“Go to Joseph!”
Held annually since 1966, the College Councils Conference brings college Knights together from across the country and around the world. Attendees participate in a dynamic program of inspiring speakers, networking opportunities and leadership training. Due to the ongoing pandemic, this year’s conference will be held virtually, on September 24-25, 2021.
Some of the main events to look forward to this year are our annual awards presentation, where we will announce the Outstanding College Council Award and other prestigious accolades; an address by Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly; a keynote address delivered by Father Donald Calloway, M.I.C., --one of the foremost voices on Saint Joseph; training sessions and presentations on effective programming, recruitment and retainment, council operations, faith formation, and leadership development.
All council officers should plan to attend this year’s virtual conference. Due to the virtual nature of this year’s event, it will be open to all college knights, district deputies, and state council leaders. You won’t want to miss out on this exciting opportunity to take your council to new levels of success this coming year!
The first 300 registrants will receive a copy of Father Calloway’s book, Consecration to Saint Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father!
For more information, please contact the College Councils Department at college@kofc.org or 203-214-8377
56th College Councils Conference
September 24-25, 2021 | Virtual Conference
FRIDAY, September 24, 2021
*All times are in Eastern Daylight Time*
8:00 PM Welcome Remarks
8:05 PM Opening Prayer
8:10 PM Supreme Knight’s Address - Patrick E. Kelly, Supreme Knight
8:25 PM Awards Presentation
8:45 PM Keynote Address - Father Donald H. Calloway, M.I.C.
9:00 PM Closing prayer
SATURDAY, September 25, 2021
11:00 AM Opening Prayer
11:05 AM Welcome and Opening Remarks
11:10 AM Morning Business Session
• Go to Joseph – Sean Pott, Director of Evangelization and Education
• Leaders for Life: Knighthood After College – Tyler Lomnitzer, Manager of Member Engagement
• Partnering with you Field Agent - Shawn Williams, Senior Vice President, Field Management
• Coming Back with Creative Courage – Nicholas Holoman, Manager of College Councils
11:45 AM Lunch Break
12:45 PM Breakout Session I – College Councils Advisory Board
1:20 PM Breakout Session II – College Councils Advisory Board
2:00 PM Afternoon Break
2:15 PM Afternoon Business Session
• Leadership in the Model of St. Joseph - Joseph McInerny, Director of Leadership and Ethics Education
• Our Catholic Business - Tony Minopoli, Chief Operating Officer
• Our Apostolic Mission – Dr. Jonathan Reyes, Senior Vice President, Communications and Strategic Partnerships
3:15 PM Closing Remarks
3:30 PM Closing Prayer
*Agenda is subject to change, and all times are tentative
FATHER DONALD H. CALLOWAY, M.I.C.
Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary
Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, a convert to Catholicism, is a member of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. Before his conversion, he was a high school dropout who had been kicked out of a foreign country, institutionalized twice, and thrown in jail multiple times. After his radical conversion, he earned a BA in philosophy and theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio; MDiv and STB degrees from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C.; and an STL in Mariology from the International Marian Research Institute in Dayton, Ohio. He leads pilgrimages to Marian Shrines around the world and is the author of 14 books. His latest best-selling book is Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father. Find out more at: www.fathercalloway.com
Patrick E. Kelly
Supreme Knight
Patrick E. Kelly is the 14th Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus. Taking office on March 1, 2021, he serves as the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization, with more than 2 million members.
Prior to his election as Supreme Knight, Mr. Kelly served as Deputy Supreme Knight for 4 years, and as Vice President for Public Policy for 11 years. He has also served as State Deputy in the District of Columbia.
Mr. Kelly was the first executive director of the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C., and oversaw the renewal of the facility after its purchase by the Knights in 2011.
Prior to his leadership roles in the Knights, Mr. Kelly pursued a lengthy career of public service. Most notably, he was Senior Advisor to the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom at the State Department, where he acted as the Department’s principal liaison with the Holy See and assisted with the formulation of U.S. foreign policy on religious freedom worldwide. He has also held advisory roles on the House Intelligence Committee and the Department of Justice, where he specialized in counterterrorism and national security.
