The Most Reverend Kevin Vann, Bishop of Orange, has named Hank Evers, a veteran executive with decades of communications experience, as Interim Director of Strategic Communications at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange while a search has been initiated for a new Director of Strategic Communications.
Evers currently serves as Director of Development and Communications for the Orange Catholic Foundation and will maintain that role while he leads the Diocese of Orange Office of Communications. His first day as Interim Director of Strategic Communications was August 13, 2018.
“The Lord has blessed me with an opportunity to use my many years of communications experience both in the secular and the Catholic sectors to serve Him and the Diocese of Orange as the Interim Director of Strategic Communications,” Evers said. “This is an exciting and historic time for our Diocese and I feel enormously blessed to be part of its ongoing progress and growth.”
He joins the Diocese as Catholics across Orange County prepare to celebrate the dedication of Christ Cathedral on July 17, 2019.
Evers fills the role left by Ryan Lilyengren, who served as Communications Director for six years. Lilyengren stepped down from his position at the Diocese to join the Irvine Company, where he will become Senior Director of Communications.
“Supporting the mission of the Diocese has been a true blessing and a gift from God,” Lilyengren said. “We have accomplished so much under the faithful and strategic leadership of Bishop Vann. Bishop Vann has been an inspiration to me personally and professionally and I will carry with me the lessons and inspiration imparted through all the years of my life.”
Diocesan officials thanked Lilyengren for his work, commitment and dedication to the Diocese, and the Catholic community in Orange County.
“Ryan has been instrumental in leading our communication efforts in one of the most transformative periods of the Diocese,” said Msgr. Stephen Doktorczyk, Vicar General, Diocese of Orange. “His guidance in directing communication strategies and management of the Office of Communications has indeed been outstanding.”
“We are blessed to have Hank join our team and lead our communications efforts,” Doktorczyk added.
Evers will head the Office of Communications while a search is conducted for a Director of Strategic Communications.
Before joining the Orange Catholic Foundation, Evers managed the multinational sales and marketing efforts at Pioneer Electronics, Sony, Thales Avionics, and M.C. Gill Corporation. Locally, he created entrepreneurial success while managing the operations of Doan Law Firm based in San Clemente. He has also served as the volunteer director of public relations for the California State Council of the Knights of Columbus and served on the board of St. Edward the Confessor Parish School.
Evers is youngest of 12 children. He and his wife, Lori, enjoy spending time with their four children and five grandkids.
