FORT WALTON BEACH — Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida Inc.'s board of directors has hired Christopher Root as the nonprofit's president and CEO.
Root has served as Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Lansing's department head for 11 years. There, he oversees adoption, foster care, behavioral health counseling, substance abuse, adult day care, soup kitchens, food pantries, a warming shelter, clothing and personal-needs programs, an immigration law clinic, refugee resettlement, housing for disabled adults, transitional housing, and assistance with rent and utilities. He also established a medical and educational mission in Guatemala.
Root has a Master of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, both from Michigan State University.
"Christopher has a deep-seated Catholic faith, wide breadth of social programming knowledge and a strong managerial track record that makes him the right choice for Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida," a spokesperson with the nonprofit said. "He is highly regarded for his ability to develop positive working relationships with priests, parishioners, donors, external funding sources, board members, agency staff, diocesan staff, elected officials and the general public."
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida names new CEO/president