CCL Names New Director
"I am honored and humbled to be selected as the executive director for CCL," Manhart said. "Even though this is currently a challenging time for many non-profits, I am excited because CCL is poised and ready to grow significantly in the next few years. We've invested a lot of work in the last several years to produce wonderful new contemporary teaching materials; we have more than 500 certified teaching couples; and a message that speaks to the desire planted deep within each and every one of us by our creator to love our spouses as he wishes us to."
ManhartManhart, 54, was of late a Director of Research & Development with Procter & Gamble, from where he recently retired after a 25-year career. With a Ph.D. in microbiology, Manhart has extensive experience in technical leadership, product development, productivity improvements, scientific research, and other management skills.
Manhart also brings with him significant volunteer experience with CCL. Mike and his wife, Karen, have been a CCL Teaching Couple for 24 years and have personally taught NFP to nearly 450 couples. The Manharts are active in the Northern Kentucky CCL chapter, which serves the Diocese of Covington. They are the parents of four children, and have two grandchildren. Manhart also served on the CCL Board of Directors from July 2007 to May 2009.
"Mike's personal charisma and leadership abilities are evident to staff and board alike," commented Linda Kracht, CCL Chairman of the Board. "While we interviewed a number of excellent applicants, it became clear that Mike would be 'hard to beat' because of his extensive professional and technical work experience combined with his support, knowledge, and experience of NFP and CCL."
The Couple to Couple League has been a leading provider of natural family planning education in the United States since 1971, offering in-person classes and home study training to engaged and married couples in both English and Spanish. CCL also reaches into other English-speaking and Spanish-speaking countries.
In 2008, CCL launched a completely updated and revised NFP education program, which has been received enthusiastically by its teaching couples. The League also developed a free online teacher training certification program, and recently added dedicated, specialized public classes in the postpartum and premenopause transition times, complete with separate student guides. Currently, CCL is working toward the launch of live, online couple-to-couple NFP instruction.
"We are poised to be an important contributor to re-building a Culture of Life in the U.S. and beyond," Manhart said, "and I look forward to continuing CCL's work in building healthy marriages through NFP."