Tom Peterson, Founder and President

Mr. Peterson has over 25 years of experience as an award-winning and record-setting national corporate advertising executive and entrepreneur. His prior marketing, advertising, and management experience includes: American Hospital Supply Corporation; Thomas Publishing Co., IDX Systems Corporation, Phoenix Medical Management, Peterson Sparks, Inc., and Peterson Advertising Corporation.

While on a Catholic retreat in 1997, Mr. Peterson had a profound reversion experience in his Catholic faith. Soon afterward, he received a vocational calling, and eventually founded Catholics Come Home, Inc. and VirtueMedia, Inc., educational not-for-profit apostolates, dedicated to promoting Catholic evangelization and the sanctity of human life.

Mr. Peterson speaks at National Catholic Conferences and pro-life events throughout the United States and internationally,and has presented at the Vatican and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He has also been featured in hundreds of media outlets, including EWTN (Journey Home, LIVE, Bookmark), Fox News, and on many Catholic radio stations. Mr. Peterson and the media apostolates he directs are regularly featured in Our Sunday Visitor, The National Catholic Register, Legatus Magazine, Columbia Magazine, Envoy Magazine, and in numerous other Catholic print publications, blogs, and websites.

Mr. Peterson received a B.S. degree in Marketing, Summa Cum Laude, from Arizona State University (1983). He continued in the MBA program at Arizona State University‟s School of Business, (1984-1985).

Robert Trussell Jr., Chairman of the Board

Mr. Trussell is the Founder and retired Chief Executive Officer of Tempur-Pedic International Inc. of which he is currently Vice Chairman. Tempur-Pedic was a start up company in 1992, and recently reached a billion dollar a year in worldwide sales. Mr. Trussell successfully employed advertising media and public relations to spread the Tempur– Pedic story. He took the company public in 2003, where it trades on the NYSE as “TPX”. In 2006, he retired as CEO of Tempur-Pedic to serve Christ full-time by using the media for evangelization.

Mr. Trussell received his B.S. degree from Marquette University in 1974. He is also Chairman of VirtueMedia (a Catholic, pro-life media apostolate), and Chairman of 1380 Real Life Catholic Radio in Lexington, KY.

Marsha Livingston, Treasurer

Marsha Livingston, CPA, received her MBA degree from the University of North Texas in 1983, and her CPA certification from Texas in 1985. She was an adult convert to the Catholic Church in 1992, and has since served in numerous Catholic ministries, including teaching RCIA, and serving as choir director. She has also served for nineteen years in the position of Chief Financial Officer of The College of St. Thomas More in Fort Worth, Texas, a Catholic classical college, and Board Member of VirtueMedia, Inc. a Catholic pro-life media apostolate. Mrs. Livingston is a member of MENSA.

John Cardinal Foley

John Patrick Cardinal Foley was elevated to the College of Cardinals in November 2007, and named by Pope Benedict XVI as the current Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. From 1994-2007, His Eminence served as President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications at the Vatican, and Titular Archbishop of Neapolis in Proconsulari, named by the late Pope John Paul II.

The Archbishop has served on various organizations, including the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada, and National Conference of Catholic Bishops. On June 12, 2008, he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as a member of congregations in the Roman Curia.

Bishop Thomas Olmsted

Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, July 2, 1973. He was installed as the Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, December 20, 2003. Prior to his arrival in Phoenix he served as Bishop of Wichita, Kansas after being ordained Coadjutor Bishop on April 20, 1999. Before serving in Wichita, he served as the Rector / President of the Pontifical College Josephinum, a Catholic seminary in Columbus, Ohio.

For sixteen years, Bishop Olmsted lived in Rome, Italy where he obtained a Master of Arts in Theology, a Doctorate in Canon Law, and worked more than nine years in the Secretariat of State of the Holy See. During that time he resided at the Pontifical North American College and assisted seminarians with spiritual direction.

