Joliet Catholic Academy hosts annual Alumni Career Day with 41 guest speakers

On April 30, 2025, Joliet Catholic Academy invited 41 alumni to engage with junior students as part of their annual Alumni Career Day. The event was designed to offer insights into career journeys, sharing both achievements and setbacks with the students.

Over the course of the day, each alumnus delivered a 20-minute talk focusing on their current roles and the career paths they have taken. Students were encouraged to engage with the presenters by asking questions. Some alumni expressed their willingness to assist students beyond Career Day as they navigate their future career plans.

JCA Director of Alumni Relations, Sue Bebar, reflected on the day stating, “It was such a pleasure to see alums from 1955 to 2020 return to JCA. Our students benefited from hearing from a diverse group of careers and it opened their minds to all the possibilities. Big thanks to our alums for being here today!”

The alumni represented a wide range of professions, including law, public utilities, education, healthcare, and business. The list of presenters varied in graduation years from 1955 up to 2020, evidencing the enduring connection of JCA alumni with their alma mater.

Below is a list of all the JCA Alumni who presented at Career Day:

- Daniel Adler, Class of 1972, Attorney and Law Firm President

- Bill Baltz, Class of 1992, Deputy Director of Public Utilities

- Kevin Bayci, Class of 2005, Engineering Manager

- Pat Cardwell, Class of 1988, Law Enforcement Sergeant

- Liz Cauffman, Class of 1979, Sr. Director of Human Resources

- John Coyne, Class of 1955, Author

- Mary Davis, Class of 1986, School Social Worker and Mental Health Therapist

- Jennifer DeGeus, Class of 1991, Pediatrician

- Darren Deskin, Class of 1978, Alderman and Chiropractor

- John Fitzgerald, Class of 1980, Director of Marketing and Communications

- Morgan Foreman, Class of 2008, Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired

- Alex Frescura, Class of 2019, Medical Device Sales Representative

- Joe Frescura, Class of 1988, Retired Army Colonel and FT Trainer & SWAT Operator

- Mary Hansen Davis, Class of 2010, ICU RN and Nursing Instructor

- Alsera Hayes, Class of 1986, HR Manager and Team Leader

- Casey Hermes, Class of 2004, Director of Human Resources

- John Hock, Class of 1999, Circuit Judge

- Kevin Jensen II, Class of 2014, Senior Vessel Operator and Marine Shipping Agent

- Vincent Johnson, Class of 1992, Photographer

- Raymond Jones, Class of 1961, Funeral Home Owner and Director

- Fr. Michael Joyce, Priest and Vocation Director

- Paul Kosinski, Class of 2020, Arborist

- Nola Lara, Class of 1969, Retired Dept. Chairwoman and Foreign Language Teacher

- Cassandra Maurer, Class of 2007, LCSW and CADC

- Thomas McGarry, Class of 1976, Physician and Associate Professor of Medicine

- Brien McHugh, Class of 1974, Associate Professor of Communications and Media

- Katie Michel, Class of 1987, Senior VP Industrial Real Estate Development

- Ken Mihelich, Class of 1983, Chief Financial Officer and VP

- Marge Mostyn, Class of 1965, Retired Educator, Artist, and Poet

- Neil Offerman, Class of 2008, Senior Project Manager Construction Management

- Leon Opyd, Class of 1966, College Professor

- Matt Peksa, Class of 1994, Deputy Chief Firefighter

- Dan Petrosko, Class of 1966, Director of Technology

- Vincent Rubino, Class of 1988, Business Owner

- Rebecca Rudaski Nelson, Class of 2006, Emergency Medicine Pharmacist

- Christopher Sarcletti, Class of 1992, Business Continuity Manager

- Jane Schmig, Class of 1976, Retired Assoc. VP Enrollment Management and Marketing

- Jim Trizina, Class of 1976, Retired Director of Public Works

- Larry Wiers, Class of 1966, Retired Superintendent of Schools and Asst. Professor

- Ric Wiesemann, Class of 1973, Retired Chairman and CEO

- Kristen Wyss, Class of 2000, Assistant Public Defender

The event offered students a glimpse into various career paths and provided valuable networking opportunities.