Todd Bankofier
Businessman and Entrepreneur
Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, I moved to Arizona to attend ASU. Upon graduating, I had the distinct honor of working on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C for five years before settling down back in Arizona. I met my beautiful wife Kimberley, having just celebrated our 27th year together.
Todd Bankofier, Businessman and Entrepreneur
We have been blessed with 3 children, all whom have flourished in our bountiful Arizona community. Each graduated from Notre Dame Preparatory High School, and have since graduated from college, and are newly settling into their respective careers. My professional career spans multiple sectors including government, non-profit, large and small private enterprise and most recently taking an Arizona entrepreneurial company public. Within all of these diverse organizations, my personal joy is to identify the hidden potential and to drive a new direction for the company and it’s exceptional talent. Turning companies around is my passion, and it always starts with uniting the team around their collective and individual roles in navigating to success – personally and professionally. As a devout family, our faith comes first and we have been so very blessed to be a member of the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix and current parishioners at St. Patrick Catholic Community in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Why is Catholic Education Arizona important to Catholic schools?
CEA is the vehicle to a greater, more productive, stable and thoughtful society. Our role as volunteers under the expert guidance of CEA’s governance is to increase enrollment in a school through the use of the CEA tax credits, which perpetuates greater success for those deserving students who now are able to better obtain a pathway to attend college. Student need has increased exponentially, which strengthens schools with each passing year. As Scripture states, “Every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards
of the many-colored tapestry of God’s grace.” 1 Peter 4:10.
Why is Catholic Education Arizona important to families?
Catholic education provides additional thoughtful layers of hope, prayer and support to an expert educational curriculum. Families who understand and appreciate the gift of private school tuition are not all equal; attending can be expensive and unattainable for families. Yet, this well orchestrated CEA organization provides a tuition assistance vehicle that allows families the ability for their children to qualify for a private Catholic school. Families of all socio-economic levels have access to the faith-based, high achievement schools in our valley. Parents who choose a Catholic school education want their child’s education to be an extension of what they are being taught at home. Parents who choose a Catholic school education want their child’s education to be a remarkable personal faith-based journey. They are looking for influences that resemble their religious beliefs and moral principles.
Why is Catholic Education Arizona important to you?
Having been raised in a family of servant leadership, we were taught the significance of serving others. At the heart of the mission of the CEA, service is foremost. As a faith-filled volunteer, I make my vow to help other families and their children receive a step-up in their access to exceptional faith-based education. It is an honor and privilege to be invited to serve on the Board of the CEA.
Domonic Salce
Intereim Superintendent of Schools
I am a lifelong Catholic and native Arizonan (but not Phoenician). I moved to the valley to attend Arizona State University and never left. I am trained as an educator and worked in the public school system for 20 years as a teacher and administrator at both the junior high and high school levels.
Domonic Salce, Intereim Superintendent of Schools
I was called to the ministry of Catholic education in 2014 where I joined the Diocese of Phoenix as an Assistant Superintendent. Currently I serve as the Interim Superintendent for the Diocese. I am married to my wonderful, loving wife Julia. We have two children, Katie, who is nine, starting 4th grade at St. Mary-Basha Catholic School and Matthew who just turned three and is starting preschool.
Why is Catholic Education Arizona important to Catholic schools?
Catholic Education Arizona works hand-in-hand with our Catholic Schools to support both families and the schools in the State Tax Credit process. There support, both through the tax credit process as well as in their philanthropic ventures assists our schools and the Catholic Church in the development of missionary disciplines of Christ.
Why is Catholic Education Arizona important to families?
They are crucial in assisting those families who desire a Catholic education for their children to have an avenue of tuition support that may not be possible any other way. The mission of CEA is to provide tuition support to underserved families throughout our Diocese and they work tirelessly to be able to accomplish this goal. For over 23 years, through individual and corporate donations, CEA has been able to support thousands of families in achieving their goal of a Catholic education for their children.
Why is Catholic Education Arizona important to you?
An organization who can provide so much support to our families and our schools should be honored as they not only assist the families and schools with tuition but enable those students they support to become missionary disciples and future leaders. As interim superintendent, I applaud the efforts of this wonderful organization as a partner with all our schools.
Victor Serna
Principal at Seton Catholic Preparatory
A native of Southern California, Victor Serna and his wife Evelyn moved to Arizona in July 2017 when Mr. Serna was appointed principal of Seton Catholic Preparatory by Bishop Thomas Olmsted.
Victor Serna, Principal at Seton Catholic Preparatory
Prior to joining Seton, Victor served as an elementary school principal for seven years in Los Angeles. He has the unique experience of being a principal at the elementary and secondary level, as well as serving in inner-city and suburban schools. Above all, Victor views his role as a principal as a ministry to his Church and he feels blessed to be in this position of leadership.
Mr. Serna attended Cal State University, Northridge and Mount St. Mary’s University. He earned a Master’s degree in Education, a second Master’s degree in Educational Administration, and a third Master’s degree in Instructional Leadership. In addition to his education, Victor is certified as a teacher and principal in California and Arizona. He enjoys spending time with his wife, grilling in his back yard, and golfing with his spare time.
Why is Catholic Education Arizona important to Catholic schools?
The gift of Catholic education is the only true and tested approach to forming the whole child. While other schools and systems may say they are “values” based or “holistic,” Catholic schools are the only place where you can experience the living Christ. Catholic schools remain the only place where the soul of a child is nurtured by an educational model rooted in the Gospel message. Catholic schools rely on the support from Catholic Education Arizona to advance the mission of the school. CEA does more than just support schools, CEA serves as a partner in the sense that they accompany the schools through various ventures that help promote Catholic education and makes it attainable for thousands of families.
Why is Catholic Education Arizona important to families?
Catholic Education Arizona continues to make Catholic education affordable and accessible to thousands of families who otherwise could not be able to attend. There are several families who view CEA as a blessing that allows their sons and daughters the opportunity to receive the gift of Catholic education.
Why is Catholic Education Arizona important to you?
As a Catholic school principal, I believe in the mission of Catholic Education Arizona and I see the impact it has on the community. I am a true believer that everyone has their unique gifts and talents that make them a valued child of God. Children get to explore these gifts and grow their talents in Catholic schools, and CEA makes it possible for children in Arizona to pursue a Catholic education and reach their highest potential.
