The Finance office has the responsibility of supporting and assisting the bishop in the stewardship of the temporal resources needed to carry out the mission of the Diocese. It fulfills this responsibility by seeing that the resources of the Catholic Center offices, as well as those of the parishes, schools, and Diocesan-affiliated entities are administered in a prudent manner in accordance with church law. It also includes onsite evaluations of the financial practices of parishes and schools to ensure their assets are properly safeguarded, that proper internal controls are in place, and that there is compliance with Diocesan financial policies.
This page includes:
David Zaleski, Chief Financial Officer
david.zaleski@cc.cdom.org;
(901) 373-1296
Patti Morris, Controller
patti.morris@cc.cdom.org;
(901) 373-1233
Trish Shipe, Assistant Controller
trish.shipe@cc.cdom.org; (901) 373-1227
Cynthia Steele, Accounts Payable
cynthia.steele@cc.cdom.org;
(901) 373-1241
I. Standards of Responsible Financial Policies in the Diocese of Memphis
The best practices for financial management have evolved from our goal to be responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to the Diocese of Memphis. The following discussion allows us to describe our beliefs and standards of behavior.
Our Conflict of Interest Policy requires:
Disclosure of any personal or financial conflict of interest,
Holding the interest of the Diocese of Memphis foremost in dealings on behalf of the Diocese, and
Not to use privileged information for gain.
In our Confidentiality Agreement all parties agree not to disclose sensitive and confidential information without the consent of an authorized party.
We have chosen EthicsPoint, an independent third-party company, to administer our Ethical Misconduct reporting system.
Parishioners, employees, vendors may report observations of misconduct and remain anonymous if desired.
Responsible managers will investigate reported incidents and respond to the person reporting the concern. The system documents the report and action taken.
We have implemented a records retention schedule which is consistent with the guidelines of the U S Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and is found in the Parish Accounting Manual.
Budgeting and Financial Reporting guidelines are described in the Parish Accounting Manual.
Budgets are prepared annually and reviewed by the parish finance council.
Budgets are prepared using the standard chart of accounts.
Budget comparisons to actual are prepared monthly and reviewed at least quarterly by the parish finance council.
II. Means of Financial Oversight
Duties and responsibilities of the Finance Council of the Diocese of Memphis are recorded in the revised Statutes of 2008. The Council is the financial advisor to the Bishop as defined by canon law. Annually the Council submits a statement to the metropolitan archbishop certifying it has executed it responsibilities. The Council works through certain committees.
The Audit Committee:
recommends the audit firm to engage, monitors the progress of the audit, accepts the annual report, and hears any concerns of the auditors.
The audit is a consolidated audit of all diocesan activities other than Catholic Charities and Diocese of Memphis Housing. However, these entities are also audited by the same audit firm as is the Diocese.
The audit firm also makes recommendations for improved financial management.
The Banking, Investment, and Facilities Committee:
Updates the Diocesan Investment Policy objectives and parameters and monitors compliance by diocesan investment managers through the investment advisor.
Collaborates with staff with banking relations and optimum debt structure.
Monitors compliance with the Diocesan Construction, Expansion, and Major Renovation Policy.
The Budget Committee:
Reviews and assists with completion of an operating budget for the Central Administration, diocesan high schools, Jubilee Schools, and Cemeteries.
Monitors compliance with annual budget.
Employee Compensation and Benefits Committee:
Recommends and monitors employee benefit policies in the Diocese of Memphis.
By utilizing these committees the Finance Council is able to:
Approve the central operating budget
Approve the annual financial report
Communicate with the audit firm
Monitor investments
Approve diocesan assessments and transactions requiring Finance Council approval by canon law.
The annual financial report coupled with additional financial information is presented to the public via the diocesan website. Go to Annual Report.
III Financial Practices in the Diocese of Memphis
All bank accounts and investment accounts must be recorded on the general ledger.
At the Catholic Center all purchases greater than $1,500 must be approved by requisition.