Mr. Kelly served in the United States Navy for 24 years. As a Judge Advocate General, he specialized in international and operational law and served as the Commanding Officer of the international law unit at the U.S. Naval War College.
Mr. Kelly serves as consultant to four committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC), and was formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors of the March for Life.
Mr. Kelly holds a master’s degree in theology from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at The Catholic University of America, a law degree from Marquette University Law School and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Marquette University, where he joined the Knights of Columbus in 1983.
He and his wife, Vanessa, have three daughters.
Sean Pott
Director of Evangelization and Education
Sean Pott is currently serving as the Director of Evangelization and Education for the Knights of Columbus.
Prior to this, he held the Director of Programs position for a little over two years where he and the team worked to advance and support Faith in Action. He was initially hired as the Manager of Faith Programs.
Before joining on at Supreme, Sean worked for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, for ten years. Six of those years were on campus at Benedictine College and the University of Vermont. He then served on the Formation Team as the Coordinator of New Staff Training where he worked to help develop and then run the training and formation of FOCUS missionaries.
Sean and his wife Emily have three sons under the age of 4 and live in Hamden, CT.
TYLER LOMNITZER
Director of Programs and Member Engagement
Tyler Lomnitzer is Director of Programs and Member Engagement for the Knights of Columbus. In this role, he oversees council adoption and execution of Faith in Action programs, as well as engagement initiatives for members that join online, including new member onboarding.
Previously he served the Office of General Counsel and Committee for Religious Liberty at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He was a 2018-2019 Fellow of the Leonine Forum NYC. He completed his B.A. in English at The Catholic University of America.
Tyler currently serves as District Deputy of District 17 in Connecticut, as well as both Chancellor and Family Director of St. Pius X Council 16347 in Fairfield, CT.
NICHOLAS HOLOMAN
Manager of College Councils
As of July of 2021 Nick, is serving as the Manager of College Councils. Nick is originally from Bellefontaine, Ohio, and is a 2020 Graduate of John Carroll University where he studied theology and philosophy with a concentration in law and politics. He is a past Grand Knight of the John Carroll University Council 8320, and a member of the 2019 College Councils Advisory Board.
In the summer of 2019, Nick worked as an intern in the Fraternal Mission Department, and, in July of 2020, he began working as an Assistant Regional Growth Director for College Councils.
On August 26th, Nick and his wife Rebekah welcomed their first child to the world – Annemarie Holoman. Nick lives in and works from Columbus, Ohio.
JOSEPH MCINERNY
Director of Leadership and Ethics Education
Joe McInerney is the Director of Leadership and Ethics Education for the Knights of Columbus, a worldwide fraternal association of more than two million members with headquarters in New Haven, CT. Prior to retiring as a Captain from the United States Navy he served as the Chairman of the Department of Leadership, Ethics, and Law and as Permanent Military Professor of Applied Ethics and Leadership at the United States Naval Academy. Having served in a variety of leadership positions in the Navy Captain McInerney was selected for the Navy Permanent Military Professor Program. As a member of that program, he graduated from The Catholic University of America with a doctorate in systematic theology. Captain McInerney also holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the United States Naval Academy and a Masters of Theological Studies from the John Paul II Institute in Washington DC. In 2016, Captain McInerney published his first book, The Greatness of Humility: St. Augustine on Moral Excellence (Wipf &Stock, 2016). His most recent publication is Passion and Paradox: The Leadership Genius of Jesus Christ (Catholic Information Service, 2018).
SHAWN WLLIAMS
Senior Vice President, Field Management
Shawn is a graduate of The University of South Florida, with a degree in Communication. He has 23 years in banking and financial sales experience and has held multiple sales and leadership positions throughout his career.
In 2003 shortly after the birth of his first child, Shawn joined the Knight of Columbus at the age of 27.
He enjoyed his experience as Knight so much, that in 2013 He left New York Life and joined The Gitto Agency in Orlando Florida as a Field Agent, where he earned multiple award trips and was a member of MDRT.