Bishop Michael Sheridan

Bishop Michael Sheridan was ordained as a diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis on May 29, 1971. On September 3, 1997 Bishop Sheridan was ordained as an auxiliary bishop of St. Louis by Archbishop Justin Rigali. On December 4, 2001 Bishop Sheridan was appointed coadjutor bishop of Colorado Springs and became the bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs on January 30, 2003.

Bishop Sheridan has received several graduate degrees in theology, including a Doctorate of

Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas [Angelicum] in Rome. In addition to serving as a parochial vicar and pastor of several parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Bishop Sheridan taught on the theological faculty of Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis from 1977 until 1987.

Currently he is a consultant to the Committee on Catholic Education, and a member of the Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He is a member of the Task Force on the Life and Dignity of the Human Person for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Bishop Jaime Soto

Bishop Jaime Soto graduated from Saint John's Seminary College, Camarillo, California in 1978 with a B.A. in Philosophy. He received a M.Div. from Saint John's Seminary, Camarillo, California in 1982. Bishop Soto was ordained for Priestly service in the Diocese of Orange, California in June, 1982.

Bishop Soto attended Columbia University School of Social Work, New York City from 1984 to 1986. He graduated in May, 1986 with a Master in Social Work, (MSW).

Bishop Soto assumed the directorship of the Immigration and Citizenship Services at Catholic Charities in December, 1986. He was involved with the implementation of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. He was appointed by the Most Reverend Norman F. McFarland, Bishop of Orange, as Episcopal Vicar for the Hispanic Community on March 3, 1989.

Bishop Soto was named the Titular Bishop of Segia and the Auxiliar Bishop of the Diocese of Orange, California by his Holiness, Pope John Paul II on March 23, 2000. His Episcopal Ordination took place on May 31, 2000, the Feast of the Visitation.

On October 11, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI named Bishop Soto as coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento. Bishop Soto was welcomed into the diocese on November 19, 2007. While serving as Coadjutor Bishop, he served as Moderator of the Curia, Vicar for Hispanics and Other Ethnic Ministries, and represented many pastoral and civic groups.

On November 30, 2008, Bishop Soto became the head of the diocese upon the retirement of the Most Reverend Bishop William K. Weigand.

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of Providence

Born on April 1, 1948, the Most Reverend Thomas J. Tobin is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and attended St. Teresa of Avila Grade School, Perrysville, before entering Saint Mark Seminary High School, Erie. His seminary training continued at Gannon College in Erie, St. Francis College in Loretto from which he graduated in 1969, and finally at North American College in Rome with study at the Gregorian University. He also pursued graduate studies at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of San Anselmo in Rome.

Ordained a priest by Bishop Vincent M. Leonard on July 21, 1973, Bishop Tobin then served as assistant pastor at St. Vitus Parish, New Castle, until 1979 and as assistant pastor at St. Sebastian Parish, Ross Township, from 1979-1984. He was named administrative secretary to former Pittsburgh Bishop Anthony J. Bevilacqua in 1984 and then Associate General Secretary of the Diocese in 1987, and in 1990 became Vicar General and General Secretary.

Bishop Tobin was named Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh and Titular Bishop of Novica by Pope John Paul II on November 3, 1992. He was ordained to the Episcopacy on December 27, 1992. Bishop Thomas J. Tobin was installed as the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown, February 2, 1996, in St. Columba Cathedral.

Bishop Tobin was named eighth Bishop of Providence by Pope John Paul II on March 31, 2005. Bishop Tobin was installed as Bishop of Providence on May 31, 2005 in Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral.

Currently, Bishop Tobin serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Providence College, Providence and as a member of the Board of Trustees of Salve Regina University, Newport and the Board of Directors for Catholic Relief Services.

In 1997, Bishop Tobin was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from his Alma Mater, St. Francis College, Loretto, Pennsylvania.

