Architects of a Decade
Strengthening the Foundation: Lou Donatelli ’52
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ou Donatelli ’52 has a special relationship with St. John’s and the Christian Brothers. When he was a student, his mother and father, Elsie and Louis, were very involved in the Mothers’ Club and Men’s Club. The Brothers were also close family friends who would often visit the Donatelli home to join them for meals and to watch television programs. Then, during his senior year at Villanova University, his father passed away. His brother, Jim ’56, was still a high school student, and the Brothers embraced the Donatelli family. They took Elsie under their wing, providing her with a job at the school and helping her adjust to her new life; she continued to work at St. John’s until the late 1970s. Donatelli remains immensely grateful for their kindness, which he said was “above and beyond the call of duty.” That experience cemented his bond with St. John’s, and he remains devoted more than 60 years later. The school’s strong moral foundation and Lasallian philosophies shaped the man he became and had a profound effect on the life he’s led since graduation. “It’s a mutual love affair,” Donatelli reflected. “St. John’s has been a very rewarding experience for me. We try to live by the Lasallian tradition in our lives, so it’s been very important to me and to my family.” Donatelli is a steadfast supporter of Catholic education, a cause he has long championed at St. John’s and other DC-area educational institutions, and it is an interest shared by his extended family. Many Donatellis have attended St. John’s, including his son, Doug ’79; his nephews, David ’83 and James ’80; his great-niece, Elizabeth ’11; and his great-nephew, James ’13. Others chose to attend Gonzaga College High School, which has sparked a friendly rivalry at family functions. Lou Donatelli was the first St. John’s alumnus to sit on SJC-rival Gonzaga’s board of trustees, which clearly shows the strength of his belief in supporting Catholic institutions. However, St. John’s is his favorite school, and Donatelli has stayed actively involved in its life over the years. He was there when the school struggled in the late 1980s and early 1990s, rallying alumni to support the school and helping to make the changes needed to usher in a new era at St. John’s. The school called on Donatelli again in 2000, and he joined the St. John’s Board of Trustees. He took on a leadership role within the Finance Committee, focusing on securing the school’s financial future. “It certainly means more than just a high school to my dad. St. John’s was always there to help our family when we needed it, and I think my father has always felt a profound amount of gratitude to St. John’s for that,” Doug Donatelli said. “So anything that he could do to help out, he’s always been willing to do.” Donatelli has had a long career in finance, having worked on the New York Stock Exchange and in securities before opening Donatelli and Klein, a real estate investment firm. The company later split into two firms: First Potomac Realty Trust, where son Doug is currently CEO and chairman, and Donatelli Development, Inc., where Donatelli serves as chairman.
Mitch Neitzey, current parent and chair of the Finance Committee, began working with Donatelli in 2010, when he was preparing to end his 10-year term on the board. The school convinced Donatelli to stay on as an advisor, and Neitzey has relied on his excellent advice and straightforward feedback.
“ I’ve been very impressed with the caliber of the students and the education they’ve received at St. John’s. The school should be very proud of that; I know I am.” – Lou Donatelli ’52 “He’s such a wonderful resource to have. The depth of his business knowledge and life experience is unique. He’s always the first one I think to call when I have any ideas or want to talk though any issues related to financial matters at the school,” Neitzey said. “He loves St. John’s and continues to spend a lot of time devoted to the welfare of the school and the students; it’s one of his main concerns in life. He always finds time for St. John’s.” St. John’s President Jeff Mancabelli has also enjoyed a close working relationship with Donatelli over the years. “He has been a mentor to me in so many ways. During my transition from principal to president, he wanted to ensure he was there for me with advice, counsel and support. I am so grateful for our relationship and for his support of the school and my work.” St. John’s College High School 23