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John E. Skvarla III ’70 loyal alumnus, attorney, entrepreneur and author Ask John Skvarla ’70 why he has been so helpful and supportive of Manhattan’s activities in North Carolina, and he will tell you because he is proud of the College but even more enthusiastic about the untapped potential for the institution. Throughout the years, John has attended and brought guests to NCAA games in which Manhattan has played in North Carolina (notably against Florida, Wake Forest and North Carolina State); hosted golf outings for alumni and guests from the College; underwritten the Jasper Open with generous golf packages; and, in October, co-hosted with Dennis Burns ’67, Ken ’88 and Christine ’89 Peeples, Denis Gray ’70, Joseph McEvoy ’69, Conrad Weiden ’80 and Robert Wertis ’54, a reception for Manhattan alumni at the Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, N.C. That reception afforded alumni an opportunity to hear about the College’s Lasallian mission and its capital campaign to raise $150 million (see full story). John is the son of Manhattan alumnus, John E. Skvarla Jr. ’44 and graduated from the College in 1970 with a degree in economics. He went on to secure his law degree from the University of North Carolina in 1973. After a dozen years as a practicing attorney, John now buys, operates (and occasionally sells) companies. He is currently president and COO of Restoration Systems, a company based in Raleigh that provides mitigation credit and turn-key mitigation for impacted wetlands. Previously, he has operated and sold a cargo airline, an equipment manufacturing company and even two golf courses. John was also CEO of Pro-Active Therapy, Inc., which owned and operated 75 physical therapy centers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. While at Pro-Active, he published The People’s Prescription for What Really Ails America’s Health Care System, a study on the history and reformation of America’s health care. Having conducted more than 300 TV and radio interviews on the topic, John was a voice in the 1994-1995 debate on the Clinton health care reformation proposal.
Elizabeth and John Skvarla ’70
A resident of Pinehurst, N.C., John and his wife, Elizabeth (CMSV ’70), are very active in their community. Elizabeth serves on the UNC Neuroscience Advisory Board, Sandhills Community College Foundation Board and The Carolina Ballet Board. They have two grown children, Matt and Kate. As a hobby, John and Liz play golf and collect antique cars. John is also a loyal supporter of his alma mater. He is a leadership donor to the College’s capital campaign and the newest member of the Covenant Society with a bequest. His best advice to the College is, “Let alumni know that Manhattan is behind some of its competitor schools in endowment, and that alumni support is vital to bridge that gap.”
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