In 2017 Shawn successfully launched a new agency for the Order as a General Agent in the Western half of North Carolina achieving multiple MDRT agents and awards trip winners each year. During his tenure as a General Agent, Shawn and his team consistently ranked among the top Agencies in the Order.
In 2019 Shawn was promoted to Vice president of Agency Performance. In this role, during the pandemic of 2020, He led the field force through its transition to the Orders first virtual sales platform, significantly improving and expanding the sales performance of all US and Canadian Agencies.
In July of 2021 he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Field Management with oversight of all insurance distribution and sales. Currently leading a field force of 86 agencies and just under 1000 agents in the US and Canada.
Shawn is Co-founder and past board member of Charlotte, North Carolina’s first Catholic Radio Station “Carolina Catholic Radio Network” a multi-platform non-profit media organization with a volunteer staff of 30 and over 500,000 listeners. This ministry greatly supports the Bishop and priests of the Diocese of Charlotte since their inception in mid-2017.
Shawn has been married to his wife Maria since 2000, they have six children whom they homeschool.
TONY MINOPOLI
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
President & Chief Investment Officer of Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors
Tony joined Knights of Columbus in 2005 and became Chief Operating Officer in March 2021. He is responsible for investment operations, human resources and all insurance operations, including underwriting, policy administration and customer service.
In his role as President & Chief Investment Officer of Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, Tony is responsible for the day to day management of the Knight’s $29 billion General Account investment portfolio as well as serving as member of the Board of Directors. The Knights of Columbus’ New Haven investment staff of 11 investment professionals is directly responsible for management of $24 billion of fixed income and $500 million of preferred equity and the investment staff of 9 investment professionals in Boston is responsible for over $1 billion in equity investments. In his role as CIO, Tony is also responsible for overseeing the investment managers in the Knights’ defined benefit pension plan, defined contribution plan and charitable assets, all of which are externally managed.
In 2014, Tony led the creation of Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors (KOCAA), a registered investment advisor and serves as President and Chief Investment Officer. KOCAA offers investment products including 9 mutual funds (seven equity and two fixed income), commingled funds that invest in fixed income and limited partnerships with strategies for senior secured loans and long/short equity. This company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Knights of Columbus and was created to manage Catholic compliant strategies for Catholic intuitional investors. KOCAA recently became the subadvisor to a Catholic compliant global equity ETF, sold by Faith Investment Services.
Prior to joining the Knights of Columbus, Tony spent 18 years at Evaluation Associates with the last 10 years in the role of Senior Consultant. Tony worked with a wide array of pension and foundation clients including Colgate-Palmolive, Bristol-Myers, Albertson’s, Con Edison, M&T Bank, Teagle Foundation and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
DR. JONATHAN REYES
Senior Vice President, Communications and Strategic Partnerships
Jonathan Reyes currently serves as the Senior Vice President for Communications and Strategic Partnerships for the Knights of Columbus.
Prior to this, he served as Assistant General Secretary for Integral Human Development and executive director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
He came to the role from his work as President and CEO of Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Denver. Dr. Reyes also founded Christ in the City, a national volunteer and formation program for college students.
In 2005, Dr. Reyes also helped found the Augustine Institute of Denver, a graduate program devoted to Catholic Theological studies and leadership training and served as its first president.
Dr. Reyes also spent several years as a Vice President for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students as well as the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Christendom College where he also served a professor of history.
He studied European history as a Rackham Fellow at the University of Michigan, earning a PhD in European History at the University of Notre Dame. He and his wife have seven children.
CHRISTOPHER CZYZEWSKI
Coordinator of College Councils
Chris is originally from Philadelphia, PA and is a 2020 Graduate of Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ where he studied Political Science with a concentration in international relations. He is the Past Grand Knight of Saint Peter’s University Council 7913, and a member of the 2019 College Councils Advisory Board.
In July of 2021, Chris began working for the Supreme Office as Coordinator of College Councils. He is looking forward to engaging with college Knights throughout the country, especially in his territory, the Northeastern and Western U.S. this fraternal year!
