A Group of Very Special Moms

THE MATRIARCHS

It’s Always Mother’s Day at Crespi

As Sophocles said, “Sons are the anchors of a mother’s life.” There is a special bond between Crespi Men and their moms. Believing in the Mission long after their sons graduate, Crespi is fortunate to have these alumni and current moms on the faculty and staff fostering the next generations of Celts.

Main photo, from left: Debbie Watson, Administrative Assistant (Chris ’99, Robbie ’02); Nan Lehnert, English Dept. Chair (Sam ’25); Donna Long, Director of Student Activities (Matthew ’95, Kevin ’01, Braden ’07); Kim Greenberg, Admissions Assistant (Brandon ’10); Anita Rezzo, Theology Faculty (Thomas ’05, David ’07); Dr. Sherry Brahim, STEM Dept. Chair (Jonathan ’20); Gregoria Leoni, Executive Director of Advancement (Michael ’12, Vincent ’13); Debbie McGaughey, Advancement Events Coordinator (Trevor ’09, Terry ’12); Lisa Alesna, Office Manager (Ryan ’18); Ada Morris, Executive Assistant to Principal & VP of Academics (Tyler ’22); Daunne Bruni, Advancement Administrative Assistant (Christopher ’17, Nick ’19); Kendra Day, Volunteer Coordinator (Hayden ’13). Inset, top: Gina Hayward, Tuition/Accounts Receivables Manager (Conor ’13) and Jacque Barberie, Class of 2023 Academic Counselor (Bradley ’18, Owen ’20, Blake ’25).

Excellence in Leadership

The 1st annual Excellence in Leadership Awards and Dinner was held this summer at Woodland Hills Country Club. Emceed by David Scheper ’76, the dinner was attended by more than 70 alumni, family members, and supporters. The evening honored two alumni who exhibit leadership and service in their daily lives. Chosen for the inaugural event were Michael Zepf ’77 and David DiTomaso ’74. These Celts were selected because they exemplify the tenets of the Crespi Man: moral and spiritual, lifelong learners, and dedicated to the service of others. Crespi was honored to recognize these two leaders who had impact in their fields and community. In their daily life and work, they exhibit the upstanding qualities that Crespi has and continues to instill in young Celts.

ALUMNI CORNER

Honoree: Michael Zepf ’77

Mike Zepf distinguished himself as an Air Force Commander, an expert aviator and command pilot, a Pentagon staff member, and a Special Olympics Coach for almost three decades. The father of a son with autism and developmental and health challenges, Zepf founded Zeponic Farms, whose mission is to increase the availability of local farm-fresh produce to the community while employing and empowering the Special Needs community through therapeutic farming and purposeful work.

Currently, Zepf works at the Pentagon as Chief of Special Air Missions, Office of the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force. As Chief, he supervises the Special Air Mission activity for the safe and timely worldwide airlift of the President, Vice President, Cabinet, Congress, Dept. of Defense officials, Combatant Commanders, and other high-ranking officials and dignitaries of the U.S. and foreign governments.

Before his work at the Pentagon, Zepf flew combat support missions while flying the KC-10 tanker in Operations JUST CAUSE and DESERT STORM. His leadership positions included being a commander of an Airlift Squadron at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland and serving on the Joint Staff and Air Staff at the Pentagon.

While Mr. Zepf’s military and civilian careers have been admirable, his most rewarding journey has been that of a father to Nicholas and Zeponic Farms. The business has won the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Green Award” for its work in providing sustainable agriculture and for the inclusion of workers with special needs.

Honoree: David DiTomaso ’74

Dave DiTomaso was honored for his commitment to Crespi’s distinctive mission of educating young men and his service to the Board of Directors as the longest-serving board member and board chair. Prior to being selected as the first alumnus to lead Crespi’s board, he was active on the Alumni, Governance, Hall of Fame, and Golf Tournament committees.

Dave was part of the group that developed VISION 2020 and the subsequent five-phase Master Plan. As a member of the Board of Directors, he played an integral role in the development, planning, fundraising, and completion of three major projects: The Fine Arts Building, The Technology & Resource Center (TRC), and the largest capital campaign project in school history, The Robinson Family Aquatics Center.

Paying tribute to her brother Dave at the dinner, Kathy Ventimiglia, LvHS ’85 said,” If Dave believes in a meaningful cause or an organization, he will donate his time, money, and energy to help create improvement and a positive influence. Crespi has been one such beneficiary of Dave’s efforts. Crespi has been a part of our family for over 50 years. Nine DiTomasos attended Crespi throughout the 70s and 80s, and three of us DiTomaso girls went to Louisville. For Dave, Crespi positively impacted his life ever since he was a young man.”

“My brother believed that Crespi guided him in his life to become who he is today, and he has always felt that giving back was an integral part of gratitude and growth. And giving back is what he has done, in spades!” she exclaimed. “Not only has Dave donated his time, money, and home to Crespi events, he has offered his guidance directly to students. Dave has been a guest speaker at Career Day for over ten years, imparting his wisdom to young Crespi men about being an entrepreneur.” .