THE MOST LOYAL OF SONS

GARDY JOACHIM ’95, AUSTIN NASTA ’14, JULIAN NAVARRO ’19, AND MARLON HOSANG ’87

BY NICK BARONE ’16

Xavier’s impact on the lives of its loyal Sons extends far beyond a four-year journey on 16th Street. This is made clear by the unwavering commitment of Marlon Hosang ’87, Gardy Joachim ’95, Austin Nasta ’14, and Julian Navarro ’19, all of whom have answered the call to return to Xavier and serve as class chairs.

In that role, these four men have galvanized support for Xavier by encouraging fellow Sons to participate in alumni events like the Beefsteak Dinner, in annual fundraising efforts and events, and by advocating for Xavier in whatever ways they can.

“The possibilities are endless when it comes to individuals who share a strong foundation in anything. To be able to share laughs, ideas, and good and bad stories with more than 250 people who shared a similar foundational experience can be infinitely life-affirming,” Nasta said of the class chairs program. “Chris Stevens ’83 always used to say, ‘Your degree is only worth as much as the most recent graduates,’ so I believe we should do all that is in our power to boost that value.”

The class chairs program has also served as a source of support for the four, connecting them to the greater alumni community and offering a source of kinship that has been particularly valuable for each of them.

“In many ways, the best parts about being a class chair are the same best parts of being a Xavier graduate in the first place,” said Navarro. “It’s about the community we all share, the kinship that draws lines between people from the Class of 2019 to the Class of 2014, to the Class of 1995, and so on. I feel like the last few years have been rough for lots of folks—especially emerging from the pandemic. I’ve had to take time off from school in all this, and the greatest support and wisdom and the greatest kindnesses I’ve received have been from the men I’m proud to call my brothers. Being in the position to stay connected has been a real pleasure.” took on a full-time job. dedicated to carrying that spirit forward in all they do.

A chance walk by Xavier one evening led to an encounter with the late Ned Coughlin, S.J. ’62, then Xavier’s headmaster, who later helped Hosang return to Xavier.

To learn more about the class chairs program or to volunteer, contact

“As cliché as it sounds, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love I received from teachers, classmates, and friends I met while at Xavier,” said Hosang. “Staying connected, in service to my classmates and the Xavier community, is a small recompense for the gift that was given to me.”

For Joachim, being a class chair is an opportunity to make an impact on someone else’s life—just as his classmates made an impact on his.

“I can see myself having three different Xavier experiences so far,” said Nasta. “I did well in the track and field program and in the classroom, and it prepared me well for college. When I was earning my master’s at St. John’s and working as an alumni fellow in the Admissions Office, Xavier set me up for the professional world. Now—just as an involved alumnus—I believe I am preparing and bettering myself for the rest of my life.”

Off the heels of a full year of alumni events, the four men look forward to continuing their support for Xavier and her loyal Sons in the months and years beyond.

For Hosang, his Xavier experience was life-changing, and it’s the support from fellow Sons and the rest of the Xavier community that encourages him to give back to the school however he can.

Although a member of the Class of 1987, Hosang began his high school career as a member of the Class of 1986. After a family crisis caused him to withdraw from Xavier during the fall of his junior year, he

“When I read my yearbook soon after graduation, I took pleasure in reading my classmates’ comments,” said Joachim. “These weren’t generic ‘good luck in life’ comments. They were detailed recaps of good and not-so-good times. More importantly, it made me realize I had shared four years of my life with a diverse group of solid individuals. It was at that point I recognized I can have an impact on someone’s life.”

Ultimately, these four men embody the spirit of Xavier and are

“The pride and the renewing strength that comes with something as simple as running into an old classmate on Fifth Avenue, or out at night, and the joy that comes with spending time with everyone you shared memories with allows us to reconnect with a part of our identity,” said Navarro. “It’s a reconnection that can strengthen us and allow us to move forward in our lives, helping each other out.”

Victor Vallo is the new music director/conductor of the Auburn Chamber Orchestra in Auburn, New York. The ensemble has been in existence for 36 years and performs three to four concerts a year. Vallo is also the conductor of the Syracuse Chamber Orchestra and teaches music as an adjunct professor at Le Moyne College in Syracuse.

