WASHINGTON—James L. Rogers has been named executive director of Public Affairs for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).  

In this newly created role, Rogers will oversee the USCCB Office of Media Relations and will be responsible for the development and implementation of the USCCB's external communications messaging, strategy and objectives. He begins his position on February 18.

Rogers has spent 20 years managing communications for organizations with a high profile in Washington, most recently as executive director of public relations at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. From 2011 to 2014 he was executive director of public relations for Kaiser Permanente where he established a national public relations office in Washington for the $50 billion healthcare system. From 2005 to 2011, he held the positon of secretary for communications with the Jesuit Conference. There he served as senior advisor to the national president and launched a social media program and brand journalism site (Jesuit.org) that won three awards from the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada.  
He has also managed media relations at the National Rehabilitation Hospital and led advertising and cause-related marketing at the American Cancer Society. He staged a Great American Smokeout Workout with the White House, wrote Congressional testimony in support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and planned site visits for the British No. 10 Policy Unit and the German Federal Ministry of Health.

Msgr. Ronny Jenkins, USCCB general secretary, made the appointment.

"James Rogers brings a wealth of professional experience in public relations and communications management to the Conference," he said. "I am confident that his many gifts, coupled with his devotion to the Church, will be of valuable service to the bishops."

Rogers earned a bachelor of arts degree from The George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs. He is a member of the National Press Club, the Public Relations Society of America and an Arthur W. Page Society Future Leader. 

Rogers resides in Purcellville, Virginia with his wife and son. They are parishioners of St. Francis de Sales. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus EDW Council in Arlington, where he also served as division president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.