Name: James M. Gmelich
Age: 45
Title: Principal at Notre Dame Preparatory
Married/Single: Married
Kids: 2 Daughters – Kate 18, Lilly 15
City you live in: Phoenix
I was born…
in Augusta, GA.
My favorite thing about Arizona…
is the people. I have been fortunate to come to know so many people who truly desire to make a difference in the lives of the people of Arizona – from educators, to business professionals, to civic leaders – people in Arizona desire to make life better for those around them. I cannot think of anything more important than advancing our culture of philanthropy and patronage in the service of others.
My family…
makes me whole.
If I could have dinner with anyone…
it would be my wife – I could have no better dinner partner.
One thing I cannot live without is…
music.
I’m inspired by…
my daughter Lilly. She is a Cystic Fibrosis sufferer who understands that CF is not who she is, it is simply what she has. She lives each day with extraordinary grace, determination and joy.
The one person who motivates me is…
Pope Francis. His actions remind each of us that faith, love and compassion, practiced every day, are the greatest change agents in human history.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be…
to end children’s suffering.
The perfect day would be…
being told that we cured Cystic Fibrosis.
My first job…
was a paper route.
My favorite escape is…
the ocean.
My life…
is blessed.
I’m currently working on…
Notre Dame Preparatory’s Capital Campaign that will ensure our continued growth and vitality, and finalizing enrollment for the NDP class of 2018.
Always…
pray.
Never…
give up.
Favorite Quote…
“Act as if everything depended on you; trust as if everything depended on God.” – St. Ignatius of Loyola
