VOUTSOS BROTHERS

After graduating from Notre Dame in 2014, Tom served as a commissioned officer in the Marine Corps until 2018. He then worked with a social impact startup until he used his GI Bill to attend the University of Chicago to earn his MBA.

Tom explained, “When I entered UC in the fall of 2021, I wanted to explore alternative pathways to home ownership that were more accessible to the working class. However, there isn’t a method to convert renters into homeowners in our working class neighborhoods. So, I put together a student team and started LadderUp Housing in Toledo, Ohio, to solve this problem. By the end of 2021, we had purchased and renovated our first homes under budget. We spent 2022 learning more, refining our approach as landlords, and observing the financial coaching process that would lead our renters to become homeowners. We acquired nine additional properties in December and have completed renovations on six of them. Our goal this year is to acquire an additional 50 properties in Toledo and run pilots in two new Ohio cities.”

Greg graduated from the University of Michigan in 2015 and immediately began work as a management consultant in Chicago. During this time, he gained a wide range of knowledge and experience in operations and process improvement. These attributes were a big plus when, in 2022, Greg made the decision to join LadderUp as Head of Operations and Customer Success.

These young men are committed to their dual purpose of running a “for profit” company while they are serving their community with education and the future of home ownership. Both Tom and Greg have come to understand that the concept of “vocation” has spilled into their work lives.

In March, the Voutsos brothers came home to Catholic Central to speak to business classes taught by Mr. Mike Oakleaf ’05. Oakleaf commented, “Tom and Greg embody everything all Shamrocks aspire to be, so for them to take time from their busy schedules speaks volumes about who they are. The students love hearing real-world examples of the things we are learning in class and hearing others’ stories that may help them find their passion one day. The guys learned about how important it is to understand the customer, build relationships, and operate as an honest businessman!” https://ladderuphousing.com

Spotlighting Alumni & Members of Our CC Family

Eric Sabree ‘72: Rooted in Detroit, Loyal to Catholic Central

When Eric Sabree (Humphries) ’72 entered Detroit Catholic Central High School as a young student, he had no idea how much the school would shape his life. Today, as the Wayne County Treasurer, Sabree is a true leader in his community, rooted in Detroit and fiercely loyal to his alma mater.

Looking back on his time at CC, Sabree remembers being inspired by the school’s motto, a philosophy that was instilled in him by influential figures at the school, such as Coach Rod, who taught him discipline on the wrestling mat, and Fr. Enright, CSB, who encouraged him to dig deeper in his faith search.

“‘Teach me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge’ is a great motto, and I have shared it with many people whom I have worked with over the years,” said Sabree. “That’s something I remember most when I think about the Basilians and teachers at Catholic Central–they demanded excellence from the students, and they wanted us to have fun while we did it,” he said.

Teach Me Goodness

Sabree lives out the principle of Goodness, cultivating faith, compassion, and honor through his personal faith journey, his work as Wayne County Treasurer, and his involvement in Kiwanis.

Sabree’s faith journey started at CC, serving as an altar boy at Mass and encouraged by Fr. Enright to dive into religious studies after his curiosity was peaked while reading the autobiography of Malcom X in Fr. Enright’s English class. Later in life, Sabree had the opportunity to spend a day with Muhammad Ali while on a campaign against drug usage in schools.

“At the end of the day, we were back at the hotel, and I had the chance to ask him about religion,” recalled Sabree. “His response was really interesting. He said, ‘Brother, let me tell you, you should believe in whatever you would believe on an island by yourself, with only you and God.

If you believe in something because of what other people say, then you will be disappointed every time.’ That’s always stuck with me,” said Sabree.

For Sabree, Islam offered him that peace. He converted to the faith, changing his name to Sabree, a family name he says goes back centuries and translates to patience and perseverance.

Sabree exercises the meaning of his namesake on a daily basis through his work as Wayne County Treasurer. Creating affordable payment structures for Wayne County residents, Sabree has helped countless residents keep their homes and stay in their communities. It is a testament to his deep-rooted belief in serving the people of Detroit and Wayne County.

“I try to practice goodness in my daily work,” said Sabree. “I work with people all the time who are having trouble paying their taxes. They might be dealing with some mental or physical illness and just being good to them and trying your best to help is important. But just being good is not good enough. You have to have discipline and knowledge as well because people will try to take advantage of you,” he said.