Bishop Tobin writes a popular column, "Without A Doubt," for his diocesan newspaper. The column received special recognition at the 1998 Catholic Press Association Convention, and in 2000 was selected as best in the nation. Bishop Tobin's articles have also appeared in other periodicals including New Covenant, Pastoral Life, The Priest, Lay Witness, Sacerdos, and Be. His book, "Without a Doubt," a collection of his columns, has been published by Emmaus Road Publishing, Steubenville, Ohio.

Bishop David L. Ricken

David Laurin Ricken was born Nov. 9, 1952, to George William “Bill” and Bertha (Davis) Ricken in Dodge City, Kansas. He has an older brother, Mark, and a younger sister, Carol.

He attended Sacred Heart Cathedral Grade School in Dodge City, and St. Francis Seminary High School in Victoria, Kansas. He entered college at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio, and graduated from Conception Seminary College in Conception, Missouri, in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He conducted his theological studies for the Diocese of Pueblo at St. Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana and the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium where he earned his graduate degree in sacred theology and completed his seminary formation.

He was ordained a priest on Sept. 12, 1980, by the Bishop of Pueblo, Arthur Tafoya, at La Junta Catholic Parish in southeast Colorado. His first appointment was as associate pastor to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pueblo. Five years later, he was named the administrator of Holy Rosary Parish in Pueblo and vice chancellor of the Diocese.

In 1987, then-Father Ricken attended the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome where he received his Licentiate degree (J.C.L.) in Canon Law (church law) in 1989. Upon returning to the diocese, was appointed the vocation director and vicar for ministry formation. Three years later, he added diocesan chancellor to his responsibilities as well as assisting in the Diocesan Tribunal. He served in these positions until Oct. 1, 1996, when he was nominated to be an official of the Congregation for the Clergy at the Vatican where he served through December 1999.

On Jan. 6, 2000, Ricken was ordained to the episcopacy for the Diocese of Cheyenne at the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II. The Mass of Welcome to the Diocese of Cheyenne took place on Feb. 11, 2000, in Cheyenne. On Sept. 26, 2001, Bishop Ricken succeeded Bishop Joseph Hart as the seventh leader of the Diocese of Cheyenne.

Pope Benedict XVI named Bishop Ricken the twelfth bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay on July 9, 2008. He was installed as bishop on Aug. 28, 2008, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay.

Bishop Ricken is a member of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. He is a member of the Committee for Canonical Affairs; the Committee for Domestic Justice and Human Development, and the Chairman of the Committee on the American College of Louvain in Belgium. He is currently on the board of trustees for the Catholic Mutual Relief Society. He is a member of the Bishops’ Advisory Council for the Institute for Priestly Formation and serves on the Board of Regents for Conception Seminary College. He is past-President of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference and a past member of the Committee on Home Missions; the Committee on Catechesis; and the Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Fr. Henry Atem

Fr. Henry Atem serves as parochial vicar at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Fr. Atem attended North Georgia College & State University and the University of Georgia where he studied Accounting and Philosophy. After joining the Archdiocese of Atlanta in 2003, he attended Mount St. Mary‟s Seminary, Emmitsburg, MD where he earned his Master‟s of Divinity and a Master‟s of Arts in Theology with a concentration in Systematic Theology. Fr. Atem, a native of Cameroon, Africa, was elected to serve as the Vice President of the African Conference of Catholic Clergy and Religious in the United States (ACCCRUS) in August 2009.

Dr. Scott Hahn

Dr. Scott Hahn is an exceptionally popular speaker, author and teacher, and presents nationally and internationally on a wide variety of topics talks related to Scripture and the Catholic faith. Over 500 of these talks have been produced, and have been extremely effective in helping thousands of Protestants and fallen away Catholics to (re)embrace the Catholic faith.

Dr. Hahn is currently a Professor of Theology and Scripture at Franciscan University of

Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990, and is the founder and director of the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology. In 2005, he was appointed as the inaugural Chair of Biblical Theology and Liturgical Proclamation at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

His books include: Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism (Ignatius Press: San Francisco, 1993), The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth (Doubleday: New York, 1999); A Father Who Keeps His Promises: God’s Covenant Love in Scripture (Servant Publications: Ann Arbor, MI 1998), and dozens of other best selling books. Dr. Hahn has also written numerous articles in lay and academic publications.

