Print Issue: June 20, 2002

Cathy Hood Named Secretary Of Human Resources For Archdiocese

By Rebecca Rakoczy, Staff Writer

ATLANTA - Cathy Hood has been hired as secretary of human resources, a new position within the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

A native Atlantan, Hood is the former director of human resources at the Atlanta law firm of Smith, Gambrell and Russell. She has a BBA in human resources management from Georgia State University.

In her role, Hood will oversee personnel, policies and procedures, benefits and payroll. Benefits and payroll were formerly under the finance department at the archdiocese, separated from human resources and personnel. The restructure will put these departments under one umbrella.

The three department heads are Michele Hanlon, personnel manager, Wendi Weigel, benefits, and Joanna Pa, payroll.

"I want to make it a smooth transition for everyone involved ... I am very much a person that cares about individuals who make up an organization," Hood said.

Hood is presently overseeing the implementation of a new background investigation company that will be used for volunteers and employees for the archdiocese of Atlanta. The new company, ChoicePoint, will start July 1. All prior employment reference checks will be done internally. All archdiocese employees of schools, parishes and agencies, as well as volunteers, are required to have a background check before serving in any capacity for the archdiocese.

In addition, Hood said she is currently working on plan changes for health benefits that will include two new optional health insurances. She is also in the process of putting together an archdiocesean newsletter for employees, that will feature updated information on benefits, payroll and personnel, as well as a feature employee of the month.

"We will be about total customer service, anything related to our benefits, pension, life, medical and dental, or if people have questions about new positions, status of positions or general personnel matters," she said.

Hood has worked for the past 20 years in the law firm environment, the last decade as a human resources manager, she said. She was with Smith, Gambrell and Russell for the past two and a half years.

Married to Randy Hood, she has two sons - Greg, 19, and Tyler, 4. Greg is a a freshman at Clayton College and State University.

She and her husband have been active as Boy Scout leaders for the past 13 years, starting their scouting career at St. John the Evangelist in Hapeville. Her son, Greg is an Eagle Scout.

She is a Sunday School teacher, serves as missions committee chairman, sings in the choir and is a member of the pastor-parish relations committee at New Hope United Methodist Church in Lovejoy.

An avid outdoors person, she enjoys fishing, boating and swimming with her family; indoors her favorite hobbies are cross-stitching and scrapbooking.

For questions about hiring practices or policies, you may contact Hood at (404) 885-7227, or by e-mail at chood@archatl.com.