The 2019 BRAIN (Brother Rice Alumni Interactive Network) for Business season was kicked off in striking fashion at the Civic Opera Building at 20 North Wacker, thanks to hostGreg Papiernik ’76. Forty-one alumni ranging from the Class of 1961 to 2015, exchanged business information and enjoyed complimentary beverages and pizza provided by Greg, Mike Elwood ’74 and the Brother Rice Alumni Association. Another forty alumni also expressed interest in joining BRAIN for future meetings, thanks to the expanded marketing provided through the Alumni eNewsletter, Matt Prunckle ’04 through LinkedIn, and new BRAIN Chairman Brian Barkowski ’95 through LinkedIn and Facebook.
Jim Casey ’70 started the evening off by welcoming everyone and introducing Greg, who described the annual support provided to Brother Rice High School by the Brother Rice Foundation. The evening’s agenda continued with new President Mark Donahue ’74 demonstrating his running start and command of key areas of growth potential for Brother Rice. Brian began by thanking Gary Stubits ’82 for his leadership from 2013 through 2018, and for inspiring the establishment of an entrepreneur class to Brother Rice. Brian then outlined his vision for BRAIN, emphasizing that everyone in the room is presented with the opportunity to make sure they leave with multiple connections whom they can help and who can help them in return to grow their respective businesses and thereby grow their support of Brother Rice. By the end of the night, three more alumni expressed interest in hosting and sponsoring future BRAIN meetings at various locations throughout Chicagoland suburbs.
All alumni are urged to contact Jan at jhickey@brrice.org to participate in this growing network of Crusaders and to host future meetings.
