Official from St. Paul nonprofit is new head of rural life conference

Published: 2008-04-02

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) -- James Ennis, director for a St. Paul-based affiliate of the national Food Alliance organization, has been named the new executive director of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, effective April 14. His appointment was announced by Bishop Ronald M. Gilmore of Dodge City, Kan., who is president of the conference. "We look forward to Jim Ennis' professional experience, business skills, and faith experience to help NCRLC apply the teachings of Jesus Christ for the social and economic development of rural America," said Bishop Gilmore. The rural life conference, with headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, takes an advocacy role for family farmers and rural communities across the United States. Ennis succeeds Holy Cross Brother David Andrews, who left last May after 13 years in the post. He planned to go on a sabbatical and enroll in studies at Chicago Theological Union. Ennis negotiated to remain in St. Paul, where he will work out of office space on the University of St. Thomas campus. He will spend some of his time with the conference's staff in Iowa.

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