Bishop Richard J. Malone and Richard C. Suchan, executive director of The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, have announced Judy and Tom Beecher, Barbara and Jerry Castiglia, and Betsy and John Sullivan are serving as co-chairs of the "Upon This Rock" capital and endowment campaign.

The $100 million campaign is a historic initiative to reshape and strengthen the funding of key ministries and programs of the Church throughout the eight-county diocese.
Judy Beecher retired as the assistant director for administration and facilities at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in 2002, is currently a member of the Art and Archives Committee at the Buffalo Club, and recently served as a trustee of the Western New York Public Broadcasting System.

Thomas R. Beecher Jr., is counsel to the law firm Phillips Lytle LLP.  He is also chairman of Barrantys LLC, immediate past chairman of Ballynoe Inc. and chair emeritus of the board of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Tom is former chairman of the board of Buffalo General Hospital, Kaleida Health and Rand Capital Corporation. He is a founder and director of The BISON Children's Scholarship Fund. He is also a trustee of the Diocese of Buffalo Lay Employees' Pension Plan.

He is the recipient of the Army Commendation Medal, Lawrence D. Jacobs MD Award from the Multiple Sclerosis Society and one of Western New York's 100 Most Influential People in 2016 as published in Buffalo Business First.

Tom received the University of Buffalo Chancellor Charles P. Norton Medal (the highest honor given by the University at Buffalo) on May 9, 2010.  He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa (D. Litt.) by Canisius College on May 19, 2010.

Barbara Castiglia is a former teacher, librarian and art therapist. Barbara has served as a board member at Child and Family Services, and is currently a trustee at Hilbert College in Hamburg, a board member and volunteer at Bread of Life Outreach Center, and a member of the parish council at St. George in West Falls. She is a past recipient of the St. Augustine Father James Ruddick SJ Renaissance Award at NativityMiguel Middle School and volunteers as a librarian at the school's St. Augustine campus.

Jerry Castiglia retired as vice chairman, president and chief executive officer of Pratt & Lambert United Inc. in January 1996. A former officer in the United States Army, he is also a certified public accountant. Jerry is currently a trustee of Christ the King Seminary and the Diocese of Buffalo Lay Employees' Pension Plan, trustee emeritus of Canisius College, and a member of the Bishop's Council of the Laity, the Diocese of Buffalo and Canisius College investment committees, and the Catholic Health governance and strategic planning committees.

He is past chair of the Canisius College and Catholic Health board of trustees, and the annual Catholic Charities Appeal, and former vice chair of the board at Christ the King Seminary. Jerry has received an honorary degree from Canisius College and is a past recipient of the Curé of Ars Service Award from Christ the King Seminary.

Betsy Sullivan is marketing director at Buffalo Truck Center Inc. She serves on the board of trustees as grants committee chair of the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo as well as the BISON Children's Scholarship Fund. Betsy is also a member of the Sisters of Mercy Giving Circle and the Parents Guild at Sacred Heart Academy, and volunteers her time on numerous community non-profit committees.

John Sullivan is an owner of Buffalo Truck Center Inc., specializing in sales and service of Mack, Volvo, Isuzu and Hino medium and heavy-duty trucks in the city of Buffalo. He serves as advancement chair of Christ the King Seminary's board of trustees and continues to be closely involved with Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity. He also volunteers as a WINGS Flight of Hope pilot and serves as a deputy with the Erie County Sheriff Department's Aviation Reserve Division.

Betsy and John Sullivan have been actively involved with the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo in various roles, including chairing the Catholic Education Dinner in 2010 and serving as leadership members of the Bishop's Council of the Laity

More than $38 million has been raised to date through the generosity of major donors as part of the initial silent phase of the campaign, the participation of eight parishes that helped pilot the effort, and the early results from campaigns currently underway in a number of parishes throughout the diocese.  

"Upon This Rock" will be rolled out in all parishes in the eight counties of Western New York within the next 12 months.

For more information about Upon This Rock contact the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese at Buffalo at 716-847-8740 or visit www.UponThisRockWNY.org.