Dr. Hahn received his Bachelor of Arts degree with a triple-major in Theology, Philosophy and Economics from Grove City College, Pennsylvania, in 1979, his Masters of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 1982, and his Ph.D. in Biblical Theology from Marquette University in 1995. Scott has ten years of youth and pastoral ministry experience in Protestant congregations (in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, Kansas and Virginia) and is a former Professor of Theology at Chesapeake Theological Seminary. He was ordained in 1982 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Fairfax, Virginia. He entered the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, 1986.

Jeff Cavins

Jeff Cavins is recognized nationally and internationally as a dynamic Bible teacher, who can take complex theological concepts and make them practical for everyone. After twelve years as a Protestant pastor, Jeff returned to the Catholic Church under the guidance of Bishop Paul Dudley. Over the past several years, Jeff has dedicated his life to developing The Great Adventure Bible Studies, an extremely useful, practical and color coded interactive Bible study system. Jeff is founding host of EWTN‟s Life on the Rock and his conversion story is found in the best-selling book, My Life on the Rock: A Rebel Returns to the Catholic Faith. He is also the author of I’m Not Being Fed! Discovering the Food

the Satisfies the Soul and he is co-editor of the Amazing Grace series of books. Jeff received an MA in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is currently the Director of the

Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute based in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Dr. Aurelie Hagstrom

Dr. Hagstrom is an Associate Professor of Theology at Providence College. Her academic background includes: A Sacred Theology Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology, 1991 and a S.T.L. in Dogmatic Theology, 1990 from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas: Rome, Italy; M.A. in Biblical Studies, 1987 from Boston College; and a B.A. in Theology and Philosophy, 1985 from Providence College. Dr. Hagstrom‟s research and interests include: Theology of laity in the Church and the Theological and philosophical concept of Hospitality. She served as a Board Member, The Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas, Rome, Italy, 1992-2004; Committee Advisor, National Conference of

Catholic Bishops, Committee on the Laity, 1997-1999 among other positions. Dr. Hagstrom received the Faculty Award for Outstanding and Commendable Achievement at the University of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois, 1994 and 1998 and has written numerous scholarly articles and books including A Pilgrim‟s Guide to Rome and the Holy Land for the Third Millennium, with Irena Vaisvilaite, Allen, Texas: Thomas More Press, 1999; and The Vocation and Mission of the Laity, San Francisco: Catholic Scholars Press, 1994.

Patrick Madrid

Patrick Madrid is the editor of Envoy Magazine, a Catholic journal of apologetics and evangelization. Patrick is the author of twelve books on Catholic themes including, Pope Fiction, Any Friend of God’s Is a Friend of Mine, Where Is That In the Bible?, Search and Rescue, Why Is That In Tradition?, Answer Me This, More Catholic Than the Pope, Chapter and Verse, and Jesus Said It. He is the editor and co-author of the acclaimed multi-volume Surprised by Truth series. Mr. Madrid received his theology degree from the Pontifical College Josephinum, in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Madrid has produced numerous apologetics CDs, videos, and DVDs, and speaks extensively at

Catholic conferences throughout the world.

Peter Kreeft, Ph.D.

Dr. Peter Kreeft is a world renown author, speaker and philosopher. He is currently a Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, and has taught dozens of courses in Philosophy, Religion, Metaphysics, and other related areas since 1962. Dr. Kreeft is perhaps best known for his 55 books including: How to Win the Culture War, Fundaments of the Faith, Does God Exist, Catholic Christianity, and countless other best sellers. Dr. Kreeft travels the world speaking about the Catholic faith, and combating the plague of moral relativism.