When he’s not working or volunteering with the Knights of Columbus, Chris enjoys cycling, hiking, rock climbing, and beekeeping.
Chris currently live with his family of five in Philadelphia, PA.
Council Programming Best Practices:
Jacob Artz – Villanova University Council 4609
AJ DeGrado - Georgetown University Council 6375
Seth Caraecle—University of Florida Council 13900
Knights of Columbus College Councils are built on programs. Programs are the foundation for starting a new college council, sustaining, and building vibrant ones, and reviving those that have fallen dormant. This presentation will expose councils to the vast number of programs offered in the Faith in Action program model and will focus on programming with the goal of forming council members in virtue. Effective council programs must be infused with meaning drawn from the pillars of the Knights of Columbus, and this presentation will focus on developing programming that does this while responding to needs on campus.
While becoming familiar with these programs is crucial, we will also discuss appropriate implementation and delegation for straightforward execution. Councils of all sizes can effectively program. In doing so, college knights can make a positive impact on campus, collaborate with other student organizations, and fulfill the requirements for the Columbian and Star Council Awards.
Recruitment and Retention Strategies:
Jacob Pierce – Texas A&M University Council 10624
Jonathan “Conaire” Bradfield – Truman State University Council 17660
This breakout session will address two central goals of recruitment and retainment. The first is to inspire. We hope to ignite a spark in your college council that will help you bring new members into your ranks. In this session, you will learn tips for developing programs that attract new members and will have the opportunity to walk through a sample recruitment week.
The second is to educate. This breakout will assist college councils in understanding the most engaging ways to retain current members. After brining new members into the fold, it is crucial to keep them engaged. We will help you hone the skills necessary to build an active community. This can be accomplished in many ways including, but not limited to, a healthy variety of events and collaboration with other groups on campus. Finally, we will direct you to the appropriate and important resources that will help you reach your recruitment and retention goals.
Council Operations and Officer Training:
Jay Czerniak – Michigan Technological University Council 17237
Thomas Hogan – Magdalen College Council 15669
In this breakout session you will learn key methods that will help your council operate at a higher, more efficient level. This session will demonstrate how to set specific goals as an officer corps and reach them consistently. You will learn strategies that other successful college councils are using on a regular basis. These strategies are simple, and we will highlight their easy application so that your council can begin as soon as you return to campus.
Additionally, we will offer a short tutorial on Officer’s Online and Supplies Online, along with ways to streamline communication between officers and general members. This communication is crucial because it will assist in the delegation of responsibility when it comes to event planning, programs, fraternal events, and council business. Lastly, this presentation will show you how to become familiar with and apply a new, revised meeting format. When your council implements proper strategies, plans, and communication you will be on the fast track for success and Star Council status!
Lifelong Leadership and Knighthood After College:
Samuel Delmer – University of Notre Dame Council 1477
Jack LePage – Norwich University Council 9146
Periods of transition challenge college councils. Although councils might be successful throughout the academic year, it is the winds of change that truly test our survival on campus. When considering the most impactful changes, two come to mind; the first is the turnaround and assimilation of a new officer corps, the second is the transference of our graduating brothers into local councils. Both are crucial when it comes to future success and involvement within the Knights of Columbus.
In this presentation, we hope to provide you with strategies and resources that will assist you in identifying new officers. This should be of high priority to your council because these potential leaders can head small projects, and work with older officers for quality experience and training. Additionally, we will offer a step-by-step process, best practices, and strategies for graduating seniors and lingering members on council rosters. Finally, we will cover the need for alumni engagement which could be of great value. Incorporating former members opens the door to additional financial support, mentor programs, and healthy collaboration with local councils.
Seminarian Session:
Sean Lee – St. Joseph Seminary Council 17205
The goal of this presentation is to aid seminarian councils in finding meaningful and impactful ways to incorporate council activities into the broader seminary life and schedule. Seminary councils have unique needs, but our council structure can be successfully adapted to meet the needs of our seminarian Knights. Categorically, seminarian knighthood is great preparation for chaplaincy and parish work. This can clearly be understood through closer examination of Blessed Michael McGivney’s life.
