and support during my tenure as executive director,” said Dan Lester. “It has been an honor to lead this organization. While it is difficult to leave, I have great confidence in the team and support we’ve built at Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri. I look forward to seeing this agency continue to grow and thrive in its service to those in need.”

Watch for information about the search for a new executive director at diojeffcity.org and cccnmo.diojeffcity.org.

Led by Bishop W. Shawn McKnight, the Diocese of Jefferson City is home to more than 90 Catholic parishes, serving 75,000 Catholics in 38 counties. Learn more at www.diojeffcity.org.

Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri is the social services outreach arm of the Diocese of Jefferson City, serving those in need regardless of faith, culture or situation. The agency is affiliated with Catholic Charities USA. Learn more at cccnmo.diojeffcity.org.