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Chief Operating Officer Appointed to Diocese
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July 18, 2022Bishop Wack has selected David Ell for the position of Diocesan Chief Operating Officer (COO). In his role, David will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Pastoral Center, as well as assisting Bishop Wack with strategic planning for the diocese.
David is a retired U.S. Army colonel who served in multiple leadership roles during his 28-year career in the military, which included Chief of Staff for NATO-Training Mission Afghanistan managing efforts for five NATO organizations representing 19 different nations. Most recently, David served as COO of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Orlando, where he was responsible for strategic planning, harmonizing efforts across all ministries and synchronizing operational and financial requirements to align with the goals of Catholic Charities of Orlando. He is noted as a transformation leader, team builder, mentor and coach, strategic planner and program manager. Over the years, he has helped those organizations he has served and those who have served alongside him and those under his supervision to achieve success. As COO of Catholic Charities of Orlando, he felt a deep sense of purpose in daily enacting the corporal works of mercy across the nine counties that make up the Diocese of Orlando.
Having been raised in Ft. Walton Beach and attending St. Mary Catholic School, David and his wife Carolyn are excited about returning to the Emerald Coast of Northwest Florida and particularly serving the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. David will begin his work as COO on August 15, 2022.
