Bishop appoints new Catholic Charities Board Chairman, Vice Chairman 

Rick Kaplar, Linda McMahon depart Board after more than 51 years joint service

March 23, 2021

Bishop Michael Burbidge has appointed Ronald S. Riggins to serve as the new chairman and Kelly K. McKeague to serve as vice chairman of the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington Board of Directors, effective April 1. 

Riggins is succeeding Richard Kaplar, who has served as board chairman since 2011 and is departing the board. Member Linda McMahon, chairman from 2003-2011 is also going off the board, which she joined in 1991. She is the longest serving board member in Catholic Charities’ history.

“For three decades Catholic Charities has benefitted from and grown more than twofold with the extraordinary, visionary leadership of Rick Kaplar, first as a board member and then, since 2011, as chairman,” said Bishop Burbidge. “I am so grateful to both Rick and past chairman Linda McMahon, who are leaving the board after devoting more than 51 years of combined service to this charitable ministry that assists the most vulnerable throughout our diocese.”

“I am also heartened that board members Ron Riggins and Kelly McKeague will both serve as board chairman and vice chairman, respectively. I have great confidence that, through their partnership with President and CEO Stephen Carattini and by God’s grace, Catholic Charities will continue to deepen and expand its ministries to ensure those most in need receive the care and attention our faith compels,” he said.

During Kaplar’s chairmanship the board, then President and CEO Art Bennett, and Catholic Charities staff accepted his challenge and oversaw the doubling of its annual revenue from $8 million to $16 million in just six years, allowing it to dramatically expand services to include the Saint Lucy Food Project and founding the St. Margaret of Cortona Transitional Family and Maternity Housing and the Mother of Mercy Free Medical Clinics.

Riggins has served on the board for 12 years and chairs its Advancement and Communications Committee. McKeague chairs the Planning Committee and serves on the Governance Committee.

Riggins, a bank consultant, and owner of RP Financial LC has served on the board for 12 years. He and his wife Terry have three grown children and two grandchildren. They are parishioners at the Church of the Nativity in Burke.

“It is a blessing and a joy to be appointed to this role as Board Chairman,” Riggins said. “I have intensified my prayers over these last few days that I may serve according to the Lord’s will as we together serve those who are in great need, and that, in our service, we may reveal the heart of Jesus Christ throughout the Church and in the community.”

McKeague is retired from 34 years in the U.S. Air Force and works as a civilian for the Department of Defense. He and his wife Nancy are parents of four adult children and have one grandchild. They are parishioners at St. Rita, Alexandria.

“It is humbling and a privilege to serve Catholic Charities in this new role and to contribute to advancing all of its programs which help so many in need in so many ways,” McKeague said. 

Rick Kaplar

Retiring Board Chairman

Ron Riggins

 New Board Chairman

 

Kelly McKeague

New Vice Chairman