A look at major career developments in the area.
Bishop appoints Cannella as chief financial officer
Bishop Erik Pohlmeier has appointed Brenda Cannella chief financial officer of the Diocese of St. Augustine. She succeeds Stephen R. Bell, who is retiring after 10 years of service to the diocese.
As chief financial officer, Cannella will serve as the bishop’s principal adviser on financial matters, guiding the stewardship of diocesan resources in support of the Church’s mission throughout North Florida.
Cannella brings more than 20 years of executive financial leadership dedicated to serving the Catholic Church.
Most recently, she served as chief operating officer of St. Joseph Financial Services, where she partnered with bishops, diocesan leaders, pastors and school administrators across the country to strengthen financial stewardship and organizational effectiveness.
Previously, she served nearly five years as chief financial officer of the Archdiocese of Denver. There, she led a multidisciplinary team responsible for accounting, parish finances, treasury, information technology, legal affairs and risk management, helping ensure the archdiocese's financial strength and operational excellence.
Hoh named dean of UF College of Medicine
Following a highly competitive national search, Brian Hoh, M.D., has been selected as the next dean of the University of Florida College of Medicine.
Hoh is a physician-scientist, educator and academic leader who has served UF for two decades, most recently as chair of the nationally recognized Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery and chief of medical staff at UF Health Shands Hospital.
As the largest of the six colleges within the UF academic health center, the College of Medicine plays a vital role in advancing the university’s mission through transformative education, groundbreaking research and exceptional patient care.
An internationally recognized leader in neurosurgery, Hoh has served as president of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, chaired major professional organizations and contributed extensively to advancing standards in patient care, research and education. He serves on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Neurological Surgery.
Feagins named WJCT Public Media president, CEO
WJCT Public Media, the independent, community-owned public media organization serving Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, recently announced the selection of Karen Feagins as its next president and CEO. She will begin her new role on Aug. 31.
Feagins is an accomplished leader with deep ties to WJCT. She held progressive leadership positions within the organization from 2005 to 2018, rising from the ranks of a daily news reporter and “Morning Edition” host, to overseeing WJCT’s content and operations and ultimately serving as chief operating officer. She transitioned into the private sector in 2018 as PNC Bank’s first client and community relations director for the North Florida market. During that time she remained connected to WJCT, serving for seven years on the Board of Trustees and volunteering on-air during pledge drives.
At PNC Bank, Feagins has been instrumental in growing the bank’s relationships with corporate clients and community partners. Notably, she has helped shape PNC’s local strategy for sponsorships and philanthropy, including the deployment of grant funding from the PNC Foundation to support such causes as the expansion of the Museum of Science and History’s early learning programs and the Jacksonville Symphony’s “Symphony in 60” concerts
Nemours appoints Patrice Harris executive vice president, CHIO
Nemours Children's Health has announced the appointment of Patrice Harris, M.D., as executive vice president and chief health impact officer (CHIO).
As CHIO, Harris will ensure the integration of Whole Child Health across all facets of the organization by partnering with clinical, operational, financial, strategy and advocacy teams to drive improvements in child and community health outcomes.
Prior to joining Nemours, Harris co-founded eMed, a digital health care company, where she most recently served as CEO. A board-certified psychiatrist, she brings distinguished experience as a practicing physician, county public health director and patient advocate.
Harris served as the 174th president of the American Medical Association, the first African-American woman to hold that position, and brings deep expertise in public policy on legislative and regulatory matters at all levels of government. She spent six years as District Health Director for Fulton County, Georgia, where she advanced meaningful improvements in children’s health at the population level with particular focus on integrated care, adverse childhood experiences and barriers to accessing care.
Straub’s 904 Home Watch accredited for fourth year
904 Home Watch has earned accreditation from the National Home Watch Association for its home watch services for the fourth year.
The NHWA was formed in 2009 to establish and maintain the highest industry standards for home watch and absentee homeowner services throughout the United States and Canada.
Owner Bob Straub earned a B.A. in economics from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Following graduation, he entered into a career in the retail business. It was there that he built his foundation for understanding the value of customer service and delivering on a promise. Over the last two decades, Straub has worked in the real estate industry in a variety of roles, primarily in the general brokerage and new home construction arenas.
In 2012, his family moved to Northeast Florida.
— Compiled by Shaun Ryan