Spending limits are in place for all diocesan personnel.
A Clergy and Religious Remuneration Policy stipulates the compensation and benefit levels.
Collection and cash counting procedures as well as other financial policies and procedures are included in the Parish Accounting Manual.
Parishes in the Diocese follow a standard chart of accounts.
The Diocese created a regional controller position to assist parish financial staff with compliance with proper internal controls and best practices.
The parish council and finance council are integral to assisting the pastor with sound financial management.
At this time, the Diocese does not accept cryptocurrency.
A Diocesan Finance Council is required by canon law in every diocese The members of the DFC provide advice to the diocesan Bishop about financial matters affecting the diocese. The Memphis DFC meetings are attended by the Bishop, the Vicar General, the Moderator of the Curia, the Judicial Vicar/Chancellor, six appointed priests, and ten lay people who are expert in financial affairs and civil law and are appointed by the Bishop. The Diocesan CFO and Controller also attend all meetings. The Council meetings occur every other month on the last Thursday at 3:30pm and is chaired by the Bishop appointed Chair Person.
Within the DFC, there are four subcommittees which can meet outside of the full DFC meetings to conduct business and then report back to the full DFC and in turn make recommendations to the Bishop. All lay members and appointed priests make up the subcommittees and the subcommittee chair is one of the lay members and is appointed by the Bishop. The subcommittees are:
Per canon law 1277 and 1292, there are instances where the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis must obtain the consent of the Diocesan Finance Council and the College of Consultors prior to taking action. These events are called Acts of Extraordinary Administration and are outlined below. The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis adheres to this decree.
To review the full Canon law sections 1277 and 1292, see Acts of Extraordinary Administration under the Canon Laws on the Diocesan Finance Council section below.
Joe Evangelisti, Council Chair, serves as an Executive Vice President with First Horizon Bank, which is headquartered in Memphis, one of the largest banks in the southeastern US. His 40 plus year career with First Horizon includes leadership positions in National Accounts, International Banking, Credit and Operational Risk Management and Chair of a Corporate Governance Committee. He currently leads the Financial Technology partnership initiative for the bank. He has served as a member of the Finance Council since February of 2008. He is also a Knight Commander in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Joe’s current term ends June 30, 2028. joe.evangelisti@cc.cdom.org
John Bossier retired from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where he managed the university’s Employee Health and Safety programs. He and his wife, Angelique, are parishioners at the Catholic Church of the Resurrection, where he served on the Parish Council for 10 years, and currently serves as the Chair of the Finance Committee. He is a member, and Past Grand Knight, of Knights of Columbus Council 10327. John’s term began July 1, 2021, and will run through June 30, 2026. john.bossier@cc.cdom.org
Christy Cornell is Vice President, Wealth Management with Raymond James & Associates, and has been a financial advisor for 20 years. She received both her Executive Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Memphis. She is a lifelong community volunteer and has served on the following non-profit boards: Diocese of Memphis Housing Board, Habitat for Humanity, Christ Community Healthcare, Junior League of Memphis, Hope House, Thrive Memphis, as well as on the Pastoral Council and other positions as an active parishioner of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Christy and her husband Steve Knott live in midtown, and have three children. Christy’s term began July 1, 2021, and will run through June 30, 2026. christy.cornell@cc.cdom.org
Justin Haag is the Director Corporate Accounting at Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA), a public REIT that owns and manages multifamily homes across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. He received his degree in accounting and finance from Indiana University and began his career with PwC in Chicago. Justin and his wife, Cristina, have three children and live in Midtown. His term runs through June 30, 2028. justin.haag@cc.cdom.org
