"I hired Laura because of her competency, loyalty and commitment to the diocese and those qualities have been demonstrated over the past eight years, first as accounting manager then as controller," Bishop Guillory said.
"Now as CFO I feel her past experience with the diocese will be a great asset, especially with her knowledge of the inter workings of the diocese."
Williams graduated from Kountze High School in 1988 and Lamar University in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She earned her certified public accountant license in 1996.
After graduating she worked as a staff accountant in industry for about three years and at the local accounting firm of Funchess, Mills, White, & Co. for two years. She began her career with the diocese as accounting manager in July 1999 and was promoted to controller in July 2004.
"I am proud of the Financial Services Department and all of the services we provide and our accomplishments. My immediate challenge is to maintain the same level of service to the parishes, schools, Catholic Charities, and the diocesan offices as we have for the eight years that I have been with the diocese," Williams said.
She went on to share that her immediate goal is to successfully complete the budget season for the parishes, schools, and the diocese.
One of her long range goals is to continue to evolve the Logos Church Management software for the parishes and schools by implementing the new Logos Dashboard which should be a helpful tool to the parishes and schools as well as the diocese.
Williams and her husband Michael have been married for three years and her stepdaughter, Amanda, is 15 years old. A member of Holy Spirit, Kountze, she serves her parish as the youth group director.
After working with the young people for six years, she says she feels it is really important to give the kids the opportunity to spend time with not only other kids in their parish, but to spend time with youth from other parishes in the diocese as well.
"Junior high and high school kids are confronted with so many negative influences whether it is television, music or their peers. I think the battle can only be won by exposing them to many positive images and giving them positive faith experiences that can help them deal with situations they are going to encounter," Williams said.
Her hobbies include monthly family camping trips, walking her dog and cooking.
