James Walsh
Bishop Larry Silva has hired a retired HMSA vice president and an active member of several local Catholic boards as the diocese’s new Director of Pastoral Planning.
James Walsh, a graduate of the University of Notre Dame who also has an MBA from the University of Hawaii, will step into the position March 3.
His job will combine the duties of the Diocesan Director of Parish Resources, a post formerly held by Sharon Chiarucci who retired at the end of 2013, and the continuing implementation of the diocesan strategic plan referred to as the “Road Map.”
Before he retired in 2009, Walsh had served for 10 years at HMSA as vice president for professional relations/advocacy and vice-president of provider services. He was also the administrator of several departments at Straub Medical Center for more than 20 years.
He is on the boards of the St. Francis Foundation and the Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation and is the chairman of the parish pastoral council of St. John Apostle and Evangelist Church in Mililani.
He is a former board member of Catholic Charities Hawaii which honored him with the Ulu Award for his distinguished service.
Walsh’s office will be at St. Stephen Diocesan Center.