Legatus International announces four new Board appointees

ANN ARBOR, October 12, 2023 -- Following its September meeting in Ann Arbor, the Legatus International Board of Governors proudly announces four exemplary appointments – two new officers, and two new Governor members.
 

• Berni Neal, an International Board member from the Orange County Chapter, has just been named Vice Chairman, from her previous post as Secretary. After a professional career in corporate marketing and advertising, Berni now dedicates her time to Catholic evangelization and philanthropy. She likewise serves as chair of the Legatus Board’s marketing committee. She is also on the boards of the Catholic Leadership Institute, ENDOW, EWTN, Magnificat Foundation, Live Action, Pueri Cantores, and Thomas Aquinas College.  She and husband, Rob, are also members of the Papal Foundation. They are married nearly 40 years with two children, and are grandparents to two more.

 

• S. Craig Henry, of the Lafayette-Acadiana Chapter, was named new Secretary, having served on the International Board for the past four years. Craig is founder of Holy Trinity Catering, a ministry that serves meals for church groups, civic organizations, the poor, and those who find themselves in need during a disaster.  Formerly, he was CEO and managing partner of Bradford Food Group, marketer/distributor of bakery products throughout the U.S. and Mexico. He was a Founding Member and inaugural President (2013-2015) of the Lafayette-Acadiana Chapter, and received the 2019 Ambassador of the Year Award. Craig and his wife, Jamie, have three children.

 

• Robert (Bob) J. Pliska, a Detroit Chapter member for almost 35 years, including as current- and past president (1999-2001), has been appointed once again as Governor to the International Board. He served previously in 2006 for two, three-year terms until 2013. Having devoted his professional life to international commercial real estate growth, he is currently president of the international real estate firm, Sperry Commercial Global Affiliates – Property Investment Counselors, based in Birmingham, MI, with over 60 offices.  As the Detroit Chapter’s former membership VP, Bob grew the chapter to 125 members. He subsequently received the Angott membership award for the Detroit Chapter. The burgeoning chapter eventually split to create the Detroit Northeast Chapter.

 

• Lusant Ordoñez, immediate past-president of the Orlando Chapter, was elected as Governor to the Board earlier this year. He is founder and CEO of Zenodro Homes in central Florida, recently recognized by the Greater Orlando Builders Association as the best overall Multi-Family-Owned Builder in central Florida. A dedicated man of faith, Lusant serves as a Eucharistic Minister and has assisted his parish ministry team and parish council. He is a member of the Catholic Leadership Institute’s Next Generation Parish Task Force, is a Lay Apostle of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Ave Maria University. He has attracted many new members to Legatus through his Catholic enthusiasm in business and beyond. He and his wife, Mariher, are married 26 years and have three children.

Please join the Legatus International Board of Governors in commending these new Governors for their exemplary business and spiritual models, and in assisting them in their endeavors to enhance and optimize Legatus.
 
Legatus International is the singular peer group organization for Catholic CEOs and business leaders, founded in 1987 by Thomas S. Monaghan, former owner of Domino’s Pizza and the Detroit Tigers.  Legatus – which means “ambassador” in Latin – helps executives become exemplary Catholics in their business, community, and personal spheres of influence. With almost 100 chapters and 5000+ members throughout the U.S and Canada, Legatus offers members regional, national, and international networking meetings, retreats, conventions, and inspiring travel – along with the award-winning monthly Legatus Magazine.  Headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI.  www.legatus.org