Statement of Support for

David Biersmith for VOTF Vice President

I am honored and happy to provide this statement of support for the candidacy of David Biersmith as VOTF vice president. He meets all the qualifications for this important national leadership position.David possesses the management and leadership skills and experience to contribute significantly to a more dynamic and productive VOTF.
I have served with David on the National Representative Council and the Steering Committee of the Survivors Support Working Group. I have heard his prophetic voice and experienced his dynamic leadership skills first hand.

David is the leader of the Kansas City, MO, affiliate and is the elected representative to the National Council from Region 9 (Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas).
He is the President of his parish’s Finance Committee, invaluable experience for VOTF’s next national leadership team. He is also a member of the Survivors Support Working Group. The father of eight and the grandfather of five, David is a graduate of Rockhurst (Jesuit) College, majoring in physics and mathematics. He also studied graduate physics, studied for the priesthood, and served in the United States Marine Corps for 8 years. His ownership of a successful small business, Industrial Medical Center, an occupational medical center, with total responsibility and accountability for the financial success of the business, makes him ideally suited and qualified to contribute to the solution of VOTF’s financial and membership challenges.

David is an avid long-distance runner, having competed in over 100 marathons, and several triathlons—demonstrating qualities of high energy and discipline. This Renaissance man from America’s heartland will make an ideal VOTF national leader.
As the father of two sons who were raped by Father Hugh Monahan of the Kansas City-St., Joseph Diocese, David has deep personal experience of the effects of the clergy sex abuse scandal.

David’s recent accomplishments as his affiliate’s leader include: meeting with the lawyer for most of the victims/survivors of clergy sexual abuse in his Diocese and with the Diocesan lawyer and spokesperson; recruiting local priests to join VOTF; inviting the editor of The National Catholic Reporter to an affiliate meeting; and managing the design and implementation of the Region 9 website.

David Biersmith makes things happen and gets things done--that's why I endorse his candidacy.
Respectfully submitted,

Frank J. Douglas
Tucson, AZ, Affiliate Leader
Member, Survivor Support (National) Working Group
Former Member, National Representative Council
Former Member, National Representative Council Steering Committee