Additionally, this presentation will address the unique challenges seminarian councils face. These include, but are not limited to, exposure to the local community, minimal recruitment pools, and the hectic life surrounding formation. Though these might seem daunting, we will examine the best, most practical strategies, and key ideas to overcome them. Having a clear vision is crucial to successful council operations and programming. Finally, we will discuss how a clear vision can lead to stronger collaboration with faculty, local councils, and other organizations on campus. There are many reasons why seminarians should join the Knights of Columbus - this has been undeniably apparent for 139 years!
56th College Councils Conference
September 24-25, 2021 | Virtual Conference
FRIDAY, September 24, 2021
*All times are in Eastern Daylight Time*
8:00 PM Welcome Remarks
8:05 PM Opening Prayer
8:10 PM Supreme Knight’s Address - Patrick E. Kelly, Supreme Knight
8:25 PM Awards Presentation
8:45 PM Keynote Address - Father Donald H. Calloway, M.I.C.
9:00 PM Closing prayer
SATURDAY, September 25, 2021
11:00 AM Opening Prayer
11:05 AM Welcome and Opening Remarks
11:10 AM Morning Business Session
• Go to Joseph – Sean Pott, Director of Evangelization and Education
• Leaders for Life: Knighthood After College – Tyler Lomnitzer, Manager of Member Engagement
• Partnering with you Field Agent - Shawn Williams, Senior Vice President, Field Management
• Coming Back with Creative Courage – Nicholas Holoman, Manager of College Councils
11:45 AM Lunch Break
12:45 PM Breakout Session I – College Councils Advisory Board
1:20 PM Breakout Session II – College Councils Advisory Board
2:00 PM Afternoon Break
2:15 PM Afternoon Business Session
• Leadership in the Model of St. Joseph - Joseph McInerny, Director of Leadership and Ethics Education
• Our Catholic Business - Tony Minopoli, Chief Operating Officer
• Our Apostolic Mission – Dr. Jonathan Reyes, Senior Vice President, Communications and Strategic Partnerships
3:15 PM Closing Remarks
3:30 PM Closing Prayer
*Agenda is subject to change, and all times are tentative
FATHER DONALD H. CALLOWAY, M.I.C.
Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary
Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, a convert to Catholicism, is a member of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. Before his conversion, he was a high school dropout who had been kicked out of a foreign country, institutionalized twice, and thrown in jail multiple times. After his radical conversion, he earned a BA in philosophy and theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio; MDiv and STB degrees from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C.; and an STL in Mariology from the International Marian Research Institute in Dayton, Ohio. He leads pilgrimages to Marian Shrines around the world and is the author of 14 books. His latest best-selling book is Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father. Find out more at: www.fathercalloway.com
Patrick E. Kelly
Supreme Knight
Patrick E. Kelly is the 14th Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus. Taking office on March 1, 2021, he serves as the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization, with more than 2 million members.
Prior to his election as Supreme Knight, Mr. Kelly served as Deputy Supreme Knight for 4 years, and as Vice President for Public Policy for 11 years. He has also served as State Deputy in the District of Columbia.
Mr. Kelly was the first executive director of the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C., and oversaw the renewal of the facility after its purchase by the Knights in 2011.
Prior to his leadership roles in the Knights, Mr. Kelly pursued a lengthy career of public service. Most notably, he was Senior Advisor to the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom at the State Department, where he acted as the Department’s principal liaison with the Holy See and assisted with the formulation of U.S. foreign policy on religious freedom worldwide. He has also held advisory roles on the House Intelligence Committee and the Department of Justice, where he specialized in counterterrorism and national security.
Mr. Kelly served in the United States Navy for 24 years. As a Judge Advocate General, he specialized in international and operational law and served as the Commanding Officer of the international law unit at the U.S. Naval War College.
Mr. Kelly serves as consultant to four committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC), and was formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors of the March for Life.
Mr. Kelly holds a master’s degree in theology from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at The Catholic University of America, a law degree from Marquette University Law School and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Marquette University, where he joined the Knights of Columbus in 1983.
