Leader of Covenant Community Care to assume helm of Catholic social service agency Sept. 1
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — After a two-month search, Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan announced that Paul Propson will take over as its new CEO, effective Sept. 1.
The Catholic social service agency, the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Detroit, made the announcement Aug. 16.
Propson, 48, is the current CEO of Covenant Community Care, a nonprofit, faith-based community health center based in Detroit.
“After a thorough and prayerful two-month process, the search committee determined that Paul has the knowledge, skills and experience to bring CCSEM to the next level,” said Msgr. Chuck Kosanke, chairman of the nonprofit's board of directors.
The appointment of Propson gained the endorsement of Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, who serves as president of the board, the agency added.
Propson has served as CEO of Covenant Community Care for the past 12 years. During that time, he oversaw the care of tens of thousands of individuals each year, including thousands of children and adults who lack health insurance. Under his watch, the organization received awards from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for its top-notch care while working to expand access to care for Detroiters.
“I am delighted to join the team at Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, which has been active in dedicated service to the six counties of the Archdiocese of Detroit for many years,” Propson said.
Propson holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Michigan, an MBA from Eastern College of Pennyslvania, and a certificate from the UCLA Johnson & Johnson Health Care Executive Program. In 2014, he received the Eugene Miller Fellowship Award from the McGregor Fund, a private foundation that aims “to relieve the misfortunes and promote the well-being of mankind.”
He also is a board member of the Michigan Primary Care Association.
“As a Catholic growing up in this diocese, I have always dreamed of living my faith in service to the Church and to the community,” said Propson, who along with his family belongs to SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish in Sterling Heights. “Together with many others, I look forward to fulfilling Archbishop Vigneron’s call to unleash the Gospel through the work of Catholic Charities to provide compassionate, quality, professional services and support to people in need.”
Propson becomes the third CEO since Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan was formed in 2013 after a merger of six separate Catholic social service agencies in Metro Detroit.
He succeeds outgoing CEO Dave Bartek, who left the organization this summer. Maureen Brosnan, chair of the board of St. Mary's Hospital in Livonia, has been serving as interim CEO during the search process.
Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan serves more than 20,000 people each year in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, St. Clair and Monroe counties. The nonprofit has 14 locations with 170 professionals offering service in diverse disciplines, including adoption and foster care, behavioral health and substance abuse counseling, crisis pregnancy aid, Hispanic outreach services, services for senior citizens and family support services.
