Susan B. Hardaway, CFO, Announces Retirement Date

Mrs. Susan B. Hardaway, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Diocese of West Texas for 31 years, has announced her intention to retire on December 31, 2022. A native of Uvalde, she was hired as the diocesan Financial Secretary by Bishop John MacNaughton in 1991 and was promoted to CFO by Bishop Folts in 1998.

Bishop David Reed expressed deep gratitude for her many years of service. “Doing anything for 31 years is remarkable, and to work in a demanding job for four different bishops in a rapidly changing church with frequently changing professional expectations and standards…well, that’s amazing. Through boom times and recessions, church growth and decline, revolutions in technology and communication, financial stability and economic uncertainty, Susan has remained devoted to her work, and to being a faithful steward. She’s often the last one to leave the office in the evening, and I’ve seen her working way too many Saturdays and holidays.”

Susan plays an integral role in building the yearly diocesan budget and is a good steward of all monies entrusted to the Diocese. As a CFO, she works closely with the diocesan Treasurer, diocesan staff, and the Finance Committee to prepare and present the annual budget to the Executive Board for consideration before being submitted to the diocesan Council for adoption. She ensures all diocesan employees are paid accurately and takes care of all HSA and compensation contributions. Susan also assists in the planning for Council, works the clergy registration, sets up the church delegate table designations, and ensures the Dispatch of Business runs smoothly.

She is also responsible for the financial activities and records of The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, The Episcopal Church Corporation in West Texas, The Episcopal Church Foundation in West Texas, Budget Fund weekly monitoring, Financial Statements preparation, Monthly Department and Ministry Financials, Apportionment Calculation by church, discretionary funds, invoice approvals, bank reconciliations. This role assists outside auditors with the activities of each Diocesan entity, in addition to keeping the Diocesan Treasurer updated on the financial status of the Diocese.

Vision 2000 was one of the largest and most memorable projects Susan worked on for the diocese. Bishop Folts launched this expansive project which created Mustang Island Conference Center, included updates to Camp Capers and TMI, and raised funds for seminarians. Susan worked after hours to ensure all of the projects remained on track. Looking back, she can’t even begin to count the number of building projects she was a part of, but this one remains one of her favorite projects.

The Bishop noted that during his tenure, Susan put in many extra hours as the Diocese tried to manage the economic impact of COVID on congregations, working to support churches, while at the same time, making constant adjustments to the diocesan budget. “She was tough in those hard conversations when we didn’t know what the ultimate effect of the pandemic would be. But she was also professional, fair, and ultimately compassionate. I think her two primary concerns were that the Diocese not jeopardize longer-term mission and ministries for the sake of short-term relief, and that diocesan and church employees not lose their jobs. Also, of lasting significance to the Diocese is that she played a significant role in figuring out an ‘income stream’ by which we can start and sustain church plants.”

“It’s been a pleasure to serve the diocese and we are very blessed to be in West Texas,” Susan shared. "What I’ve loved the most is getting to meet the incredible people that make up our diocese at different churches we’ve visited, Pre-Council and Council meetings, and other events. Those relationships are what I'll miss the most.” Her role at the diocese also exposed Susan to the national church and opened up opportunities to serve organizations all over the country such as Province VII Youth, Conference of Diocesan Executives (CODE), and the Episcopal Business Administrators Conference (EBAC).  

“Susan has given so much of herself to this indispensable work for so long. I’ll miss her personally, and the Diocese will certainly miss her dedication and professionalism,” the Bishop said. “But how can we not be happy for her as she lays down the weight of her office and looks toward what the Lord has in store for her next?”

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The job posting of this important role of the Diocese will be released in September.