Mark Roth, vice president of the First National Bank of Liberal for 16 years, was recently named full-time director of development for the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City by the Bishop John B. Brungardt. Roth will begin his ministry Dec. 16.
“We are pleased to have a native son of the diocese as our new full-time director of development,” stated Bishop Brungardt. “Mark brings a wealth of experience to assist parishes, institutions, and the diocese in extraordinary stewardship. We are thankful to the Catholic Extension Society and many generous and sacrificial donors for providing resources for this expansion to our development efforts.”
Roth is the immediate past state deputy for the Knights of Columbus. As a state officer of the Knights of Columbus, he attended Kansas Catholic Conference gatherings where he met with the Kansas bishops, sharing thoughts and ideas, and listening to their input. His new job will be an extension of those efforts in getting out into the communities, sharing ideas and listening to others, all with the intent of growing a financial base on which parishes and other Catholic entities can thrive. He sees his new position as a way to live out his Catholic faith more. “I’m very excited to get started and get out and meet people and to get involved,” Roth said.
Roth anticipates spending a lot of time on the road visiting with schools, parishes, endowment boards, Knights of Columbus councils, and other groups across the diocese. He will also visit with potential donors, assist with estate and planned-giving presentations; and write grants. Part of his job will include helping diocesan entities — including schools, parishes, and members of the curia — develop strategies that will provide financial stability for all ministries of the people of the diocese. One of the first projects will be to implement a data base management system for the diocese.
   Roth, a native of Dighton, earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Newman University in Wichita. He has been married for 33 years to his wife, Lila, who was born and reared in Kinsley. They have two grown children, Philip, who is married to Kimberly and serves in the Air Force; and Amanda, who lives in Kansas City with her husband, B.J.