Transitions: Diocesan Personnel Assignments

Bishop Dorsey McConnell has made the following appointments in diocesan leadership and staffing:

The Rev. Canon Scott T. Quinn is now Interim Dean of Trinity Cathedral.  He will remain Rector of the Church of the Nativity, Crafton, where he has served since 1983. This appointment ends his nearly six years of service as Canon to the Ordinary under Bishops Johnson, Price, and McConnell, though he will continue to exercise the ministry of Canon Pastor. The duties of Canon to the Ordinary will be assumed by Archdeacon Jean Chess, with support from Canon Missioner Cathy Brall and Canon for Formation Jay Geisler.

The Rev. Timothy V. Hushion, who has been on the cathedral staff since early 2012 and priest-in-charge for the past year, becomes Vicar for the Cathedral.

The Ven. Jean Chess has been named Archdeacon and Director of Administration.  She will oversee, on a half-time basis, the day-to-day functions of the diocesan office and assist the bishop with clergy deployment. She is particularly charged with reviewing the communications infrastructure of the diocese, as well as our existing organizational design, to bring our administrative structures more fully in line with our mission. Thanks to the appointment of a diocesan administrator that is distinct from the Treasurer, as permitted by canon, Kathi Workman’s sole responsibilities will be diocesan finances.

The Rev. Ben DeHart has been named Diocesan Chaplain, providing regular visits to UPMC St. Margaret and “on call” pastoral care of Episcopalians from out-of-town or in situations where parish clergy are unavailable. Additionally, he will continue at St. Thomas, Oakmont, as Curate.

The position of Communications Director has been restructured. Rich Creehan, who has served in that capacity since 2008, now attends to a limited scope of projects assigned by the bishop. Rich will continue as media liaison and spokesman for the diocese.

Thanks to a grant from the Bishop's Fund, these changes are budget-neutral. 

“Each of these individuals, with their unique talents and gifts, has helped move the diocese through the period of rebuilding to where we are today. I thank them for taking on new challenges appropriate to the ongoing mission before us, and I ask you to join me in praying for God’s blessing on their work,” said Bishop McConnell.