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Board of Directors

John Conerty – Board Chair

John Conerty is originally from Woodstock, IL attended Marian Central Catholic High School and then Miami University, Oxford Ohio; he earned an athletic scholarship as a member of the football team. John has been in the Commercial Real Estate business for the past 28 years, investing the last 22 years of his career at Savills-Studley, Inc. John was introduced to San Miguel School approximately 10 years ago by fellow board members. Initially, John’s involvement with San Miguel School was mentoring individual students. He was asked to join the San Miguel School board of directors in 2012 and he became board chair in March 2013. John and his wife Kate live in Arlington Heights and they have three adult children. John’s motivation to serve is inspired by his faith and his desire to help poor, academically at-risk; inner-city children transform their lives through education, commitment and love.

Dan Real – Vice Chair

Dan Real is originally from Akron, OH and attended Marquette University. Dan has been the founder/CEO of ECC Insurance Brokers, LLC for the past 21 years and prior to that one of the founders/ EVP of Tri-City Brokerage, Inc. for 16 years. Dan, and his wife Susan, were introduced to San Miguel School approximately 10 years ago through the School of Rock event and he was asked to join the board in 2019. In addition to San Miguel, Dan has been on the Board of La Rabida Children’s Hospital since 2000 and on the Marquette University College of Health Sciences Leadership Council since 2012. Dan and his family passionately believe that they are obligated to give back to all who are less fortunate than they and believe strongly in the mission and operations of San Miguel. Dan and Susan live in Burr Ridge, IL and their three grown children and spouses reside in Chicago.  

Bill Schlesser – Finance Chair 

Bill is a retired commercial real estate banking executive most recently with BMO/Harris. His strengths include leadership, team building and problem-solving through changing business cycles. Bill holds a MBA from Lewis University.  He received a BA from the College of Santa Fe, a Christian Brother’s College. Bill also served on the College of Santa Fe’s Board of Trustees from 1992 to 2000. Bill embraced the Lasallian philosophy through his 12 years of Christian Brother’s education from high school through graduate school. He shares the desire to further the mission of the Brothers to encourage learning in an educational environment committed to excellence. Bill is married to Alexandra and lives in Chicago.  He is the father of 2 adult daughters and grandfather to Rory.

Neil Book 

Neil joined the board in July 2018.  Neil serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Jet Support Services.  Prior to joining JSSI, Mr. Book served as Vice President of Mobility for Juniper Networks, directing its mobile security business unit. His role at Juniper began in 2010, in connection with their acquisition of SMobile Systems, where he had served as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Book began his career at AT&T where he held various management positions. Mr. Book is a graduate of the University of Delaware.

Kevin Duff 

Kevin Duff is originally from the northern suburbs of Chicago and currently lives in Oak Park with his wife.  He has 4 children who attended Ascension School and St. Ignatius College Prep. He graduated from Georgetown University undergraduate and Georgetown Law.  Kevin is an attorney and a partner in the firm of Rachlis Duff & Peel, LLC and has over 28 years of commercial litigation experience. Kevin volunteers with several not for profit organizations including: Brothers and Sisters of Love, Appalachian Service Project and Ascension Church and School. Kevin joined the Board of Directors in December of 2020.

Brother Chris Englert, FSC

Br. Chris was born on April 2, 1955 in Cincinnati where he attended La Salle High School before entering the Brothers in 1972. He received his undergraduate degree from CBU in 1977. He also received a Master of Arts from La Salle University in Philadelphia and a Master of Arts in educational administration from the University of Missouri. Over the course of his teaching career, Brother Chris has taught at La Salle High School in Cincinnati, Ohio; Newport Catholic High School, Kentucky; and Archbishop O’Hara High School in Kansas City, Missouri. Most recently he served as President of Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tennessee, from 1990 to December 2018. He has also served on numerous boards and committees including CBU and Madonna Learning Center. Brother Chris currently serves as Auxiliary Visitor for the Midwest District.

Dan Hession

Dan Hession has 25+ years of commercial real estate experience. Dan’s diverse background also includes 15 years of leasing and managing office buildings. His strategic thinking and customer driven focus make Dan invaluable to both our team as well as our clients. He understands the needs of landlords and property managers enabling him to ascertain the most advantageous construction solutions available. Dan holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Loras College.

Marta Ramirez Krug

Marta Krug is from the south side of Chicago. Her father is from Mexico and mother from southern Illinois. Marta’s father felt that a quality education was a sure way to achieve the American Dream. Marta has a CPA, a Master’s degree in Finance from the University of Chicago and an Accounting degree from Northern Illinois University. She worked for several years as a CPA in public accounting at Peat Marwick specializing in manufacturing and non-profit accounting. Marta also worked in Finance for Kraft Foods for several years. Marta started MRK Financial Services, a firm specializing in financial solutions & consulting for small businesses and in particular, non-profit organizations. Marta and her husband Bill have dedicated many years to San Miguel; in particular, Marta was one of the founding members of San Miguel’s School Rocks concert. After getting married & having children, Marta decided to devote her time to her children and various non-profit endeavors. Marta and her family reside in Burr Ridge Illinois and are passionate about giving back.

Danny Kuo

Danny Kuo is involved in all aspects of Belay Investment Group’s investment activities and portfolio management owned assets, focusing on sourcing and evaluating new acquisitions opportunities, business plan execution, analysis of potential operating partners and the performance of their underlying investments. Mr. Kuo has over 17 years of real estate experience in asset acquisitions, asset management, dispositions, leasing and portfolio management and formerly worked in Chicago for EQ Office until moving full time to California. Danny is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Economics and he has a Masters in Real Estate Development form the University of Southern California.   Danny has been involved in San Miguel for several years and is a loyal supporter of the great mission of San Miguel School Chicago.

Rachel Maguire

Rachel (Mitz) Maguire is the Director of Development for Equity Office. Rachel was introduced to San Miguel School in 2015. She had just finished 10 years of tutoring and mentoring and wanted to get involved with San Miguel. Since then, Rachel Maguire helped formulate the Auxiliary Board of San Miguel School. Rachel and the Auxiliary Board provided much support in their first year. Rachel joined the board of directors shortly after as the liaison between the Auxiliary Board and Board. When Rachel is not working or volunteering you can find her running marathons, working out, and catching up with friends.

Lysa Saran 

Lysa is a recently retired insurance professional.  Lysa has attended several School Rocks events and volunteered her time and talent to make these events a success.  She is committed to providing quality education to underserved communities and looks forward to working with the board of directors towards the San Miguel mission. Lysa and her husband Phil live in Western Springs, and have 2 grown children who attended catholic schools.