Ross Harris is the CEO of A3 Freight Payment, a business process outsourcing firm for freight payables. Ross has previously served in other executive roles in that industry including CFO for U.S. Bank’s PowerTrack division and Executive Vice President of AIMS Logistics. He is a CPA and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. He received a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Christian Brothers University and a Master’s degree in economics from the University of Memphis. Ross was appointed to the Diocesan Finance Council in November 2011 and his current term ends June 30, 2026. ross.harris@cc.cdom.org
Jim McMahon, Chair of the Budget Committee has a degree in accounting and finance from Marquette University and began his career in public accounting with Arthur Andersen & Co. in Chicago. He joined ServiceMaster initially as VP Internal Audit, then as VP of Financial Planning & Analysis and moved to Memphis to serve as Sr. VP & CFO of Terminix. After leaving Terminex in 2003, Jim served as Sr. VP & CFO for the Trauma Division of Smith & Nephew before joining American Residential Services in 2006 in a similar role. In 2015 Jim was recognized as CFO of the Year by the Memphis Business Journal. Jim serves on numerous boards in Memphis, including Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis, The AutoZone Liberty Bowl, the CFO Advisory Committee for ALSAC, and Ave Maria Nursing Home. Jim has served on the finance council since November of 2006. Jim and his wife Denice live in Germantown, TN and have two children. Jim’s current term runs until June 30, 2027. jim.mcmahon@cc.cdom.org
Tom Scherer, Chair of the Revenue, Banking, Investment & Facilities Committee, has retired from ServiceMaster where he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Tom is currently the Co-Chair of the Investment Committee and Treasurer for the Assisi Foundation of Memphis and the Chair of the Investment Committee for St. Agnes Academy/St. Dominic School. He also served on the Diocese of Memphis Development Board from 1997 until 2006. Tom was appointed to the Diocesan Finance Council in June 2006 and his current term ends June 30, 2026. tom.scherer@cc.cdom.org
Ali Sinkular has a background which encompasses over 25 years of accounting experience primarily in the public accounting sector, including eight years with a national firm and 11 years with a regional firm. She joined Reynolds Bone & Griesbeck in 2014 and currently serves as the firm’s Partner in-charge of the Accounting and Auditing practice. Ali is a graduate of Delta State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accountancy and has significant experience in auditing a variety of entities such as, non-profits, private schools, colleges and universities, private foundations, manufacturing and distribution entities, employee benefit plans and real estate. Her affiliations include memberships in the AICPA, the TSCPA and she is also a member of the Board of Directors and the Vice-Chair for Momentum Nonprofit Partners. Ali’s term began July 1, 2021, and will run through June 30, 2026. ali.sinkular@cc.cdom.org
Jesse Turner, Jr., Chair of the Compensation and Benefits Committee, serves as Manager of Pension Investments for Shelby County Government. He retired from the former Tri-State Bank of Memphis, where he was President and CEO for over 25 years. Jesse received M.B.A. and B.S. degrees from the University of Chicago. He is a lifelong parishioner of St. Augustine Catholic Church, where at intervals he has served on the Pastoral Council and the Finance Council. He has served on many civic and community boards. Jesse and his wife, Joyce, have 4 adult children. Jesse’s term began July 1, 2023, and will run through June 30, 2028. jesse.turner@cc.cdom.org
Msgr. Victor Ciaramitaro
Fr. Dexter Noblefranca
Fr. Fausta Odinwankpa
Fr. Mathew Panackachira, M.C.B.S.
Deacon Greg Thomas, deacon.greg@holyrosarymemphis.org
January 23, 2020 Fin Coun Agenda
January 28, 2020 Fin Coun Agenda
February 27, 2020 Fin Coun Agenda
September 24, 2020 Fin Coun Agenda
March 25, 2021 Fin Coun Agenda
September 30, 2021 Fin Coun Agenda
January 27, 2022 Fin Coun Agenda
December 1, 2022 Fin Coun Agenda
January 26, 2023 Fin Coun Agenda
March 30, 2023 Fin Council Agenda
May 25, 2023 Fin Council Agenda
November 30, 2023 Fin Coun Agenda
January 25, 2024 Fin Coun Agenda
September 25, 2024 Fin Coun Agenda
