Catholic Charities Fort Worth (CCFW) has selected Michael P. Grace as its newest president and CEO, replacing Heather Reynolds who left for a position with the University of Notre Dame.
“Michael wants to end poverty, knows what it takes to run a business, and knows how to leverage people to meet big goals,” says Paul Boyd, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operations Officer of CCFW.
Grace started with the organization on May 16.
Catholic Charities said in the announcement that Grace is a serial entrepreneur with 25 years of experience in business development and leadership roles in industries including oil and gas, social media, music production, mining equipment and food processing.
“Michael brings a deep Catholic faith and understanding of Catholic identity to this role – an important quality we were looking for in CCFW’s next CEO, said Donna Springer, board chair at Catholic Charities Fort Worth.
“Though Michael has amazing experience raising capital, I have to say the thing that struck me most about Michael from the moment we met was how comfortable he made me feel. He is warm and genuine, and you can tell right away how much he loves people,” Springer said.
Grace said in the news release that he was honored to “be a part of an incredible team that is walking that walk with those in need. Guided by my Catholic faith, the themes of Catholic social teachings, and the mission and strategy of CCFW, I look forward to serving those in need.”
Bishop Michael Olson of the Diocese of Fort Worth said that Grace has “lived out his Catholic faith through servant-leadership during many years of success in the world of business.”
Olson called CCFW one of the leading Catholic Charities and premier non-profit organizations in the United States committed to eradicating poverty one person at a time.
Grace began his career in his family’s business, Grace Machinery & Fabrication, where he was vice president of sales and marketing. He also served as a combat medical specialist in the U.S. Army.
Operating under MPG Ventures LLC, Grace left as co-founder and managing partner of Gulf Shore Venture Partners LLC, and consultant for Capra Foods LLC and Texas Aggregate Producers LLC.
Previous startup ventures include: Z Interactive, Virallock.com, MPG Entertainment and Blue Phoenix Midstream.
Grace also has been very involved in ACTS (Adoration, Community, Theology and Service) retreats for the past seven years as a team member and held various leadership roles, including director.