Archbishop Sample Appoints Gary Hanifan as Chief Operating Officer

The Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon is pleased to announce that Archbishop Alexander K. Sample has appointed Gary Hanifan as Chief Operating Officer, effective Monday, April 27, 2026. In this role, he will help lead the Archdiocese’s administrative and financial operations in support of its 147 parishes and missions, 40 schools, and numerous ministries and offices.

Gary brings nearly three decades of senior leadership experience in global operations and strategy. He began his career with Andersen Consulting and retired from Accenture in 2019 as Senior Managing Director in its Operations Strategy Practice. Over the course of his career, he has led complex operational transformations for major international organizations, particularly during periods of significant change such as mergers, restructuring, and growth. 

His experience spans North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and includes work with leading global companies as well as public sector and nonprofit organizations. He has also contributed to thought leadership in his field, with work published in Harvard Business Review, and has presented internationally on operations and strategy.

Gary, his wife, and their two sons are parishioners at Our Lady of the Lake in Lake Oswego, where they are active in a number of parish ministries and apostolates. The Archdiocese invites all to join in welcoming Gary and to pray for him as he begins this important role in service to our local Church, which is home to more than 442,000 Roman Catholics in western Oregon. 

Gary succeeds Jo Willhite, who will retire as Chief Administrative Officer after more than fifteen years of faithful service. The Archdiocese expresses deep gratitude for her steady leadership and generous service, and invites all to join in giving thanks and praying for her as she enters this well-deserved retirement.