"They (the Christian Brothers) take you where you didn't know you could go." 

Reston, Virginia; St. Mel High School Class of 1956

You never know when life throws you a curveball and who will be there to lend a hand. When I was 14 and a freshman at St. Ignatius High School, I found myself in a scuffle and was consequently removed from the school. I was heartbroken and not sure where to go next–where I would fit in. I was aware of St. Mel High School on the west side of Chicago and when I applied there, the Christian Brothers considered my situation and accepted me without reservation. At what was the lowest point of my life at the time, they took me in and gave me the opportunity to continue my education. I always remembered that.

I also remember they were all outstanding teachers. They displayed and instilled a grit, 
a determination to work hard to achieve something—to make for yourself a successful place in life, no matter what that was. The Brothers were straightforward and made sure you kept your nose to the grindstone—that you kept working. I had different ideas at the time, but they moved me into the types of courses that would help me get a job. And those courses helped make me a success. But they treated all students the same, no matter what courses they were taking. 

I served as an FBI agent for 25 years; I was successful in the international business world. I’ve recently written a book that was released in 2023. It’s called Up By The Bootstraps, and it has a section on my experiences at St. Mel. The Brothers helped me do these things. The Christian Brothers were tough and disciplined—you didn’t mess around with them. They provided a good education, they were great teachers, good people, guys you could talk to—I admire them.

If I have a legacy, this is it: I grew up in a tough neighborhood on the west side of Chicago, and I’ve shown that you can rise from rough circumstances to do well, be successful, and give back. Many people want to give back, but they can’t. I was able to reflect on my position in life and found myself able now to help those who helped me. The Christian Brothers helped me.