Director elected to national post

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Kevin H. Hickey, executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, Inc., was recently elected chair of Catholic Charities USA’s Council of Diocesan Directors. His appointment will take effect at Catholic Charities USA’s conference in Alexandria, Va., taking place from April 2-3.

Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is the national office for Catholic Charities agencies nationwide.

The Council of Diocesan Directors allows Catholic Charities directors from across the country to provide input and coordination between Catholic Charities USA and local agencies and directors. The council also provides leadership development to its members, and perspective and opinion to Catholic Charities on the formulation of new programs and advocacy positions.

Hickey has been executive director of the Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Camden for the past 12 years. Prior to assuming his current position, he was director of Catholic Charities in Memphis, Tenn., from 1997 to 2002.

He has has held social work positions in South Dakota, Chicago, West Virginia and Connecticut. As executive director of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Camden, which comprises the six southern counties of New Jersey, he leads a staff of 80.

In the past year and a half Catholic Charities has been heavily involved in Hurricane Sandy relief and recovery efforts. In the first 30 days of relief operations Catholic Charities served 15,000 people affected by the storm. On an annual basis, Catholic Charities serves more than 32,000 New Jerseyans.

Recently, the agency was one of 85 non-profits in the United States awarded a VA grant to prevent homelessness among veterans.

Hickey was recently conferred the papal honor Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice by Pope Benedict XVI. Also in 2012 Hickey was selected by his United Way agency peers as executive director of the Year for Atlantic County, and honored by Building ONE New Jersey as the Moral Leader of the Year for 2012.

He is a graduate of The University of Chicago and St. Louis University.

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