He and his wife, Vanessa, have three daughters.
Sean Pott
Director of Evangelization and Education
Sean Pott is currently serving as the Director of Evangelization and Education for the Knights of Columbus.
Prior to this, he held the Director of Programs position for a little over two years where he and the team worked to advance and support Faith in Action. He was initially hired as the Manager of Faith Programs.
Before joining on at Supreme, Sean worked for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, for ten years. Six of those years were on campus at Benedictine College and the University of Vermont. He then served on the Formation Team as the Coordinator of New Staff Training where he worked to help develop and then run the training and formation of FOCUS missionaries.
Sean and his wife Emily have three sons under the age of 4 and live in Hamden, CT.
TYLER LOMNITZER
Director of Programs and Member Engagement
Tyler Lomnitzer is Director of Programs and Member Engagement for the Knights of Columbus. In this role, he oversees council adoption and execution of Faith in Action programs, as well as engagement initiatives for members that join online, including new member onboarding.
Previously he served the Office of General Counsel and Committee for Religious Liberty at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He was a 2018-2019 Fellow of the Leonine Forum NYC. He completed his B.A. in English at The Catholic University of America.
Tyler currently serves as District Deputy of District 17 in Connecticut, as well as both Chancellor and Family Director of St. Pius X Council 16347 in Fairfield, CT.
NICHOLAS HOLOMAN
Manager of College Councils
As of July of 2021 Nick, is serving as the Manager of College Councils. Nick is originally from Bellefontaine, Ohio, and is a 2020 Graduate of John Carroll University where he studied theology and philosophy with a concentration in law and politics. He is a past Grand Knight of the John Carroll University Council 8320, and a member of the 2019 College Councils Advisory Board.
In the summer of 2019, Nick worked as an intern in the Fraternal Mission Department, and, in July of 2020, he began working as an Assistant Regional Growth Director for College Councils.
On August 26th, Nick and his wife Rebekah welcomed their first child to the world – Annemarie Holoman. Nick lives in and works from Columbus, Ohio.
JOSEPH MCINERNY
Director of Leadership and Ethics Education
Joe McInerney is the Director of Leadership and Ethics Education for the Knights of Columbus, a worldwide fraternal association of more than two million members with headquarters in New Haven, CT. Prior to retiring as a Captain from the United States Navy he served as the Chairman of the Department of Leadership, Ethics, and Law and as Permanent Military Professor of Applied Ethics and Leadership at the United States Naval Academy. Having served in a variety of leadership positions in the Navy Captain McInerney was selected for the Navy Permanent Military Professor Program. As a member of that program, he graduated from The Catholic University of America with a doctorate in systematic theology. Captain McInerney also holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the United States Naval Academy and a Masters of Theological Studies from the John Paul II Institute in Washington DC. In 2016, Captain McInerney published his first book, The Greatness of Humility: St. Augustine on Moral Excellence (Wipf &Stock, 2016). His most recent publication is Passion and Paradox: The Leadership Genius of Jesus Christ (Catholic Information Service, 2018).
SHAWN WLLIAMS
Senior Vice President, Field Management
Shawn is a graduate of The University of South Florida, with a degree in Communication. He has 23 years in banking and financial sales experience and has held multiple sales and leadership positions throughout his career.
In 2003 shortly after the birth of his first child, Shawn joined the Knight of Columbus at the age of 27.
He enjoyed his experience as Knight so much, that in 2013 He left New York Life and joined The Gitto Agency in Orlando Florida as a Field Agent, where he earned multiple award trips and was a member of MDRT.
In 2017 Shawn successfully launched a new agency for the Order as a General Agent in the Western half of North Carolina achieving multiple MDRT agents and awards trip winners each year. During his tenure as a General Agent, Shawn and his team consistently ranked among the top Agencies in the Order.
In 2019 Shawn was promoted to Vice president of Agency Performance. In this role, during the pandemic of 2020, He led the field force through its transition to the Orders first virtual sales platform, significantly improving and expanding the sales performance of all US and Canadian Agencies.
