Bishop Barber Names New CFO For Diocese Of Oakland

Attila Bardos has been appointed chief financial officer for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland by Bishop Michael Barber, SJ, effective March 18. He succeeds Paul Bongiovanni, who is retiring at the end of March.

Bardos was introduced to the priests at the Priests’ Study Day at St. Stephen in Walnut Creek. “I am delighted to have a man of deep faith and commitment to our Church, who also has a strong background in finances and leadership, to step into this important position,” Bishop Barber said in introducing Bardos. “He has big shoes to fill, and I am certain he can do so. We’ve been blessed by Paul’s deep commitment to our diocese and his profound servant leadership.”

Bongiovanni has worked for the Diocese of Oakland since 2008, becoming chief financial officer in 2014. “I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to serve our Church in this capacity,” Bongiovanni said.

Bardos currently volunteers at both St. Isidore in Danville and St. Mary in Walnut Creek. He is also a past president of a coalition of Catholic professionals, Catholics@Work. His professional experience includes serving as chief financial officer for Clear-Com, Bar None and Finelite, and serving in senior positions with four Fortune 500 Companies: Clorox, Apple, Schwab, and Robert Half.

He sees his new role as a gift and answer to prayers. “I have been searching for a way to get more involved in the vineyard, to live my faith more deeply in every facet of my life - home, family, community and at work,” he explained. “There is nothing I would like more than to close out my career in a leadership role directly serving our Lord through the diocese I have grown to know and love.”

Mr. Bardos can be reached at [email protected].