Board of Directors
Bergen Catholic High School is a private, four-year (9-12) college preparatory school that delivers a traditional, value-centered Catholic education in a 21st Century learning environment and utilizes technology to better prepare students to lead in life and service to others. Bergen Catholic educates the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – by deepening religious faith, developing academic excellence, and strengthening social consciousness and responsibility in young men.
Officers
Mr. Michael Marcon, '82
Chairman
Michael Marcon is a 1982 graduate of Bergen Catholic where he participated in basketball, Crusaders in Christian Action and was a member of the National and Italian Honor Societies.
Mr. James Dowling, '64
Vice Chairman; Chairman – Advancement Committee
Jim Dowling, Class of '64, joined the Bergen Catholic Board in July 2020 and is chair of the Advancement Committee.
Members
Mr. Adam Ackermann '00
Chairman – Investment Committee
Adam Ackermann is a 2000 graduate of Bergen Catholic where he served as captain of the football and wrestling teams. He played college football at Fordham University where he earned a B.S. and MBA in Finance.
Mr. Gerald Crum, AP '22
Gerry grew up in Cresskill, NJ and has a BA in Economics from the University of Virginia. He is currently an Executive Director at Morgan Stanley The Meridian Group – Wealth Management Advisory.
Mr. Michael Ference, '87
Michael Ference, Bergen Catholic class of 1987, is a partner and chair of the executive committee of Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP, based in midtown Manhattan. Michael is a nationally recognized expert in the securities litigation and arbitration arenas.
Dr. Brian Mahoney
President
Prior to BC, Brian served as Head of School for EF Academy – a boarding and day school in Westchester County, New York, was the Head of School at Rockland Country Day School in Congers, NY, and served as both a teacher and administrator at The Harvey School in Katonah, NY, where his teaching career began in 1997.
Mrs. Holly Manuelian, AP '20 & '22
Holly joins the Board as an alumni parent of 2 sons. She is a graduate of Seton Hall University and Quinnipiac University School of Law.
Mr. Patrick Maron, '12
Chairman, Campus Master Plan Committee
Patrick is the Administrative Director for the Villa Marie Claire Hospice in Saddle River, NJ, a 20-bed inpatient hospice facility owned by Holy Name Hospital, where he oversees the development, coordination, implementation, and management of all services offered by Villa Marie Claire.
Mrs. Deirdre Mone
Deirdre Mone is the principal of Iona Prep Lower School in New Rochelle, NY, a school in the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers network of schools. She has worked at Iona Prep as a high school social studies teacher, in the admissions department, and in administration.
Mr. Edward Okuniewski
Edward Okuniewski is the Principal of Brother Rice High School, Bloomfield Hills, MI. Ed has been a lifelong educator – Fourteen years as a classroom teacher and Mathematics Department Chair and twenty-plus years as an Administrator at the central office and school levels.
Br. Gregory Timothy Smyth, CFC
Brother Gregory Timothy Smyth, CFC, recently celebrated his sixtieth year as a Brother. A graduate of Iona College with a BS in Biology, Br. Tim started his teaching career as a high school Biology teacher. In the years following, he taught related subjects – Chemistry, Physics, Math – as well as Religion. Brother also holds an MEd in Private School
Mrs. Benedetta Watros, AP '23
Benedetta Watros is an alumni parent of the class of 2023. She spent much of her career optimizing and transforming noteworthy fashion labels and iconic brands.