Mr. Roman Franklin joined the diocesan staff as its new diocesan financial officer and administrator on Jan. 17. He replaces former CFO and financial administrator Bayard Lee “Earl” Pickett, who retired in December 2022 after 25-plus years with the diocese. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb announced Franklin’s hiring and introduced him on Jan. 27 at the 55th Annual Diocesan Convention.

“I was humbled by the eloquent introduction at the Convention and even more so by the warm reception,” Franklin said. “Dozens of our clergy and leaders approached me at the Convention specifically to welcome me to the diocese. It was a wonderful way to launch what I pray will be an impactful year across the diocese.”

Franklin spent the last 20 years of his career as a fiduciary, managing assets on behalf of others. He also founded, grew and sold Franklin Financial Planning, a multilocation wealth management firm based in Central Florida, where he advised investors, religious institutions and trustees on over $100,000,000 in church financing transactions. Most recently, he served as an executive and member of the board of directors of a publicly traded company with over 50 retail locations across 16 states.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Barry University in 2008 and an MBA from Stetson University in 2011. He has also completed the Certified Financial Planner and Registered Financial Consultant education programs and has held multiple industry licenses, including insurance and real estate licenses issued by the state of Florida.

Roman Franklin, his wife, Alyssia, and their son, Angel | Photo: Courtesy Roman Franklin

Franklin and his wife, Alyssia, have been married for seven years. They live in Howey-in-the-Hills with their son, Angel.

“My wife is the organizer of a homeschool group with approximately 30 young people from Clermont, Minneola, Winter Garden and the surrounding area,” he said. “The kids and some of their parents gather multiple times weekly, often at our property, for lessons, socializing and community service. Recently, the group fed Thanksgiving meals to approximately a dozen needy families and visited a senior living facility in Clermont to spread holiday cheer.”

During the interview process, Franklin spoke with multiple individuals, including Holcomb, the Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Smith and the Finance Commission chair. “I was generally interested in the opportunity,” Franklin said. “However, once I interviewed with Canon Dan and Bishop Holcomb and understood their vision for the diocese, I began passionately pursuing the position.”

“What instantly stood out to me about Roman when I reviewed his CV was the variety and depth of his professional background,” Holcomb said. “In addition to his financial expertise, which is exceptional in its own right, he has experience in compliance, investor relations and training.

“When preparing to add a full-time administrator to the diocesan staff, the first consideration was, of course, hiring an individual who could capably oversee the customary responsibilities of the diocesan financial officer such as budget, assessments and investments,” the bishop explained. “In addition to this skill set, I hoped to find an individual who would be a resource to our churches, clergy and their families, providing guidance about retirement planning, personal finances and other similar matters. Prayers were answered; Roman provides all of these qualities.

“After only a few weeks of working together, I can see that Roman’s work as our diocesan financial officer and administrator reaches beyond being just a job for him,” Holcomb said. “It is his calling, his own unique ministry.  I’m incredibly grateful to have Roman serving among us in the diocese.”

Franklin’s grandfather, father, brother and two uncles are current or retired full-time ministers, and he is eager to use his gifts and experience to serve while funding the Great Commission. What excites him most, however, is the opportunity to use his skills and expertise to advance the bishop’s vision for the diocese.

“I am passionate about helping others to ‘taste and see that the Lord is good,'” he said. “God willing, I expect to add stability to the diocese and our churches by being a trusted adviser regarding financial matters.”