Honorary Committee
Mary Ann Van Elslander
“Art for God’s Sake” is honored and privileged to have Mary Ann Van Elslander on its Honorary Committee. Mrs. Elslander is a local philanthropist who, along with her family, has a long history of supporting area organizations and causes such as:
- Lead gift to name the Van Elslander Cancer Center at St. John Hospital & Medical Center
- Angels Place
- The Michigan Cancer Foundation
- Goodfellows
- Catholic Youth Organization
- Michigan Patrons of the Arts (Artrain)
- National Anti-Defamation League (American Heritage Award)
- The Parade Company
Mary Ann Van Elslander is a dedicated community leader and volunteers weekly with infants in St. John Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
John Hale
John Hale and his family reside in Dearborn, Michigan where they have a tremendous interest in the arts, particularly the sacred arts.
Mr. Hale graduated from the University of Michigan and obtained his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Following graduation from law school, Mr. Hale clerked for Chief Justice Dorothy Comstock Riley on the Michigan Supreme Court. Following his clerkship he was an associate at Bodman, Longley, & Dahling, LLP serving among other clients, the Detroit Lions, the Ford family, and Lear Automotive. Mr. Hale later worked in litigation as in-house counsel at Ford Motor Company.
In 2000, John left the practice of law to join a family business, where he serves as President and co-owner with his Brother-in-Law, David DiFranco. Founded in 1969, Corporate Travel is a tour operator and traditional travel agency that organizes pilgrimages, educational tours, themed cruises, performance tours and musical festivals.
Mr. and Mrs. Hale currently serve as Co-Chairs of the Michigan Chapter of The Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums; is a member of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta, American Association; the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem; the Board of the Detroit Chapter of Legatus; the Cardinal’s Club; the Board of Regents for Ave Maria University; and the Fisherman’s Fund of Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
Teresa Tomeo
Teresa Tomeo is a veteran broadcast-journalist with more than 20 years of experience as a radio and TV news reporter and anchorwoman mainly in the Detroit area.
Teresa first served as an award-winning radio reporter and radio news anchor receiving recognition for her work from the Associated Press, The Detroit Press Club, and the American Women in Radio and TV. She has worked as a reporter/anchor for WKBD-TV 50 and at Detroit’s ABC affiliate, WXYZ-TV Channel 7, covering some of the most significant stories of the ‘90s, including the Oklahoma City Bombing and the 1995 visit to the United States by Pope John Paul II.
In 2000, Teresa decided to leave the secular media to help families and other concerned citizens engage the culture.
She is now an author, a syndicated Catholic talk show host on her own program, Catholic Connection, on Ave Maria Radio, a professional speaker, and a media consultant. Most recently, she was invited to Rome to be one of only 260 international delegates to participate in the 20th anniversary of Mulieris Dignitatum, a “Congress on Women.”
Thomas A. Marcetti Sr.
As state deputy of the Michigan Knights of Columbus, Thomas A. Marcetti Sr. is the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of the 70,000- member Michigan State Council of the Knights of Columbus. He was elected state deputy in 2010 after earlier serving two years each as state secretary, state treasurer, state advocate, and state warden.
Anthony Forlini
Tony Forlini serves as a Republican in the Michigan House of Representatives and is a Certified Financial Planner. Mr. Forlini also acts on the Board of the St. John North Shores Hospital Foundation. From 2004 to 2010, he was the Harrison Township Supervisor. Other past roles include Senior Vice President of the Italian American Cultural Center, Board Member of the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce, Youth Co-Leader at St. Hubert Catholic Church, and Grand Knight of the St. Hubert Knights of Columbus. Anthony Forlini is also the Charter President of the SE Michigan Chapter of the Western Michigan Alumni Association.
For the 2011-12 Legislative Session, State Representative Forlini serves on the Appropriations Committee as Vice Chair of the Agriculture and Judiciary Subcommittees. He also represents residents on the Appropriations General Government and Human Services Subcommittee, where his fiscal experience will be utilized.