1974

Jeanne Billings writes, “In February of 2022, my husband Bill Billings suffered an aortic dissection requiring a 12-hour surgery, resulting in a stroke, followed by six-and-a-half weeks in the ICU. Bill is now in a rehabilitation center in Dobbs Ferry. He is off the ventilator but it is a very long road. We ask for your prayers. Bill very much enjoyed attending Xavier events and seeing his classmates. Should you like to send Bill a note you can do so by sending to: William Billings, Esq., 35 Parkview Avenue, Apt. 2L, Bronxville, NY 10708. I will share them with Bill and know he will appreciate them very much.”

On December 31, 2022, Frank Bilski retired from his human resources role at Intertek. He is devoting his time to helping rescue dogs at Husky House.

Paul Brickfield marked 30 years as a private criminal defense lawyer in Northern New Jersey this year and continues in full-time practice. His wife, Nancy, their two sons, and their spouses are also attorneys.

After graduating from Xavier, Mike Bunner earned degrees in electrical engineering, mathematics, and computer science. In 1979 he married his wife, Carol. The couple now has two grown children. Bunner has been employed in various industries over the years, having worked on the computer navigation systems for the Trident missile and the space shuttle, the data collection systems for airborne warning and control systems, and computerized security operations in the Middle East. He currently works as a Cyber Security SME for J&J Corporate. “I enjoy what I’m doing, but I am planning to retire in January 2027, when I’ll be 70,” he writes. “As music was and still is a passion of mine, I’ve somehow managed to find the time to be the bass player in a rock band, where the ages range from 25 up to me at 66.”

Kevin McLaughlin earned the David Brady Award at Merrill Lynch in September 2022. The award is named for a New Yorkbased financial advisor who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. He was highly respected for his client-first ethos and giving back to the community. The award that bears his name was created in his memory in 2007 and seeks to honor individuals nationally within the Wealth Management Division.

Deacon Frank Morano and his wife, Rita, are enjoying retirement in Central Florida. Rita spends much of her time guiding 331 students through various stages of their faith journeys and sacramental preparation, while Frank provides spiritual guidance to all involved in the program as well as some administrative direction to Rita, the program’s coordinator.

In February, Mike Nardolilli served as a judge at the Spong Moot Court Tournament at Virginia’s College of William and Mary.

Philip Whalen wishes to thank his classmates, Jim Keenan, S.J., Ken Boller, S.J., and Jack Raslowsky for their support following the sudden death of his daughter, Lindsey Marie. “Their care and support has been a tremendous lift for me, my wife, and daughter Jenna,” he writes. “Thank you!”

1975

In January, John Kirk, Ken Colangelo, Steve Vincent, Patrick Whalen, James Palumbo, and Charles Arcodia met up for dinner at Peter Luger’s in Williamsburg.

1976

“After 15 years of teaching at NYU (my grad school alma mater) and many years of commuting to NYC, I have now retired from teaching in person,” Frank Apicella writes. “Teaching remote-only sections these days!”

In July 2020, Gordon Beattie retired from Bell Labs/AT&T Labs after 33 years as a member of the technical staff/systems engineer. He and his wife, Nancy, raised three sons in New Jersey. They celebrated their 40th anniversary on June 18. “In 2020, we moved onto 20 acres of farmland in Suwannee County, Florida, and are active at St. Francis Xavier Church in Live Oak. I help with technical needs around the parish, am active in the Knights of Columbus, and led the parish meetings on the Synodal process. Nancy is the volunteer music director, participates in Bible study, and with the Council of Catholic Women,” he writes. “I am still an active amateur radio operator (W2TTT) and am happily employed by VIAVI Solutions in their chief technology office as a senior principal research scientist-engineer focused on 5G, 6G, non-terrestrial networks, and mission-critical communications. In 2023, I expect to be granted my 160th U.S. Patent. Every day, I give thanks to God, my parents, and the faculty and staff of Xavier for the values and lessons learned in those four precious years spent on 16th Street. God bless and keep marching!”

Kevin Moynahan and his wife, Jane, live in Manzanita on the Oregon Coast. Moynahan is semi-retired after working for many years for the Army Corps of Engineers and various law enforcement agencies.

Walter Zampella retired from federal service in November 2022. He and his wife, Hildy, have moved to Sarasota, Florida.

