FCCB Welcomes Two New Staff Members; Adds Additional Role

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) is pleased to announce two new staff members. Chanta Combs has joined the staff as associate director for health, and Tammy Fecci will fill the position of associate for life and dignity. In addition, Michael Barrett, who currently serves as associate for education, will also serve as in-house legal counsel.

Combs will serve Florida’s Catholic bishops and health ministry leaders as a policy advisor on health care issues. She will advocate before the legislative and executive branches of government and community organizations on behalf of the FCCB and Catholic health care ministries with particular attention to ethical and moral issues. 

Most recently, Combs served as vice president of government relations for Sevita, managing the company’s state and federal political and policy goals across the country. Combs has also held executive roles with CVS Health/Aetna, Health Policy Partners LLC and United Health Group. From 2003-2007, Combs served in the Executive Office of the Governor, first as deputy policy director and associate general counsel for Governor Jeb Bush, and later as policy director for Governor Charlie Crist. Combs is a graduate of Florida State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Juris Doctorate from the College of Law. 

“Chanta brings a wealth of experience in health policy to her role, and she has hit the ground running,” said Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director. 

Fecci will represent the FCCB on issues of human life and dignity before the legislative and executive branches of government and community organizations. She will also serve as a resource on public policy matters related to the sanctity of life and dignity of the human person and work closely with staff of Florida’s seven Catholic dioceses through the activities of various FCCB committees.

Fecci recently served as bioethics and patient rights coordinator at Baptist Health South Florida, working collaboratively with executive hospital leadership and health care administration to implement policies that support ethical decision-making and preserve the dignity of human life. Her previous work includes serving as research affiliate with Saint Philip Institute of Catechesis and Evangelization, Tyler, TX.

Fecci graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY. She received her Master of Arts in Catholic Clinical Ethics in 2021 from Georgetown University and Catholic University of America. She anticipates completion of her Doctorate in Bioethics and Health Policy from Loyola University, Chicago, in December 2023. 

“We are pleased to welcome Tammy to the staff of the FCCB,” said Sheedy. “Her extensive knowledge of Catholic teaching and life experience will serve us well.”

Barrett will add to his current responsibilities related to governmental programs that affect Florida Catholic schools, their administrators, faculty and pupils by also providing legal counsel to the Conference. Barrett earned his Bachelor of Science in Political Science and History from Florida State University and his Juris Doctorate from Notre Dame Law School.

“Mike’s legal acumen has already enhanced the work of the Conference and will remain of great benefit as he continues his service,” said Sheedy.