Matthew Kelly

Matthew Kelly is an internationally acclaimed speaker and New York Times bestselling author. Over the past decade more than four million people in fifty countries have attended his talks, seminars, and retreats. Kelly's books have been published in more than twenty languages and have appeared on the New York, Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and numerous other bestseller lists. His titles include: Rediscovering Catholicism; The Rhythm of Life; Building Better Families; The Seven Levels of Intimacy; and The Dream Manager. In addition to devoting his adult life to inspiring people of all ages and from all walks of life, Kelly is also the founder and President of Floyd Consulting, a management consulting firm dedicated to helping companies and employees become the-best-version-of-themselves.

Steven Ray

Steve Ray is a convert to the Catholic Church. He is the author of three best-selling Ignatius Press books (Crossing the Tiber, Upon this Rock, and a scripture commentary entitled: St. John‟s Gospel). He is in great demand as a speaker for conferences and parishes around the world and is a regular guest on Catholic Answers Live, Ave Maria Radio, Relevant Radio, EWTN and many other radio and TV programs. He is writer, producer and host of the 10-part video/DVD series “The Footprints of God: the Story of Salvation from Abraham to Augustine” filmed entirely on location in the Holy Land and surrounding countries. Mr. Ray is a contributing writer for This Rock Magazine, Envoy Magazine; The Catholic Answer, and more.

Christopher West

Christopher West is a renowned educator, best-selling author, and theologian. He serves officially as a research fellow and faculty member of the Theology of the Body Institute near Philadelphia, PA. His popular week-long courses offered through the Institute continue to draw students form around the globe. As one of the most sought after speakers in the Church today, he has lectured on four continents, in over a dozen countries, and in well over 200 American cities. His multiple books, study guides, and audio and video programs also reach an international audience.

Raymond de Souza

Raymond is the Founder and Director of Saint Gabriel Communications, Australia‟s sole international outreach promoting Catholic Apologetics. He is also the Program Director for Portuguese-speaking countries for Human Life International, EWTN program host and Director of the Sacred Heart Legion in the United States.

He edited the New Millennium edition of King Henry VIII‟s masterpiece, “Defence of the Seven Sacraments” to help Anglicans and Lutherans worldwide come home to Rome.

In the last quarter century he has distinguished himself as international lay Catholic Apologist – broadcaster – Pro-Life advocate, addressing audiences in five continents to “re-evangelize the baptized” (John Paul II).

Fluent in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, Raymond is a speaker of international renown, having given more than 3,000 talks on Catholic apologetics and related topics, in person, on radio and television. His work has assisted religious education programs at parishes, schools, and lay organizations in 15 countries of five continents.

Raymond is greatly assisted by his devoted wife, Theresa. Their marriage has been blessed with eight children.

Robert Trussell, Jr.

(See Directors/Officers section for bio and photo.)

J. Peter Ricketts

Pete Ricketts is the founder of Drakon, LLC, an asset management company in Omaha, Nebraska. He is also Director and President of the Platte Institute for Economic Research, Inc., a member of the TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation Board of Directors, and an Advisory Board member for the Alumni Capital Network. Mr. Ricketts is also Director and President of Education Opportunity Nebraska and Nebraskans for Fiscal Accountability.

Mr. Ricketts is the former Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Ameritrade Holding Corporation, an Omaha-based brokerage industry pioneer, which recently merged with TD Waterhouse to form TD Ameritrade. He left Ameritrade in August 2005, to run for the U.S. Senate. After winning the primary race, he became the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate race in Nebraska for the 2006 election. Mr. Ricketts holds an M.B.A. in marketing and finance from the University of Chicago, where he also earned his bachelor‟s degree.

Jack Hake

Jack Hake is Chairman and CEO of Duke Manufacturing Co, a leader in manufacturing for the foodservice industry. Clients include Subway, Burger King, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, 7-Eleven, and others. Mr. Hake was appointed CEO in September 1997, and has been Chairman since December 1999. Prior 1997, he served as Treasurer and Vice President of Finance, and served in leadership roles since 1982.

Mr. Hake received his undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of Dayton. He received his CPA while employed with Ernst and Ernst. He first worked in the audit group, and later managed their computer audit group. He received his Masters in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University.

