CHARLOTTE — Ray Paradowski recently retired after 24 years of service as a board member and later chairman of the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte.
During his last board meeting in August, he was recognized with thanks by Bishop Peter Jugis, the foundation board, and Jim Kelley, foundation president and diocesan development director.
Paradowski joined the foundation board in 1999 and became chairman in 2006. The foundation’s assets and number of endowments have increased significantly under his leadership. In 1999, the foundation held 33 endowments and $3.7 million in assets. Now, it has 349 endowments and over $85 million in assets.
“Ray is an extraordinary leader,” said Kelley. “He has always answered the call to serve – not only working with the foundation, but at his own parish, Sacred Heart in Salisbury, helping to lead six capital campaigns and leading the building committee that helped Sacred Heart move to its current property. Ray has established an endowment for his parish in the foundation. Still leading and giving back at the age of 90, Ray is an inspiration to us all.”
Succeeding Paradowski as chairman is Joe Gigler.
The foundation, established in 1994, is a vehicle for people and organizations to offer direct support to the diocese and its many entities and bolster the long-term financial stability of the diocese as a whole.