CHICAGO, IL (March 12, 2014) — Paul Hawkinson has been named treasurer and executive director of finance for the Evangelical Covenant Church, it was announced today.
He has served as chair of the Covenant’s Pension Board, chair of the Swedish Covenant Hospital Board, vice-chair of the North Park Board of Trustees, and chair of the most-recent North Park Theological Seminary presidential search committee. In addition, he has served as an adjunct professor in finance and accounting at North Park University, and has done special projects related to Covenant Trust Company.
Hawkinson, 43, is a lifelong Covenanter. His family attends Libertyville Covenant Church north of Chicago. He was honored last year with the Swedish Covenant Foundation Spirit of Compassion Award.
Hawkinson earned a bachelor of accounting degree from North Park University and a master’s of business administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
He comes to the position from a successful tenure in the business world.
He was director of global automotive investment banking for Deutsche Bank, managing director of global automotive investment for Bank of America, and managing director for U.S. industrial investment banking for BMO Capital Markets before retiring in 2012.
Since then, he has been a general partner in the American Homeowner Preservation Fund, LP, a “start-up, socially responsible hedge fund in the distressed mortgage space.”
“I feel a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to serve the ECC in a role that leverages my life’s work while also encouraging my faith,” Hawkinson said. “I look forward to working alongside so many faithful partners in ministry as we continue to reimagine our approach to stewardship.”
“We are truly blessed as a denomination to have such strong internal candidates for leadership positions,” said Tom Sprague, chair of the finance committee of the Covenant Executive Board. “Paul has an incredible history and heart for service to the Evangelical Covenant Church. His gifts and background will help us to effectively and efficiently organize for mission.”
Hawkinson succeeds Dean Lundgren, who is retiring July 31 after 22 years of service.
This position is appointed by the president with the concurrence of the executive board.
What an outstanding choice! Paul is not only an accomplished individual with skills and experience that are ideal for this important role, but his commitment to Christ and the church are obvious to all who know him. His selection also serves as a compliment to the Covenant – Paul joins a cast of highly competent individuals with a passion for Christ and ministry. Great team. And many thanks as well to another seasoned and experienced leader – Dean Lundgren – for his many years of faithful service. The Covenant is truly blessed with talented Christ followers.
Congratulations to you, Paul. I echo Tom Sprague’s comment about how blessed we are to have such depth of Christian leadership in our denomination.