In July of 2021 he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Field Management with oversight of all insurance distribution and sales. Currently leading a field force of 86 agencies and just under 1000 agents in the US and Canada.
Shawn is Co-founder and past board member of Charlotte, North Carolina’s first Catholic Radio Station “Carolina Catholic Radio Network” a multi-platform non-profit media organization with a volunteer staff of 30 and over 500,000 listeners. This ministry greatly supports the Bishop and priests of the Diocese of Charlotte since their inception in mid-2017.
Shawn has been married to his wife Maria since 2000, they have six children whom they homeschool.
TONY MINOPOLI
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
President & Chief Investment Officer of Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors
Tony joined Knights of Columbus in 2005 and became Chief Operating Officer in March 2021. He is responsible for investment operations, human resources and all insurance operations, including underwriting, policy administration and customer service.
In his role as President & Chief Investment Officer of Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, Tony is responsible for the day to day management of the Knight’s $29 billion General Account investment portfolio as well as serving as member of the Board of Directors. The Knights of Columbus’ New Haven investment staff of 11 investment professionals is directly responsible for management of $24 billion of fixed income and $500 million of preferred equity and the investment staff of 9 investment professionals in Boston is responsible for over $1 billion in equity investments. In his role as CIO, Tony is also responsible for overseeing the investment managers in the Knights’ defined benefit pension plan, defined contribution plan and charitable assets, all of which are externally managed.
In 2014, Tony led the creation of Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors (KOCAA), a registered investment advisor and serves as President and Chief Investment Officer. KOCAA offers investment products including 9 mutual funds (seven equity and two fixed income), commingled funds that invest in fixed income and limited partnerships with strategies for senior secured loans and long/short equity. This company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Knights of Columbus and was created to manage Catholic compliant strategies for Catholic intuitional investors. KOCAA recently became the subadvisor to a Catholic compliant global equity ETF, sold by Faith Investment Services.
Prior to joining the Knights of Columbus, Tony spent 18 years at Evaluation Associates with the last 10 years in the role of Senior Consultant. Tony worked with a wide array of pension and foundation clients including Colgate-Palmolive, Bristol-Myers, Albertson’s, Con Edison, M&T Bank, Teagle Foundation and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
DR. JONATHAN REYES
Senior Vice President, Communications and Strategic Partnerships
Jonathan Reyes currently serves as the Senior Vice President for Communications and Strategic Partnerships for the Knights of Columbus.
Prior to this, he served as Assistant General Secretary for Integral Human Development and executive director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
He came to the role from his work as President and CEO of Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Denver. Dr. Reyes also founded Christ in the City, a national volunteer and formation program for college students.
In 2005, Dr. Reyes also helped found the Augustine Institute of Denver, a graduate program devoted to Catholic Theological studies and leadership training and served as its first president.
Dr. Reyes also spent several years as a Vice President for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students as well as the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Christendom College where he also served a professor of history.
He studied European history as a Rackham Fellow at the University of Michigan, earning a PhD in European History at the University of Notre Dame. He and his wife have seven children.
CHRISTOPHER CZYZEWSKI
Coordinator of College Councils
Chris is originally from Philadelphia, PA and is a 2020 Graduate of Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ where he studied Political Science with a concentration in international relations. He is the Past Grand Knight of Saint Peter’s University Council 7913, and a member of the 2019 College Councils Advisory Board.
In July of 2021, Chris began working for the Supreme Office as Coordinator of College Councils. He is looking forward to engaging with college Knights throughout the country, especially in his territory, the Northeastern and Western U.S. this fraternal year!
When he’s not working or volunteering with the Knights of Columbus, Chris enjoys cycling, hiking, rock climbing, and beekeeping.
Chris currently live with his family of five in Philadelphia, PA.
Council Programming Best Practices:
Jacob Artz – Villanova University Council 4609
AJ DeGrado - Georgetown University Council 6375
Seth Caraecle—University of Florida Council 13900
Knights of Columbus College Councils are built on programs. Programs are the foundation for starting a new college council, sustaining, and building vibrant ones, and reviving those that have fallen dormant. This presentation will expose councils to the vast number of programs offered in the Faith in Action program model and will focus on programming with the goal of forming council members in virtue. Effective council programs must be infused with meaning drawn from the pillars of the Knights of Columbus, and this presentation will focus on developing programming that does this while responding to needs on campus.
