September 4, 2007

Catholic foundation announces new trustee

Buffalo attorney Thomas R. Beecher Jr. is the newest member of the board of trustees for the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. He joins 16 other members in making responsible and professional decisions regarding the financial management of funds that support the work of the Catholic Church in the Buffalo diocese.

“The Foundation is so fortunate to have such a diverse and distinguished board of trustees,” said David J. Kersten, executive director of the Foundation. “We are honored that Mr. Beecher has joined our board and we look forward to working with him and learning from his vast experience and expertise.”

Beecher, counsel to Phillips Lytle LLP, has a bachelor of arts degree from College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Mass., and a doctor of jurisprudence degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law. His resume includes many professional and community associations as well as a collection of distinguished awards.

Some of Beecher’s current activities are serving as chairman and president of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, lead director of Albany International Corporation, and member of The Catholic Lawyers’ Guild. He is also founder and secretary of the BISON Fund and a member of both the American Bar Association and the Bar Association of Erie County.

He has been honored by four local Catholic institutions of higher learning. In 2002, St. Bonaventure University presented Beecher with the Gaudete Medal for exemplifying the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. He also was recognized by Trocaire College, Medaille College and Canisius College, where he was the recipient of the Distinguished Citizen Award.

A Buffalo resident, Beecher and his wife, Judy are members of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Buffalo.

The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo is a non-profit entity that acquires, administers and distributed funds to benefit the educational, religious and charitable needs of the diocese. It serves Catholic education, Catholic Charities, Christ the King Seminary, St. Joseph Cathedral, parishes, ministries and Catholic organizations.

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