Communication director to conclude tenure
Episcopal News Service. June 25, 2008 [062508-01]
Canon Robert Williams, who in July will mark four years as senior director in the Episcopal Church Center's Communication Office, has chosen to step down from this position effective August 15, Chief Operating Officer Linda E. Watt announced June 25.
"It has been a great privilege to collaborate with Bob and his colleagues in efforts to focus church communications in new directions reflecting the fast pace of change in modes of public discourse," Watt said. "He has been a tremendous asset to the whole church, especially as an innovative and sensitive leader at a time of significant transition."
Plans call for naming an interim director and the subsequent selection of a successor through a search process that consults widely with communication stakeholders across the church, Watt said.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori accepted Williams's resignation on June 25.
"I am sorry to see him go," Jefferts Schori said. "Bob has been a vital part of the leadership team at the Church Center, and I have counted him a friend and a colleague since my election in 2006. Bob has given abundantly of his talents in leading the Communications work into a new level of excellence. I wish him well in his next chapter of ministry."
"I move forward with gratitude, especially for our staff team and its strides in strengthening the delivery of online, print and media-relations resources," Williams said. "My role from the outset has been to help the Communication Office consolidate operations into new infrastructure. With this accomplished, I now seek to devote more time to family and to new pursuits."
Williams said that later this year he will consider new work, possibly in media and fund development, ideally specializing in poverty relief and international education.
While at the Church Center, Williams managed major initiatives including establishing daily Episcopal News Service (ENS) postings via the enhanced Episcopal Life Online website and the wider Episcopal Life Media group. He oversaw the formation of Episcopal Books and Resources (EBaR) by merging former retail and fulfillment operations now anchored by the Church Center's new bookstore-café. Other projects focused on website redesign, advertising, translation services, and the consolidation of media relations work in the Church Center's new Office of Public Affairs.
Williams, 47, served as one of the Episcopal Church's principal spokespersons, notably during the 2004 Windsor Report release, the Anglican Consultative Council's 2005 meeting in Nottingham, the 2006 General Convention at which Jefferts Schori was elected Presiding Bishop, and the Anglican Primates' 2007 meeting in Dar es Salaam.
Williams was named communication director in 2005 by then Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, who in 2004 appointed him acting director of the department, and a member of the Church Center's senior management team. Williams came to the Church Center as ENS director after 18 years on the staff of the Diocese of Los Angeles where he was communication director from 1993 to 2004 and earned a master's degree in print journalism from the University of Southern California. He remains an honorary canon of L.A.'s Cathedral Center of St. Paul.
As editor of the Lambeth Conference's daily newspaper in 1998, Williams gained experience that will assist in interpreting events of this summer's similar gathering in Canterbury. During these coming weeks, Williams will remain in New York to oversee ongoing Church Center communication operations through mid-August.
"It has been an honor to work with my Church Center colleagues and in support of the Executive Council -- and especially in service of two Presiding Bishops and two chief operating officers," Williams said. "I also wish every success to the diocesan, seminary, parish, and interfaith communication professionals with whom I have had the pleasure of working these past 22 years."