With recent growth and strong momentum heading into the 2023-24 academic year, Abbot Gary Hoover, O.S.B. ’74, the Membership Committee, and the Board of Trustees are pleased to announce new leadership appointments at Benedictine High School.

Mr. Joseph Sweeney ’98 has been elected the Board’s new chairman. Mr. Sweeney is a managing director at Deloitte & Touche LLP and has served as a Benedictine board member for the past three years. He chaired the school’s finance committee and led a number of special projects with the school’s leadership team. Mr. Sweeney replaces Mr. Bill Wilkinson ’82, whose six-year term expires this year.

“The Board extends its deepest gratitude to Mr. Wilkinson for his hard work and dedication in guiding the Benedictine Community in the spirit of St. Benedict.” said Abbot Gary Hoover, O.S.B.’74,  chancellor of Benedictine. “His contributions to Benedictine have played a significant role in the lives of many young men and the future of this institution, and for this we are extremely grateful.” 

“Mr. Sweeney has demonstrated exceptional leadership over the last three years working on many key projects and responsibilities for the school,” Abbot Gary added. “We are excited about this appointment and looking forward to Joe building on the great work achieved before him by Bill.”

Having successfully served multiple leadership positions over the last 15 years, Mr. Chris Lorber ’04, has been named the school’s chief operating officer. Mr. Lorber’s role as vice president of advancement provided oversight of the school’s fundraising initiatives, which included the general operating budget, capital improvement projects, and the $6-million Centennial Campaign. In his new role, Mr. Lorber will assume additional responsibilities of the school’s operating initiatives specifically within Advancement and Admissions.

Benedictine is also pleased to announce that interim director of Admissions, Mr. Mike Stircula ’05, has been named the permanent director of Admissions. Over the past year, Mr. Stircula and the Admissions Department – along with Mr. Brian Stephenson and Mr. Brian McLaughlin – have transformed the department’s systems and processes, growing the incoming 2023-24 freshmen class by 30 percent.

While the school continues a national search for the president under the direction of Mr. Sweeney, Mr. Dominic Fanelli, principal, and Mr. Lorber will share the responsibilities of the head of school until a president is named.

These leadership appointments will continue Benedictine’s rich tradition of developing young men in mind, body and spirit to become the future leaders of their families, churches, businesses and their communities.