Gerard Carter
Executive Director / CEO
After serving more than 14 years with the agency as Family Life Office Director and then as Associate Director, in January of 2011, he assumed responsibility for the overall operations and leadership of the agency. As Executive Director, he works to ensure that the best quality programs are provided throughout the 46 counties of North Carolina that comprise the agency service area.
Dr. Carter has been a contributor to the Journal of Marriage and Family, is a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Family Issues, and has presented nationally on his research. Before joining Catholic Charities in 1995, he served as a teacher and guidance counselor in Catholic education. He has taught classes and has been a guest presenter at the undergraduate and graduate levels in both family studies and nonprofit management. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society (undergraduate) and the Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society (family studies).
Dr. Carter graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He received the degrees of Master of Human Development and Learning (Counseling and Guidance) from UNC Charlotte and a Master of Public Administration from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He was awarded his doctorate in the field of family studies from UNCG, and his research interests include the transition to marriage and parenthood. In addition, he was awarded a Nonprofit Management Certificate from the Duke University Continuing Education program. E-mail at ccdoc@ccdoc.org or call 1-800-227-7261.
Jesse Boeckermann
Regional Director – Asheville
Mr. Boeckermann earned his Bachelor of Journalism from the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He holds a Master of Management and Leadership from Montreat College in Asheville. After a 10-year broadcasting career working in television and radio news and sports, Jesse served as the Program Director for People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry (PACEM), a nonprofit in Charlottesville, Virginia. Upon moving to North Carolina, Mr. Boeckermann served for over five years in higher education at Montreat College, working in admissions with busy adults who wanted to finish degrees. He also served as Corporate Relations Manager and Enrollment Counselor at Montreat College’s School of Adult and Graduate Studies before coming to Catholic Charities in January 2021. E-mail at ccdoc@ccdoc.org or call 1-800-227-7261.
Sharon Davis
Program Assurance Director
Ms. Davis earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She holds a Master of Social Work from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ms. Davis joined Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte in 1986 after completing her undergraduate degree and began duties as the Charlotte Regional Office Director in 2011. She has worked extensively in adoption and pregnancy support and served as a Master Trainer for a national adoption awareness training initiative. In her career, Ms. Davis has provided direct material assistance services. She was instrumental in developing a “client choice” delivery model for the agency’s food pantry, and under her guidance, the client choice model was implemented throughout the agency. She is active in the community by raising awareness, education, and advocacy for children and youth concerns and poverty reduction. Ms. Davis has served as a youth mentor and as a member of an ecumenical committee that supported students at a high-poverty school. E-mail at ccdoc@ccdoc.org or call 1-800-227-7261.
Charlie DaVolio
Business Director
Mr. DaVolio joined Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte in 2020 and serves as Business Director overseeing the agency’s business operations. He graduated from St. Joseph College in Patchogue, New York, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and from Long Island University, CW Post in Old Westbury, New York, with a Master of Science in Accounting. Prior to joining Catholic Charities, he served for 15 years as Business Manager for Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wilmington, North Carolina. E-mail at ccdoc@ccdoc.org or call 1-800-227-7261.
Director of Development
Ms. Garramone is a dedicated and passionate non-profit professional with a drive to make our community a vibrant place to live, work, learn, and grow. She joined Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte in 2020, having the privilege to provide people with opportunities to give back, connect, and uplift our community.
She received her Bachelor of Fine Art at SCAD in Savannah, Georgia, and her master’s degree at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London, UK. Before joining Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, she served for close to seven years as a Community Engagement team member at the Arts & Science Council in Charlotte, helping to make Culture For All a reality in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Virginia strives to ensure our donors feel appreciated and understand their generosity’s impact on the lives of those most in need in our community. Virginia loves coming to work each day to help empower people to join in the work of Catholic Charities to strengthen families, build communities, and reduce poverty locally in the 46 counties we serve. E-mail at ccdoc@ccdoc.org or call 1-800-227-7261.
Regional Director – Charlotte
Ms. Lemmon joined Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte in 2023, bringing over 15 years of experience in non-profit management, community relations, and parish engagement. Most recently, Ms. Lemmon was the Business Manager for the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Charlotte. Before that role, she was the marketing and communication director for several private sector companies, specializing in building and developing high-performing teams. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Lynchburg in Virginia and a Public Relations and Business Management certificate from Villanova University in Pennsylvania. E-mail at ccdoc@ccdoc.org or call 1-800-227-7261.
Chief of Staff
Ms. Loesch joined Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte in 2005 and was named Chief of Staff and Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) Integrator in 2021. During her 16 years with Catholic Charities, she has served in various roles, including Business Operations Assistant and, most recently, Special Projects Coordinator. In 2014, she served as the Local Coordinator for the CCUSA Annual Gathering in Charlotte and continues to oversee agency-wide projects and initiatives. Ms. Loesch earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Prior to joining Catholic Charities, Ms. Loesch was a Project Specialist for a global electrical equipment manufacturing and distribution company. E-mail at ccdoc@ccdoc.org or call 1-800-227-7261.
External Engagement Director
Mr. Long joined Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte in 2023, bringing more than 20 years of experience in communications and marketing. Most recently, he was the vice president of North American operations for a London, England-based digital communications agency. Before that role, he was marketing and communications director for three schools and a nonprofit started by the Kennedy family to carry on Robert F. Kennedy’s life’s work of social justice and human rights. After graduating from San Francisco State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, David began his career in Washington, DC, on the legislative staffs of three United States Senators. E-mail at ccdoc@ccdoc.org or call 1-800-227-7261.
Joseph Purello
Social Concerns & Advocacy Director
Mr. Purello leads agency efforts in sharing Catholic Social Teaching and the Catholic Church’s call to promote and protect human life and dignity. He also leads agency efforts in disaster response and advocacy. He serves as diocesan director for Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and is an advisor to Catholic Voice NC, the nonpartisan public policy and advocacy organization of the Diocese of Charlotte. Mr. Purello graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Georgetown University, majoring in international economics. After graduation, he was awarded a Fulbright Graduate Scholarship to conduct economic research in West Africa. He holds a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics and Marketing from Rutgers University in New Jersey and a master’s in Philosophy from Fordham University in New York. Additional graduate studies and fieldwork focused on international and rural economic development and African and Middle Eastern studies. Prior to joining the agency in 2000, Mr. Purello was Director of Community Services and Service-Learning at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he helped develop and organize student experiential placements and university partnerships with a variety of non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, and L’Arche. E-mail at ccdoc@ccdoc.org or call 1-800-227-7261.