Introducing Our New Chief of Staff

Dear friends,

I am very excited to announce that Ted Gobillot has accepted my call to assume the new position of Chief of Staff beginning later this month. Ted is well-known to our congregation as a faithful leader and gracious presence. Over the years, he has served and helped lead a wide variety of ministries at SJD, including as our Senior Warden in 2022. It was a joy to work alongside Ted in that role wherein I was the great beneficiary of his wisdom, leadership, and passion for this parish and our vision for the future.

With the announcement at the beginning of the year of Suzanne Boué’s planned retirement as Chief Operating Officer, I engaged several lay leaders in contemplating fresh possibilities for the structure of our staff. I believe this new executive-level staff position is an important next step in realizing our hopes for the coming years. As Chief of Staff, Ted will be a trusted advisor to me and the senior manager who oversees the planning, structures, and resources SJD needs to succeed in the pursuit of our strategic vision. He will also be responsible for managing the staff and operations of the parish, enhancing team performance, assessing needs, and evaluating progress on goals and objectives while ensuring strong collaboration between the staff and lay leadership.

Ted has a distinguished 34-year legal career providing counsel to energy companies. Currently, he is in-house counsel for Diamond Offshore Drilling. Ted received his Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University, where he also played basketball and soccer. He earned his law degree from the University of Texas. Ted is married to Lori, and the Gobillots are beloved and deeply committed members of the parish with three children, Emma, Joe, and Lindsay, who grew up at SJD.

In the coming days, we will have an opportunity to pause and give thanks to God for the ministry of Suzanne Boué as our Chief Operating Officer. She is one of the most competent and dedicated staff members I have served with, and I know you will join me in bidding her many blessings in her transition as well as her continuing ministry at SJD. For now, I wanted to inform you of this important new position for our staff and parish and invite you to welcome Ted into this significant ministry role!

- Leigh