Robert E. Leech Re-elected President/CEO of

 Presbyterian Foundation

Jeffersonville, IN (July 3, 2008) – The 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) in San Jose, California, June 21 to June 28, 2008, confirmed the re-election of Robert E. “Bob” Leech to his third four-year term as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Presbyterian Foundation.  Leech, a lifelong Presbyterian, ordained elder and deacon joined the Foundation in 2000 after more than thirty years in the banking industry.

In a unanimous vote with special commendation for his exemplary leadership honoring the Foundation’s role as fiduciary to the PC (U.S.A.), Leech’s re-nomination was approved in Committee and then reconfirmed by the Commissioners on the floor of the General Assembly session.

Gratified by the confirmation, Leech expressed his enthusiasm for serving another term:  “Since taking over the leadership of the Foundation in 2000, I have been continually moved by the generosity of Presbyterian churches and individuals around the country who rely on the Foundation to manage their accumulated resources to further the mission and ministry work of the PC (U.S.A.)”   He continued:  “Over the last five years, the generosity of faithful Presbyterians throughout the United States has enabled the Foundation to make available more than $381 million for the mission and ministry of the Church.”

A vital part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) serving in its role as fiduciary, the Foundation cultivates, attracts, and manages financial resources of individuals and institutions to serve Christ’s mission.  

In 2007, the Presbyterian Foundation made $84.3 million available for mission, an increase of $5.8 million from 2006.  Additionally, in 2007, new gifts and accounts amounted to almost $50 million, including $10.8 million in endowment funds.

For over two hundred years, the Presbyterian Foundation has served the Church in this capacity by exploring innovative ways to fund Christ’s mission.  As one of the largest religious foundations in the United States, the Presbyterian Foundation provides an opportunity for Presbyterian churches, institutions and individuals to affect positive change in the world with their accumulated assets in accordance with their Presbyterian principles and values.

The Presbyterian Foundation and its subsidiary, New Covenant Trust Company, N.A., stand as an enterprise of hope and service, accountable for over $1.9 billion in charitable endowments, life income plans, trust and investment management accounts.

For more information about the Presbyterian Foundation, contact Barbara Juckett or visit www.PresbyterianFoundation.org.