Chris Ritten '80 serves as the Director of Institutional Advancement. His responsibilities include oversight of all external relations/communications with alumni, families, and friends, including the Defining Moment capital campaign, annual fundraising, planned giving, alumni affairs, special events, and marketing. He re-joined the Academy community in June 2009.

Chris rose to the rank of Cadet Colonel and graduated from STA in 1980. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Business, Chris spent two years with the Claretian Volunteers, a lay Catholic full-time volunteer organization, as a Youth Minister in inner-city Chicago.

After earning a Master of International Management degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in 1987, Chris began a twenty year business career. He spent four years as a Grain Merchandiser with Continental Grain Co. in Aberdeen, SD, and Des Moines, IA, before joining Morgan Stanley as an institutional fixed income salesperson in Chicago in 1991. Chris spent the next sixteen years in Chicago with Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank Securities.

In 2007, Chris left the for-profit world to pursue opportunities in the non-profit sector. After teaching a few business writing courses at Columbia College in Chicago, and several financial education classes in high schools and grade schools, Chris became the Capital Campaign Director at the San Miguel Schools of Chicago in 2008.

Chris is thrilled to be back in the Twin Cities with family and old friends. He and his wife, Kathy (Shanahan) Ritten, were married in 1986 and have five daughters: Claire, Sarah, Maria, Annie and Bridget. They enjoy the hectic life of an active family: church, school, sports, movies, travel, and their dog Licorice.

Gerry Brown '58 returned to the Advancement Office in 2006 as a Fundraising Consultant after five years of retirement. He retired in 2001 after 35 years with the Academy in various staff positions, the last 14 years in the Development Office as Alumni and Annual Fund Director.

Bill Culbertson moved to the Advancement Office in 2008 as a Fundraising Consultant after three months of retirement. After 40 years with the Academy in various staff positions, including Dean of Students, Spanish teacher, Track and Field Coach and College Counselor, Bill is working with the Advancement Office and very much enjoys meeting with his former students across the country.

Mary Culbertson is the Director of Communications. She serves as the editor for Saber; other responsibilities include content management for Cadets.com, advertising and public relations for the school, and communication management for all STA constituents.

Mary grew up in Highland Park, attended Derham Hall, and earned a marketing degree from St. Thomas College.

She served as Saint Thomas Academy’s Auction Coordinator from 2001 to 2004, and then moved to the communications position. Her brother John graduated from STA in 1988, and her sister Ann graduated from Convent of the Visitation School in 1991. And, yes, she is Bill Culbertson’s daughter (not to be confused with his wife Mary Jo).

Richard Kimbrough serves as the Associate Director of Institutional Advancement for Saint Thomas Academy. His responsibilities include the marketing of gift opportunities and identifying campus priorities for current and potential donors to STA.

Rick began his development career at Saint Thomas Academy in 2002. Recently he returned to serve in his current role. During his hiatus from campus he served as Director of Development at Hill-Murray School and the Vice President for Development at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Arkansas. Rick’s experience also includes a consulting role as a planned gift consultant for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Additionally, Rick currently serves on the Minnesota Planned Giving Council Board of Directors.

He is married to Becky - the two met in college at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Becky is an elementary school teacher in the Twin Cities and is toward her Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Leadership at the University of Minnesota. Rick and Becky enjoy going to the movies, reading, gardening, involvement at church and watching football. The two recently became proud parents of their first daughter, Mary.

Laurie Kropp serves as Development Assistant. She handles gift processing and other database management tasks. Laurie comes to Saint Thomas Academy after working for ISD #199. She is married to Kelly and has two sons, Eric and Andrew. She is an active community volunteer. When not watching her boys play sports she enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Michael Maxwell ’84 serves as the Director of Annual Giving. His responsibilities include seeking annual support from current families, Alumni and friends of Saint Thomas Academy.

Michael spent more than ten years in the private club business serving as Membership Director at both the Decathlon Athletic Club and University Club of Saint Paul. For the past 11 years he has owned and operated Maxwell Closets and Home Organization, a leading provider of custom closets and home organization solutions. He also spent seven years as an assistant wrestling coach and one season coaching football at STA in the late eighties and early nineties.

Michael and his wife Sue (Rascher – Visitation ’82) reside in Burnsville along with their three girls (Mirella, Paige and Melissa).

Sue Nybakken, Coordinator for Database Operations and Fiscal Officer, is a 20-year employee of the Academy. She overseas all the hardware and software needs of the Advancement Office; monitors the inflow and outgo of all monies, including receipting and recognition of gifts; and monitors all individual program budgets within the department.

Although Father Thomas F.A. O'Brien was born in Connecticut, he spent his grade school and high school years in Ohio and Michigan.

After receiving degrees in theology and English from Georgetown University and the University of Michigan, with further graduate work at The Catholic University of America, he was ordained a priest to the Diocese of Arlington, VA, in 1983. He later did doctoral work at The University of Virginia, before becoming Director of Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT, where he served for seven years.

He joined the Saint Thomas Academy Institutional Advancement Office in September 2005, coming from his position as Executive Director of Development and External Relations for the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library at Saint John’s University, Collegeville, MN, home of The Saint John’s Bible. His hobbies include reading, cooking, gardening, and spending time with many good friends.

Ingrid Peterson works part-time in the Alumni/Development Office. She retired from ISD # 197, where she was a full-time Spanish teacher. After 33 ½ years of working with kids and parents, this is a "pleasant change of scenery.” Ingrid’s main focus is database management, with an emphasis on tracking down LOST alumni but she helps out around the office as needed.

Shannon Smith, Assistant to the Director of Major Gifts/Planned Giving & the Director of Annual Giving/Alumni Relations, joined the Advancement Department staff in September 2006. Most recently, Shannon served as a graduate assistant supporting 12 professors in the History Department at Minnesota State University-Mankato while she obtained her master’s degree in history. She has also worked as an office specialist for Hennepin County and as Executive Assistant to former United States Senator Rudy Boschwitz.

Shannon obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota. She is married and has one son.

Jodie L. Whaley serves as Special Events Coordinator. She handles events such as the STA Community Auction, Grandparents’ Day and the Opus Sancti Thomae dinner. Prior to working with the Academy community, she worked at Town and Country Club as the Catering/Membership Director for the past eight years.

Jodie grew up in Minnesota and currently lives in Woodbury with her husband Tom and children Ashley and Christopher. In the years of her event planning, Jodie has planned more than 1,000 weddings.