Mr. Hake is a member of the AAIM St. Louis‟s President Council since 1996. He currently serves on the industry trade associate Board of Directors of National Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM). and has also been Past President of Food Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA) and Past President of the Food Equipment Manufacturers Credit Association.

Frank Hanna

Frank J. Hanna is CEO of Hanna Capital in Atlanta, Georgia. He invests as a merchant banker in financial service businesses. Prior to going into the investment business, he was a corporate attorney with Troutman Sanders.

Mr. Hanna has been very involved in education for the last 26 years. He has been instrumental in the foundation of three new Catholic schools in Atlanta, serving on the boards of each. Two of those schools have high schools, both of which have been recognized as among the Top 50 Catholic High Schools in the Country.

Through a number of different philanthropic groups, Mr. Hanna has supported and been involved in the issues of educational and religious liberty. He has often spoken on philanthropy, and has written a just-published book entitled, What Your Money Means.

He has been a frequent speaker to various groups and mass media regarding issues of faith as they pertain to the businessman. He has often spoken on philanthropy, and what he feels are new paradigms developing in this area. He continues to support those groups who promote the causes of education and liberty.

In recognition of his charitable efforts, Mr. Hanna has received the William B. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership, and the David R. Jones Award for Philanthropic Leadership, awarded by the Fund for American Studies. He is also a Knight of Malta, of the Holy Sepulchre, and a Knight of the Grand Cross of the Order of St Gregory.

Art Nutter

Art Nutter founded TAEUS International Corporation in 1992, as world‟s first engineering company dedicated exclusively to intellectual property.

Mr. Nutter‟s leadership experience stems from entrepreneurial startup companies, including TAEUS International Corporation, Nutter‟s Painters, and Seeds of Hope, Inc. (a handicapped children‟s orphanage in Romania). He was a sales and marketing executive for Inmos, Honeywell, B.F. Goodrich, and Marconi.

Mr. Nutter has lectured and been published extensively worldwide on intellectual property management. Art is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA); American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), World Research Group; and Pikes Peak Venture Group. Art is active in the Colorado Springs Catholic Cursillo movement, and is a 4th degree Knight of Columbus. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) from the University of Akron (Ohio), and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Phoenix.

Andreas Widmer

Andreas Widmer is the co-founder of the SEVEN Fund, a non-profit run by entrepreneurs whose goal is to dramatically increase the rate of innovation and diffusion of enterprise-based solutions to poverty.

Widmer is a seasoned business executive with experience in high-tech and, more recently, international business strategy consulting and economic development. During his career, Widmer has participated in the early stage of four startup companies with cumulative exits valued at more than $730 million.

He recently contributed two chapters to the book In the River They Swim: Essays from Around the World on Enterprise Solutions to Poverty and regularly writes on issues of entrepreneurship, economic development and spirituality.

Widmer served as a Pontifical Swiss Guard from 1986-1988, protecting Pope John Paul II. He holds two business degrees from Switzerland, and two degrees from the US, a B.S in International Business from Merrimack College and an MA in Ministry from St. John‟s Seminary in Boston. He speaks English, German, Italian and French, and serves on a number of international and local charitable boards. In his spare time, Widmer loves to spend time with his family and enjoys fly-fishing, skiing, and reading.

Mark Biagetti

Mark Biagetti is Vice President, Strategy for Textron Systems, a $2B+ segment of Textron Inc., leading both Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions. Mr. Biagetti resides in Providence, Rhode Island, where he is a member of Textron‟s Strategy Council. Prior to joining Textron, Mr. Biagetti was Chief Operating Officer at Avocet Aircraft, a startup company designing a Very Light Jet in cooperation with Israel Aircraft Industries. Prior to Avocet, he worked at Pratt & Whitney in Strategic Planning and as an investment banker at First Equity, executing mergers and acquisitions for clients worldwide. He began his career at Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, CA as a flight test engineer.

