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new executive administrative assistant to the bishop appointed

Mrs. Elizabeth A. Nussbaumer, a member of St. Bernard Parish in Albers with many years of experience as an administrative assistant, has been appointed as the new Executive Administrative Assistant to Bishop Edward K. Braxton, effective January 20, 2010.

Bishop Braxton, commenting on the appointment, said, “I believe that Elizabeth’s background, professional history, and strong Catholic faith have prepared her well for the many diverse responsibilities that she assumes on managing the Office of the Bishop. I am grateful to her for accepting the position. I am confident that we will work well together for the good of the Church.”

She brings more than twenty-five years of secretarial and office management experience to her new position. She was the Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Marketing and Finance at Ralcorp Holding, Inc., Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Engineering at Midcoast Aviation, and Administrative Assistant to the Senior Director of International Marketing at Anheuser-Busch for twenty years.

The Bishop’s Office has been without an Executive Administrative Assistant since August, when Mrs. Karen Costello was forced to retire unexpectedly for reasons of health. Ms. Costello’s daughter, Ms. Carol Costello, filled in as an interim Administrative Assistant. Bishop Braxton said that “the search took a considerable amount of time because, in addition to superior office management and secretarial skills, the position requires a person of great discretion, extraordinary patience, and a strong commitment to the Catholic faith.”

Elizabeth, who now goes to daily Mass at the Cathedral, commented that her first weeks have been very interesting, enjoyable and quite busy. “My first weeks in the Bishop’s Office have been very enlightening to say the least. I had no idea of how involved and complex the day to day life of the Bishop was. He is required to move quickly from one project to another, working at his residence and at the Chancery. I have enjoyed meeting the people who work at the Chancery and at the Pastoral Center as well as meeting the priests on the Presbyteral Council. Working on Parish Visitations, Confirmation schedules, and a Pastoral letter on the suffering in Haiti is very different from my work at Anheuser-Busch. But I definitely feel that this is where I should be at this point in my life. I am anxious to learn whatever is necessary to provide Bishop Braxton with the best possible assistance.”

Elizabeth’s husband, Kenneth, is an attorney at Donvan, Rose, Nester and Joley, P.C. Their daughter, Lana is a student at Mater Dei Catholic High School. Elizabeth enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, hiking, reading, and working out. She likes music, especially jazz and classical music and she enjoys animals. At one point she had a horse, a cat and a dog, and now she has only a cat named Carmen. She expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to work in a position in which she works so close to the Church, allowing her to learn more about her Catholic faith.