Sabree’s pursuit of Goodness also extends to his 30-year involvement in Kiwanis, a chapter-based organization founded in Detroit in 1915, serving the needs of children in their communities on a global level. Sabree first became involved with Kiwanis from his father, a past president of the organization.

“I really liked going to meetings with him and getting involved,” said Sabree. “I really enjoyed it, especially the books for kids programs where we give around 100,000 books to kids every year.”

Sabree was honored to be president of the founding Kiwanis Club in 2015, hosting clubs spread across 60 nations in Detroit for their centennial celebration.

“What an amazing opportunity to meet people from all over the world,” said Sabree. Sabree continues to serve on the organization’s Foundation Board, where he and other members seek to raise money for the young people of Detroit.

Teach Me Discipline

Discipline is also a key component of Sabree’s life. He learned this valuable trait during his time at CC through athletics, and he continues to live it out today. He still hits the weights, maintaining his physical fitness, and his disciplined mindset is evident in his work as Wayne County Treasurer.

“I’ll never forget going to a wrestling meet and Coach Rod could tell some of the wrestlers were acting lackadaisical and not giving their best effort,” recalled Sabree. “Well, the next day at practice was like torture, and I learned, don’t ever give less than 100% or you will pay for it in the long run. Here I am still thinking about that life lesson 50 years later – never give less than 100%, or it will cost you,” he said. Sabree also emphasized the importance of leaning on God in times of trial. “Sometimes it’s frustrating because you can’t do everything you want to do,” said Sabree. “There has been plenty of failure in my life, but failure is not a bad thing. It just helps you become stronger and smarter so that you can succeed later. We have to realize that God is going to test us. He is going to test us not to destroy us, but to make us stronger.”

Sabree equated the discipline needed to continue forward to his time on the wrestling mat. “Just like in wrestling, you have to pick yourself back up, see that there’s still time on the clock, and realize you still have a shot to be successful,” said Sabree. “We can apply that to life too, we still woke up this morning, we’re breathing, we still have a shot,” he said.

Teach Me Knowledge

Finally, Knowledge is a value that Sabree has sought relentlessly throughout his life. He learned this through the Basilian Fathers at CC, who encouraged him to pursue a mindset of continual growth and learning. Sabree has taken this advice to heart and has continued to seek out knowledge throughout his career, starting during his time at CC where he would take night classes at Cass Tech to learn plumbing.

Graduating from Michigan State University, Sabree acquired his plumbing license and worked as a plumber before transitioning to a non-profit development housing company, which eventually led him to becoming a supervisor in the building department for the City of Detroit. Fifteen years out from undergrad, Sabree pivoted and returned to the classroom to study law. After law school, Sabree worked for Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer as an appointee in the Housing Commission, trying to renovate public housing and reduce vacancies. He then moved to the Planning and Development Department as Deputy Director, and then later Director, still under Mayor Archer.

Sabree spent three years in private law practice before transitioning to Wayne County, where he worked in the Corporation Council as Chief of the Real Estate Division for six years. When a deputy position opened up in the Wayne County Treasurer Office, Sabree was offered the position. He worked as a deputy for five years, becoming the treasurer in 2016.

Reflecting on his 40-year career journey and his work serving the people of Wayne County, Sabree recalled the rewarding mission of his work.

“People have approached me later, thanking me for helping them get on a plan that allowed them to keep their home and those are the moments that matter,” said Sabree. “I have been blessed to have been in the position to help.”

Shamrock Leader

As a true CC alumnus, Sabree is deeply loyal to his alma mater. He is a frequent visitor to the school, attending class reunions and recently speaking to current students. He also gives back to the school, supporting the mission of Catholic Central and helping to ensure that future generations of students have the same opportunities he did.

“CC prepares its students to be leaders,” said Sabree. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but I met so many people who went to Catholic Central who are leaders today,” he said.

As Sabree continues to lead in his community, he does so with the values of Catholic Central firmly in mind. Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge are guiding principles that have served him well throughout his life, and he is proud to represent them in all that he does.

Sabree’s commitment to Basilian virtues is a testament to the transformative power of a Catholic Central education, and his story is a reminder of the important role that Catholic Central plays in not only shaping the leaders of tomorrow, but spreading Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge through their legacies for future generations to come.