Mr. Biagetti earned a Masters Degree from the Yale School of Management, and a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Notre Dame. He is also a licensed pilot with an instrument rating.

David Fischer

David Fischer is president and a director of Harbison-Fischer, Inc. Founded in 1933 Harbison- Fischer is the world‟s leading manufacturer of downhole sucker rod pumps and plunger lift systems for oil and gas producers. Prior to his election to president in 2005, he served as executive vice president for seven years.

Mr. Fischer received a BBA degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1989 with a major in Accountancy. He worked for Price Waterhouse in their audit department and received his CPA from Texas in 1992. Mr. Fischer received his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in 1994 with majors in Finance and Marketing.

He serves as a Trustee for Cook Children‟s Health Foundation and on the Board of Directors of the Child Study Center Foundation, the Petroleum Equipment Suppliers Association and the Petroleum Club of Fort Worth. Memberships include American Petroleum Institute, International Petroleum Association of America, Young Presidents‟ Organization and the Fort Worth chapter of Legatus.

Michael Sullivan

Mike Sullivan is Founder and Managing Director of HVS Capital Corp. an investment banking firm exclusively involved the lodging and leisure industry in the Americas and a division of HVS International, a global hospitality consulting and hospitality services firm. Previously, he served as Managing Director of Sonnenblick-Goldman Company, a New York-based real estate investment banking firm.

Mr. Sullivan is active in Catholic philanthropic causes around the country and was a founding member and past President of the Denver chapter of Legatus. He attended the University of Arizona, where he received a degree in accounting and marketing.

Robert J. Myers

Robert J. Myers is President and Chief Executive Officer of Casey’s General Stores, Inc. Casey’s owns and operates over 1,500 convenience stores in nine Midwestern states.

Mr. Myers graduated from Saydel High School in Des Moines, IA in 1965 and entered the U.S. Army in 1966, where in spent the next 22 years. His service included tours of duty in Viet Nam, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Kuwait. His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, five meritorious medals, 3 Army Commendation medals, Joint Service Commendation medal, the Army Achievement medal, Parachutist Badge and numerous other awards and decorations.

Robert attended numerous military and civilian schools including the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and Air Force Institute of Technology. He earned a B.S. degree in management from Coker College, Hartsville, S.C.

Robert and his wife Janice live in Iowa, where they are active members of their parish and Legatus.

Phillip M. Ramos, Jr.

Phillip M. Ramos, Jr. is founder and owner of Philatron Wire & Cable one of the largest manufacturers of electrical cables in Southern California. His company has been featured in Wall Street Journal and Fortune Magazine, and was recognized in November 2008 by the Orange County Business Journal as the Medium Family Owned Business of the Year.

Phil is currently serving on the boards of Catholic Charities Orange County, The Loyola Institute for Spirituality, the Magis Center of Reason & Faith, and San Antonio Church Pastoral Council. He has served on the boards of Goodwill Industries – Los Angeles, Legatus - Orange County Chapter, and Providence Speech & Hearing Center. Phil is also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Phil lives in Anaheim Hills with his wife of 43 years, Eloise. They have three children Phillip III, Nicholas, Candice and one granddaughter, Erwin. Phil serves as a Eucharistic Minister for his parish and loves praying the Rosary.

Sherry Alberoni Van Meter

A veteran of the entertainment industry having been a child star and adult performer in television and film (most notably as an original Mouseketeer on the classic 1950s Disney TV show The Mickey Mouse Club), Sherry has in the last two decades been involved in a host of charitable work, community efforts and church activities while also holding down the title of full-time wife and mother.

With a long list of charitable, community and church work to her credit over the past two decades, most recently Sherry has served as a Board Member of Catholic Charities of Orange County, Chairperson of The Big Breath Easy for the American Lung Association and member of the Board of Directors of The Order of Malta, a Catholic organization where she and her husband have led annual pilgrimages to Lourdes in France. She is also a sought-after guest speaker and a popular Mistress of Ceremonies at charity events.