William Sahm named president of Bishop Chatard High School

Criterion staff report

After a yearlong national search, William Sahm has been selected as the next president of Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis.

The Indianapolis businessman and former Catholic school teacher will succeed Holy Cross Brother Joseph Umile, who has led the Indianapolis North Deanery high school for 14 years, on July 1.

“In addition to the essentials of a strong faith and commitment to family and

education, Bill brings the gift of a collaborative style of leadership, a leadership that is what Bishop Chatard needs to continue its growth in mission,” Brother Joseph said.

Sahm fit the search committee’s profile of a leader who has a strong Catholic identity, secondary education experience and skills in communications, outreach and fundraising, according to Robert Klee, a member of the school’s board of regents.

“Bill’s qualifications cover each and every criteria we outlined,” said Klee, who led the search committee. “He has demonstrated an ability to create a vision, then inspire and lead an organization to achieve key goals. His devotion to his Catholic faith, to the archdiocese, to Bishop Chatard, to his parish and to the city of Indianapolis is substantial. We believe that Bill will leverage these many experiences to lead Bishop Chatard to the next level of success.”

Currently a senior vice president with Precedent Commercial Development, Sahm is a member of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 1977, he spent seven years as a teacher, coach and coordinator of service and retreat programs at Roncalli High School in Indianapolis.

Sahm plans to continue the close relationship between Bishop Chatard and the parishes and schools of the Indianapolis North Deanery.

“We are truly Catholic—we are owned by the archdiocese, get our direction from the archdiocese and are accountable to the archdiocese,” Sahm said. “Bishop Chatard is a real community school, and like the community it serves, the school is socio-economically and racially diverse.”

Sahm’s appointment as Bishop Chatard’s president was announced to the school community on Feb. 20. His four children are graduates of the school. He has also served as the president of the school’s board of regents.

His appointment was made by Annette “Mickey” Lentz, the executive director of Catholic education and faith formation for the archdiocese.

“Bill has a long and valued history with the archdiocese and brings many gifts and skills to the position,” Lentz said. “Because Bill has been so involved for many years in Catholic education in the archdiocese, he understands the rich

traditions upon which the school has been built.” †