NEW LEADERS!

The Diocese of Albany Catholic Schools logo.

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger has appointed Dr. Christopher Bott, current Associate Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Albany, to take over as Interim Superintendent of Schools, effective Aug. 15. 

Bott will replace Dr. Giovanni Virgiglio, the current Chancellor and Superintendent of Schools, who was named Executive Coordinator and Director of Religious and Independent School Support with the New York State Education Department on July 18, following 20 years of service to the Diocese of Albany.

Bott has been serving as Associate Superintendent for the Diocese since 2018. He previously served as principal at Catholic Central High School in Troy, and the former St. James School in Albany. Prior to those roles, he had been teaching in Catholic schools in New York state since the late ’90’s.

Virgiglio’s resignation also left a need for a new chancellor for the Diocese. Bishop Scharfenberger has appointed Chief Operating Officer Bonni Shippee. The appointment of chancellor will be in addition to her COO role. Shippee has been serving the Diocese of Albany as COO since July 2021. As chancellor, she will assist the Bishop by notarizing official documents and by maintaining the diocesan archives. The Office of the Chancellor also helps disseminate information to clergy, parishes and the Catholic faithful that may be beneficial to the people of the Diocese. 

Bishop Scharfenberger has also created a new position of vice chancellor and has appointed Amy Brozio-Andrews, diocesan archivist, to that role. Brozio-Andrews has been serving the Albany Diocese as archivist since 2017. 

Please pray for them as they move forward in these new roles, serving the people of the Albany Diocese.