FLORIDA: CRISTO REY TAMPA NAMES INTERIM PRESIDENT

by Terrie Dodson

(Tampa, Fla. – April 1) – Fr. Timothy Zak announced on April 1 that William J. Garrett has accepted the position of interim president of Cristo Rey Tampa, located on the campus of Mary Help of Christians Center, effective immediately. Mr. Garrett is the founding president of Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School and will also continue to serve there while that school conducts a search for his replacement. It was announced a week earlier that Charles D. Imbergamo, founding president at Cristo Rey Tampa since April 2015, is stepping down from his role. He has agreed to stay on and assist Mr. Garrett through June 30.

Mr. Garrett holds Master’s degrees in social work and business administration from Columbia University, as well as a Master of Theological Studies from Spring Hill College and is a deacon in the Catholic Church. He and his wife Susan have two adult children and two grandchildren.

“We are pleased that Deacon Garrett has agreed to join us to maintain continuity, assist in the search for a permanent replacement, and facilitate transition,” said Fr. Zak. “The Cristo Rey Atlanta school is one of the most accomplished in the Cristo Rey Network, thanks in large part to Mr. Garrett’s leadership. With the continued involvement of Mr. Imbergamo, we have great strength even while we are conducting our search.”

Cristo Rey Tampa is one of 35 schools in a network founded in 1996 that has enabled more than 15,000 students nationally from underserved, low-income communities to develop their minds and hearts to become society’s future leaders. Cristo Rey provides students a college preparatory education along with a unique four-year, integrated corporate work/study experience. Cristo Rey Tampa welcomed its first freshman class in August 2016 and next year will have expanded to all four high school classes. The Salesians sponsor Cristo Rey Tampa, ensuring that the school maintains a strong Catholic identity and mission and is also true to the Salesian charism.

“As we get my successor on board at Cristo Rey Atlanta and I begin to pull back from day-to-day operations, I look forward to spending my time and energy on Cristo Rey Tampa,” said Mr. Garrett. “Cristo Rey Tampa is making great strides establishing itself in the hearts and minds of the region. As the board searches for the appropriate replacement for Charlie Imbergamo, I look forward to working closely with the board members and the faculty, staff, students, and families. The work that we do collectively will change the trajectory of the lives of countless students and their families.”

Mr. Garrett has helped Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School build a campus for 500+ students and secured more than $5M in endowment over the first five years of the school’s history. Previously he served as the president of the Saint Joseph’s Mercy Foundation in Atlanta, where he was responsible for all fundraising activities for Saint Joseph’s Hospital and Saint Joseph’s Mercy Care Services. He has also worked for the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, serving at various times as vice president-campaign, chief operating officer, and senior vice president for community impact. Prior to that, he served as national director of development for UNICEF in the United States.