Here’s something you don’t see every day: a Catholic agency being run by a Mormon.

From the Utah Standard-Examiner:

About once a week, Northern Utah Catholic Community Services sports an additional face among its employees.

That face belongs to Brad Drake of Layton, who took over as executive director of Utah’s Catholic Community Services programs in July.

Drake makes it a point to visit the Top of Utah as often as he can, because he wants those who oversee programs here to know of their value.

“He is like a breath of fresh air,” said Kelly Farley, Northern Utah Catholic Community Services social work supervisor and volunteer coordinator.

“He is genuinely concerned about Northern Utah. When he says ‘How are you?’ he really wants to know how you are.”

But it’s not just his work ethic that sets Drake apart from past executive directors of the $11 million annual program with 94 employees. He’s also not a Catholic.

Drake is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“The bottom line is, it doesn’t matter what faith you are, just that you have charity and are willing to give your all,” Drake said.

The new executive director credits his employers for choosing him for the job.

“I think that says a lot for the Catholic Church that they would have enough trust,” he said. “It also shows their ability of reaching out to those of other faiths.”

One of Drake’s goals is to break a misconception that different faith groups help only those of their own faith who are in need.

“If people knew that Bishop Wester (of the Salt Lake City diocese) and President Monson (of the LDS Church) are on a first-name basis and frequently confide in one another, they would think differently,” he said.

“It’s all about taking care of God’s children.”

Drake’s background is in business. He first was successful in the grocery business and then provided leadership training for several large corporations before being chosen as executive director of Catholic Community Services.

“I use those skills and abilities to train staff in their leadership role,” he said.

The last few months have provided quite an education for him.

“I had no idea of the magnitude of services provided,” he said. “I had no idea of the magnitude of collaboration between the LDS and Catholic churches.”

“I’ve learned the value of the programs,” he said. “We give hope to those who have no hope.”

Drake’s personal slogan is “Every day and every way, we get a little better.”

Sharron Downing, director of Northern Utah Catholic Community Services, said in the last few months she’s seen Drake and his slogan change employees for the better.

“It’s really a joy to have someone to work with and for who cares,” she said.

One thing Drake hasn’t been afraid to do in his new job is to get his hands into his work.

He weekly serves meals at the St. Vincent DePaul Center, meets daily with clients at St. Mary’s addiction recovery program and consults with refugees who arrive in Utah as part of the refugee resettlement and immigration program.

Refugee resettlement is one program Drake particularly enjoys but he is working to clear up confusion. People often think he works with illegal immigrants, but that’s not the case.

“They usually find jobs within six months of coming into the state,” he said. “They are educated, dedicated and have a desire to succeed in life.”

Drake is pursuing a new program to place refugee foster children in Utah homes.

“This year we placed 25,” he said. “Next year, that number will probably be around 100.”

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