Stephen Ray

Steve Ray is a convert to the Catholic Church and the author of three best-selling Ignatius Press books (Crossing the Tiber, Upon this Rock, and St. John’s Gospel). He speaks at conferences around the world and is a regular guest on Catholic Answers Live, The Journey Home and has appeared on many other radio and TV programs, including Fox News. He is a 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. Steve and his wife Janet are certified guides to the Holy Land and lead pilgrimages throughout the Middle East and Rome. He owns Distinctive Maintenance with 600 employees in Michigan and is a member of Legatus. He lives in Michigan with his wife Janet. He has four children and six grandchildren.

Term: Appointed September 2004

Anthony C. Rea

Anthony C. Rea is President and Owner of Fairmount Properties and Area Construction, Inc., developers and design-build contractors. Mr. Rea emigrated to the U.S. when he was sixteen years old and became an American citizen five years later. In 1964, he received a B.S. in Architectural Engineering from Lawrence Technological University. He is a licensed architect in the State of Michigan. Mr. Rea currently serves as Audit Committee Chair for the Executive Committee of the Papal Foundation, a Board Member of Legatus Detroit Chapter, St. Hugo of the Hills Parish, Michigan Opera Theater, Angel’s Place and the Verdi Opera Association. Other affiliations include: past president of Legatus Detroit Chapter, Cardinal Club of Detroit, Notre Dame Library Endowment for Italian Studies, Vatican Arts Restoration, Vatican Libraries, Lennon Center (Non-judgmental council for women anticipating abortion), St. Vincent de Paul, Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, Thomas Moore Law Center, Alliance for Marriage, and the Bloomfield Hills Country Club. In 2003, Mr. Rea received the “Family First Award” for his charitable work in the community. He resides in Bloomfield Hills and has five children.

Term: Appointed September 2004

Alan  D. Reynolds,  AICP

Alan D. Reynolds is the Chairman and CEO of WilsonMiller, a multi-disciplined planning, design and engineering firm with 10 offices and 600 employees throughout Florida.  His specific areas of expertise include environmental design, land use planning, strategic plans, rural land stewardship, and community design. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, American Planning Association and the Urban Land Institute.  Reynolds has served as the principal planner for more than 100 communities, including several recognized as leading examples for the integration of the natural environment with sustainable development. he led a team in the creation of Florida's first Rural Land Stewardship Plan in Collier County, and served as the Principal Planner of Ave Maria New Town and University.  Reynolds received his degree in Environmental Design from Miami University and also studied abroad at London's Architectural Association and in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Term: Appointed November 2007

George P. Schwartz, CFA

Mr. Schwartz is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a Chartered Investment Counselor. For forty years he has been an investment counselor, analyst, and portfolio manager. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, he graduated from Catholic Center High School and the University of Detroit, where he majored in Finance. From 1967 to 1974, he was an Investment Research Analyst with two New York Stock Exchange member firms in Detroit. From 1974 to 1980, he was Senior Investment Officer and Chairman of the Investment Committee of National Bank & Trust Company of Ann Arbor. He is President, CEO, and CIO (Chief Investment Officer) of Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc., a registered investment adviser headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, which he founded in 1980. His organization manages stock and bond portfolios for endowment funds, foundations, pension funds, hedge funds, and mutual funds including the Schwartz Value Funds and the Ave Maria Mutual Funds (a family of six no-load Catholic mutual funds). He is a member of several investment professional organizations and is a published author. He has five grown children, six grandchildren and lives in Plymouth, Michigan with Judi, his wife of 39 years.

Term: Appointed August 2005

Joseph F. Shaughnessy

Joseph F. Shaughnessy was born in Springfield, Illinois in 1935, as was his wife, Rosemary Eck Shaughnessy whom he married in 1957. They are parents of seven children and currently have 19 grandchildren. Joe is Chairman of BCI Constructors, St. Louis, Missouri, a 35 year old ERN Top 400 General Contracting and Construction Management family owned firm he founded and now is successfully managed day to day by sons Paul and James. Joe has a BS in Civil Engineering from St. Louis University, served as a Navy Civil Engineer Corp officer on Guam, and has been in construction for 50 years.  He has received numerous professional and service awards including the St. Louis Award (AGC), the Ernst & Young Construction Entrepreneur Award and the St. Louis University Alumni Merit Award. Joseph and Rosemary jointly received honorary doctorate degrees at the St. Louis University 2007 Commencement Exercises as Doctor of Laws, for exemplar commitment to marriage and family. Joe was Chairman of the Transportation Committee during Pope John Paul II Papal visit to St. Louis in 1999. He is a Steward of St. Peter, Papal Foundation and a founding member of Legatus in St. Louis. He was Honorary Chairman of the United Negro College Fund St. Louis walkathon in 2004. Both he and Rosemary have the Grand Cross rank of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and are Knight and Dame of the Order of Malta, American Association.

Term: Appointed June 2007

Frank D. Stella

Entrepreneur, supporter of education, healthcare, business, community and church leader are all terms that could easily describe Frank D. Stella. He is Founder, Chairman and CEO of the F.D. Stella Products Company, designers and distributor of food service and dining equipment located in Detroit, Michigan. The company was founded in 1946, and today leads a network of affiliates servicing markets in Michigan and throughout the U.S. Frank is also Chairman and CEO of Stella International, New York, a consulting, joint venture and importing firm. An alumnus of the University of Detroit College and Commerce and Finance, Frank as devoted his life to the betterment of others. He was decorated by the Government of Italy three times and received its highest decoration “Grande Ufficiale”, and was awarded a doctorate in business by the Gentium Pacem University in Rome and has received many honorary degrees. Frank has held seats on the boards of numerous civic, business and education organizations and received numerous awards and honors for him commitment and dedication. He was drafted as a private in World War II, and was honorably discharged as a Major in the Army Air Force. He is listed in Who’s Who in America, the World and in the Midwest, Men of Achievements, Community Leaders of America and the Michigan Social Register.

Term: Appointed September 2005

Mary L. Thul

Mrs. Thul was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH. She attended Catholic school grades 1-12, graduating from Summit Country Day School in 1951.  Mrs. Thul then attended the University of Cincinnati where she was a member of Theta Phi Alpha, the Catholic sorority, and in 1955 she received her B.S. in fine arts.  Married in 1956, she has seven children and as a full time mother, resumed her love of art having ten 2-women shows as a member of the Cincinnati Art Club and Women's Art Club.

She moved to Naples, FL in December 2007. As a strong believer in authentic Catholic education, she was naturally drawn to Ave Maria.  

Term: Appointed June 2008