A Corp Board learns more about structural shifts in Administrative Services Group management
Interim President Ian Hall presents a direct report chart as well as a 2025 business plan
LOUISVILLE — The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation Board wrapped up its second day of online meetings Friday by approving a handful of actions proposed by committees as well as a 2025 business plan from Ian Hall, the interim president of the A Corporation.
Hall also presented the interim structure shown below, which indicates those who report directly to him and their areas of focus. Last month, the board named Hall, who was then Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, as interim president upon Kathy Lueckert’s retirement.
The Administrative Services Group, the workforce of the A Corporation, provides services including human resources, Ministry Engagement and Support, Global Language Resources, legal and risk management, and information technology to clients including the Interim Unified Agency.
Under the interim structure, green represents direct reports. Yellow describes new interim areas of responsibility, and blue relates to existing areas of responsibility.
“This is our interim structure. We also reserve the right to change this,” Hall told the board. “We are three weeks into the process. Over time there will need to be some tweaks.”
Hall also discussed the 2025 Business Plan. Four plan items affect the ASG directly:
ASG 1 — Support work of the Unification Commission, Interim Unified Agency, Unification Management Office and the Funding Model Development Team by providing information and analysis from Finance, Legal, Human Resources and others as required
ASG 2 — Select a new budget and forecasting software and develop an implementation plan
ASG 3 — Refine and implement methods of ensuring employee accountability for policies and required education/training compliance
ASG 4 — Support client partners in preparation for the 227th General Assembly (2026).
The 2025 plan includes about 40 additional tasks. Among them:
- Provide language access support for Presbyterian Youth Triennium, set for Louisville, Kentucky, July 28-31
- Reduce the number of domestic properties held by A Corporation
- For Ministry Engagement & Support to raise $25 million to support Presbyterian mission and ministry
- Conduct five GA226-mandated research projects as well as work identified by the Funding Model Development Team
- Redesign the US Congregational Mission Survey and relaunch its website.
“With everything that happened in the last few weeks and months with Kathy retiring, it would be accurate to say we refined the business plan with all those changes in mind,” Hall told the board. “It’s more stripped down than in the past. It’s a change in the organization to make the goals achievable, measurable and deliverable. It’s a good plan.”
Other business
The board voted to alter its 2025 meeting schedule to join the Unification Commission for a joint meeting at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville May 21-22.
Board members also approved a list of contract signers, authorized signers for accounts at PNC Bank, and the 2025 manse allowance.
The board held closed sessions both days to discuss personnel and property matters. On each occasion, the board rose from closed session and announced that no action had been taken.
Financial reports
A Corporation financial reports for the first 11 months of 2024 were included in the board packet but were not discussed during open session.
As of Nov. 30, 2024, the A Corporation had total assets of $761 million, a $74 million increase compared to the comparable prior year period. Total liabilities were $24 million, up by $3 million compared to the comparable prior year period. Total net assets increased during the period by $71.2 million.
Income was $101.3 million for the first 11 months of 2024, $40.8 million over budget. Expenses were $70.8 million, $11 million under budget. The change in net assets was $30.5 million, $51.8 million above budget.
Total income was more than budget primarily due to year-to-date unrealized market gains on investments, according to the budget documents.
Compared to budget, contributions for the period were $4.3 million over budget. Gifts, bequests and grants were $4 million over budget. Special giving was over budget by $3.6 million due to increased Presbyterian Disaster Assistance receipts (up by $4.7 million) offset by fewer Extra Commitment Opportunity receipts, down by $1.1 million. Special Offerings receipts were about $55,000 below budgeted.
Compared to the budget, the investment return was $37 million greater than the budget because of unrealized gains on investment. The investment return is $30.2 million greater than in the same period last year because the market gains on investments were greater in 2024 than in 2023.
Total expenses for the first 11 months of 2024 were $11 million less than the budget and $5.3 million more than last year’s expenses. Salaries and benefits were $2.3 million below the budget due to position vacancies.
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