1977

Longtime friends from the Class of 1977—Ed Crocoll, Michael Gargiulo, Rene Mack, Luis Morales, Frank Piscitelli, Stefano Rosic, James Wartski, George Yocher, and Dr. John Young—met in Washington, D.C. for President’s Day Weekend. Members of the group came from as far away as California, Florida, and North Carolina to celebrate their 50 years of brotherhood as Sons of Xavier.

Francis Mark Cimperman P’10 recently retired from finance and now lives in Westport, Connecticut. His son, Chris ’10, is a working actor living in Los Angeles.

Anthony Sarro wound his medical billing company down over the last three years from 26 employees to two (him and an administrator). He now consults in RCM (medical billing) and clinical and medical financial data analytics. He also manages rental properties, travels, and plays bass, saxophone, and harmonica. “Freeing up some time has me exercising more and eating better,” he writes. “I’m staging myself for phase three, I suppose, and I’m looking for ways to give back—perhaps some volunteering. Hope all is well with my Xavier brethren.”

Joe Sexton, longtime reporter and editor at The New York Times and ProPublica, published his first book, The Lost Sons of Omaha, with Scribner on May 9. “Joe Sexton is one of the truly great reporters working today,” according to Bob Woodward.

1978

Craig Eaton P’12 previously served as chair of Brooklyn Community Board 10, chair of the Brooklyn GOP, and is now a co-host of the highly-rated Cats at Night radio show on 77 WABC. The show, which features John Catsimatidis, airs Tuesdays at 5 p.m.

1979

Eduardo Sarduy has lived in Delaware for 13 years. He has been working for BI/Geo Group for nearly four years.

1980

In January, Vincent Balardi was named a partner at the law firm Moritt Hock & Hamroff LLP. On May 28, 2022, Balardi, Vin Handal, and Jim Keenan. S.J. gathered at Kathryn Balardi’s wedding reception. Fr. Keenan was the celebrant, and the Xavier men were classmates throughout their time at Xavier, Fordham University, and Fordham Law, and have remained close ever since.

Mike Barbieri P’10 is a principal partner in a premium vodka imported from Italy called TRUE Vodka. TRUE Vodka is the official vodka of the New York Mets and Citi Field and is featured in many Italian restaurants such as Da Umberto, Fresco by Scotto, Antica Pesa, and Marea, and in steakhouses such as Ben and Jack’s and Mark Joseph’s.

Al Durrell writes that several members of the Class of 1980, along with Fr. Keenan, met for dinner recently at Chadwick’s in Bay Ridge. Durrell and his classmates have gathered on a number of occasions for gettogethers across the states, including Xavier’s Washington, D.C. Reception last December.

Jim Zerilli recently celebrated his 36th anniversary with JPMorgan Chase. He works in the regulatory change management department.

1981

After a nationwide search, Neil Brickfield was recently named executive director of the Pinellas County (Florida) Housing Authority. The housing authority provides safe, affordable housing for more than 8,000 people each day.

Bob Mackey recently celebrated his 40th season as a basketball coach, 33 of them at Christ the King High School in Middle Village, New York. In 2018, USA Today named him the All-USA girls basketball coach of the year.

John Wood has worked for the same company, Telos Corporation, since 1990.

1982

Keith Farrell sends a shout-out to the Xavier warriors of ’81-’82.

John Polis is a partner and chief operating officer with Star Mountain Capital, a specialized investment management firm focused on investing in U.S. businesses with $10 million to $150 million in revenues.

Michael Tartaglia is managing partner at Strategic Tax Planners, which has offices in Manhattan and Brooklyn (and soon in Staten Island).

1983

Greg Brecht reports that a few members of the Class of 1983 gathered for “an off-site Beefsteak/ kayak weekend” in May 2022. “Hoping more ’83 classmates can make it going forward,” he writes.

After ending a 30-plus year career on Wall Street, Rich Lanning recently launched a senior care placement agent franchise, Assisted Living Locators of Greater Essex County and Northwest New Jersey. Lanning attributes his successful launch to assistance provided by his classmate Jim McEleney, who owns the franchise consulting firm FranNet of Greater Tampa Bay. “Jim provided outstanding guidance throughout the process, from evaluating franchise business models that matched my personal, financial, and business objectives through to the day I opened my business,” Lanning writes.

1984

The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency recently appointed Michael Maher as his faculty representative to the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and as the U.S. Naval War College’s George H. W. Bush Chair of National Intelligence.