Howard Craig Named Provincial Assistant for Advancement

Howard Craig

When this opportunity became available, it was literally a spiritual experience because I suddenly realized I had been preparing for the past 13 years to do this job... I am profoundly grateful to have this opportunity to work directly with and for the Jesuits in service of their mission and the mission of the Church ~ Howard Craig

The Midwest Jesuits of the Chicago-Detroit and Wisconsin Provinces have named Howard Craig as the new provincial assistant for advancement, effective July 1, 2014.

As the two provinces move toward unification by 2017, Craig succeeds David McNulty in the Chicago-Detroit Province and Daniel O’Brien in the Wisconsin Province. McNulty will continue to serve the Midwest Jesuits in the areas of strategic planning and finance, and O’Brien will continue in the area of advancement.

Since 2001, Craig has served in executive leadership roles at O’Meara, Ferguson, Whelan, and Conway, Inc., a financial services and development counseling firm that helps Catholic organizations build fiscal strength and independence. During his tenure, Craig designed, implemented, and managed more than 100 successful capital stewardship campaigns in local parishes and dioceses.

In the Midwest, he oversaw a $95 million capital campaign for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and a $112 million capital campaign for the Archdiocese of Detroit. Most recently, his focus has been a $350 million capital campaign for the Archdiocese of Chicago to raise support for Catholic education and parish ministries.

“When this opportunity became available, it was literally a spiritual experience because I suddenly realized I had been preparing for the past 13 years to do this job,” said Craig. “Through my consulting and connections, I have become very familiar with the Jesuits and their schools, parishes, retreat centers, and ministries. I am profoundly grateful to have this opportunity to work directly with and for the Jesuits in service of their mission and the mission of the Church.”

Craig was selected to lead the advancement efforts of the Midwest Jesuits following an extensive national search overseen by Jesuit Fathers Thomas Lawler, provincial of the Wisconsin Province; Walter Deye, acting provincial of the Chicago-Detroit Province; and Brian Paulson, incoming provincial of the Chicago-Detroit Province who will serve as provincial of the Midwest Province when the two existing provinces come together by 2017.

“We are delighted to welcome Howard Craig to our leadership team during this important time in the life of the Society of Jesus,” said Fr. Thomas Lawler. “He is a dedicated Catholic who embraces our mission and will help ensure its future.”

In addition to his advancement experience, Craig enjoyed a 20-year career in Christian ministry, including 13 years as a missionary in Thailand. Following his missionary service, he developed management and communication expertise as the executive vice president for Guaranteed Marketing Solutions (GMS). As chief operations officer for GMS he grew the company from a start-up to $12 million in annualized revenue before joining O’Meara Ferguson.

Howard and his wife Cheryl enjoy spending family time with their five daughters and six grandchildren. His hobbies include fishing, camping, and model railroading. He also has served as vice president of the American-Thai Foundation for Education, a non-profit organization that promotes higher education in Thailand.