FCC Names Full-Time Manager
to Maintain Accreditation Program

     The Florida Catholic Conference’s search for a full-time accreditation program manager concluded recently when James Herzog emerged as the leading candidate for the position.

     Mr. Herzog will be relying on his professional experience as a communicator, counselor and instructor to effectively maintain the FCC accreditation program for the 204 K-8 Catholic schools within the seven dioceses of Florida and the Diocese of Savannah, GA.  Prior to assuming his new position Aug. 1, he worked as communications coordinator for the Tallahassee-based Aging with Dignity, a national nonprofit entity. He also has served as an academic and career counselor for students, preparing people with disabilities for the marketplace and co-teaching classes at Gulf Coast Community College on goal-setting and motivation.

     “I look forward to building upon the rich tradition of the accreditation program that has served our elementary Catholic schools so well for decades,” Mr. Herzog said. “It is gratifying to know that our students are the beneficiaries of efforts to ensure a baseline of quality for our schools through accreditation.”

     Larry Keough, associate for education at the FCC, said Mr. Herzog’s eclectic base of organizational, communication and education-related skills will bode well for him as the program manager.

     “We are pleased that James is aboard,” Mr. Keough said. He added that the position has evolved into a full-time role when considering the number of school that are accredited and the implementation of the “School Improvement Plan” model, which places greater emphasis on outcome-based results than traditional inputs.  Mr. Herzog will work closely with the 14–member FCC accreditation committee, a group that includes Catholic school superintendents and administrators, along with representatives from state or regional education agencies and an Episcopal Moderator (currently Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito of the Diocese of Palm Beach).

     Mr. Herzog’s professional responsibilities will include but not be limited to assembling accreditation/visitation teams, maintaining a database of team members and chairpersons, keeping records of school accreditation status within a seven-year cycle, updating the program’s website and helping with a variety of other program needs.

     His educational background includes a Master of Arts in Counseling from Franciscan University of Steubenville, and a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Florida State University.  Mr. Herzog is also a husband and father. He and his wife Cathie have two children.  The Herzogs are active members of the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More parish in Tallahassee.