Dear Friends in Christ,

I am delighted to announce that after a search process, we are welcoming a new facilities director to Saint Philip’s in the Hills along with a couple of smaller but important changes.

Facilities Director

Mike Italiano comes to us with a substantial background in facilities care and management. He is also keenly aware of the nuances of historic preservation as well.

As he settles in, he will assess the needs around the campus, facilities staffing, and processes relating to projects, scheduling, and budgeting. He has already been in dialogue with members of Preservation and Endowment and Buildings and Grounds. He started in the office already and has hit the ground running.

Mike joins the team bringing 30 years of hands-on building, renovation, and project management experience. One of four children, growing up in Detroit, Mike started off in the auto industry but soon found his passion for construction and woodworking. Over the years honing this craft, Mike eventually formed his own building and remodeling company serving his community.

Later opportunities include large commercial property maintenance, project management and working in historical preservation. Mike is also an avid outdoorsman, enjoying camping, hiking, and nature exploration. A recent relocation from Tampa back to the Tucson area, has presented this opportunity for Mike to share his skills and knowledge here at Saint Philip’s.

One small change that he and I have already decided on is that he and I will walk the campus together each week to look at how things are progressing and to spot any new issues that need attention.

I am grateful to Kiki Cheney, Liz Wood, John Bremond, Michael Anderson, John Waszczak, and other lay leaders who helped bring this process to a successful conclusion.

Room Scheduling

For the next month, if you need to schedule rooms, we ask that you contact Mo Owen in the office as she will handle room reservations in the short term as Mike settles in and we determine the best way to manage those reservations in the longer term.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t also say a word of thanks to Ayden and Maria in particular as they have taken on additional work through the facilities transition.

Communications

Another person whose role is expanding is Kate Appel. She has been serving as a program assistant for Children, Youth, and Family Ministries. Her portfolio is expanding a bit to help cover in-house graphic design and editing needs.

As we recognize that no one communications person can handle the myriad tasks that come with that role, we are dividing some pieces of it into more manageable and focused roles that utilize the strengths of a few people rather than overloading one person.

We find an increased need for communication and print pieces to help new members find their way and to help both long-term, and new people navigate the sometimes complicated calendar and range of programs and ministries here. These are expensive projects to outsource and I am delighted that Kate is willing to lend her design skills to this needed work.

Mo will continue the great work she is doing keeping our Bell and Tower newsletter up to date and engaging, and Kiki will continue the parishioner interviews and managing Daily Bread.

I hope you will join me in welcoming Mike and in thanking Mo, Kate, Ayden, Maria, and Kiki for the ways they have jumped in during this transition!

—Fr Robert