While becoming familiar with these programs is crucial, we will also discuss appropriate implementation and delegation for straightforward execution. Councils of all sizes can effectively program. In doing so, college knights can make a positive impact on campus, collaborate with other student organizations, and fulfill the requirements for the Columbian and Star Council Awards.
Recruitment and Retention Strategies:
Jacob Pierce – Texas A&M University Council 10624
Jonathan “Conaire” Bradfield – Truman State University Council 17660
This breakout session will address two central goals of recruitment and retainment. The first is to inspire. We hope to ignite a spark in your college council that will help you bring new members into your ranks. In this session, you will learn tips for developing programs that attract new members and will have the opportunity to walk through a sample recruitment week.
The second is to educate. This breakout will assist college councils in understanding the most engaging ways to retain current members. After brining new members into the fold, it is crucial to keep them engaged. We will help you hone the skills necessary to build an active community. This can be accomplished in many ways including, but not limited to, a healthy variety of events and collaboration with other groups on campus. Finally, we will direct you to the appropriate and important resources that will help you reach your recruitment and retention goals.
Council Operations and Officer Training:
Jay Czerniak – Michigan Technological University Council 17237
Thomas Hogan – Magdalen College Council 15669
In this breakout session you will learn key methods that will help your council operate at a higher, more efficient level. This session will demonstrate how to set specific goals as an officer corps and reach them consistently. You will learn strategies that other successful college councils are using on a regular basis. These strategies are simple, and we will highlight their easy application so that your council can begin as soon as you return to campus.
Additionally, we will offer a short tutorial on Officer’s Online and Supplies Online, along with ways to streamline communication between officers and general members. This communication is crucial because it will assist in the delegation of responsibility when it comes to event planning, programs, fraternal events, and council business. Lastly, this presentation will show you how to become familiar with and apply a new, revised meeting format. When your council implements proper strategies, plans, and communication you will be on the fast track for success and Star Council status!
Lifelong Leadership and Knighthood After College:
Samuel Delmer – University of Notre Dame Council 1477
Jack LePage – Norwich University Council 9146
Periods of transition challenge college councils. Although councils might be successful throughout the academic year, it is the winds of change that truly test our survival on campus. When considering the most impactful changes, two come to mind; the first is the turnaround and assimilation of a new officer corps, the second is the transference of our graduating brothers into local councils. Both are crucial when it comes to future success and involvement within the Knights of Columbus.
In this presentation, we hope to provide you with strategies and resources that will assist you in identifying new officers. This should be of high priority to your council because these potential leaders can head small projects, and work with older officers for quality experience and training. Additionally, we will offer a step-by-step process, best practices, and strategies for graduating seniors and lingering members on council rosters. Finally, we will cover the need for alumni engagement which could be of great value. Incorporating former members opens the door to additional financial support, mentor programs, and healthy collaboration with local councils.
Seminarian Session:
Sean Lee – St. Joseph Seminary Council 17205
The goal of this presentation is to aid seminarian councils in finding meaningful and impactful ways to incorporate council activities into the broader seminary life and schedule. Seminary councils have unique needs, but our council structure can be successfully adapted to meet the needs of our seminarian Knights. Categorically, seminarian knighthood is great preparation for chaplaincy and parish work. This can clearly be understood through closer examination of Blessed Michael McGivney’s life.
Additionally, this presentation will address the unique challenges seminarian councils face. These include, but are not limited to, exposure to the local community, minimal recruitment pools, and the hectic life surrounding formation. Though these might seem daunting, we will examine the best, most practical strategies, and key ideas to overcome them. Having a clear vision is crucial to successful council operations and programming. Finally, we will discuss how a clear vision can lead to stronger collaboration with faculty, local councils, and other organizations on campus. There are many reasons why seminarians should join the Knights of Columbus - this has been undeniably apparent for 139 years!