Speakers for the 2018 Conference:
Elvis Grbac was born August 13, 1970 in Cleveland, Ohio to parents Ivan and Cecilija Grbac who immigrated to the United States from Croatia in 1967. Grbac grew up in Willoughby Hills and attended St. Joseph High School, where he played basketball and football. St. Joe’s famously has produced some of the greatest athletes to come out of a single high school in Northeast Ohio including Clark Kellogg, Bob Golic, Mike Golic, London Fletcher, and Elvis’ high school and future college teammate and receiver, Desmond Howard.
Grbac was recruited by the University of Michigan as part of their 1988 recruiting class, which Bleacher Report just named one of Michigan’s greatest recruiting classes. This 1988 class entered under Michigan coaching legend, Bo Schembechler, who was succeed by Coach Gary Moeller when Schembechler retired at the completion of their 1989 season. Starting a few games in the 1989 season, Grbac officially took over as the starting quarterback in 1990 where he led the Wolverines to a co-Big Ten Championship that year.
Following a successful college career, Elvis Grbac entered in 1993 NFL Draft and was selected in the eighth round by the San Francisco 49ers. During his 1994 rookie season, the 49ers won Super Bowl XXIX with a 49-26 victory over the San Diego Chargers. Grbac served as backup quarterback to Steve Young from 1994-1996, appearing in 42 games with the 49ers, including 9 as the starting quarterback. Grbac averaged an 89.0 QB rating during his time with the San Francisco 49ers. In 1997, Grbac signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as their starting quarterback and led them to their fourth AFC West Division championship. Grbac played with the Chiefs for four seasons, ending on a high note in the year 2000, where he was selected to the Pro Bowl having compiled 4,169 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and a passer rating of 89.9.
Inspired to share his life story and continue coaching beyond football, Elvis has become very involved in the Catholic community in Northeast Ohio. He serves on the pastoral council at the Church of the Holy Angels in Chagrin Falls and is involved in teaching Youth Catechesis. Elvis is also currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary. Elvis is married to his high school sweetheart, Lori, and has three beautiful children.
Fr. Stan Fortuna, C.F.R., is one of the eight founding members of the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (an order established in the Archdiocese of New York under the jurisdiction of John Cardinal O'Connor) and a Roman Catholic priest. Prior to his conversion, Fr. Stan was a professional jazz musician who studied with the legendary Lennie Tristano and toured/played in various venues including Birdland and Lincoln Center.
The C.F.R.’s adhere to an ascetic lifestyle in their friaries and live in impoverished areas around the world, ministering to the needy. Since the religious order began in 1987, Fr. Stan has been involved with community development and the implementation of various social programs in the South Bronx. Also in 1987, Fr. Stan established his non-profit company, Francesco Productions mixing music and message (
www.francescoproductions.com). He has independently released over eighteen CD’s in various genres, as well as DVDs and books.
With his preaching apostolate, Fr. Stan travels extensively doing talks and concerts around the world, with proceeds from bookings and sales going towards his work with poor and underprivileged families.
Pete Burak is the Director of a Catholic outreach seeking to form young adults into intentional disciples of Jesus Christ. He is a 2010 graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, and is working toward a Master’s in Theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, MI. Pete is a frequent speaker at numerous youth and adult events. Pete and his wife Cait, have three children, Grace, Erin, and Donovan.
Brian Greenfield was born and raised in Washington, DC. After graduating from Gonzaga College High School, Brian attended Seton Hall University. While there, God moved powerfully in Brian's heart and Life. Brian began to attend a weekly prayer meeting with other students. This eventually grew into a retreat ministry called the 12 Apostles Program. While leading a retreat, Brian promised God that he would stop living for himself and gave his life to Jesus Christ.
He continued to work in youth and young adult ministry during his four years at Seton Hall, speaking at numerous youth events and youth groups. After graduating with a degree in communications, Brian attended the Franciscan University of Steubenville for theology. While at Franciscan, he felt God calling him to give more of himself. Brian withdrew from school and entered the Community of the Franciscans of the Renewal. As a postulant, Brian lived in Harlem, served the poor, and began his formation as a Franciscan Friar.
After finishing the postulancy, Brian returned to Washington, DC to further discern God's call for his life. Brian returned to Seton Hall University to study theology, where he served as a part-time Campus Minister for the university. Brian taught religion at Paramus Catholic High School. He also began his work with Hard as Nails Ministries. He received his M.A. in Theology in May 2005 and an M.A. in Education Leadership in 2012.
Brian has spoken to thousands of youth and young adults about the message of Jesus Christ. He has written numerous articles concerning various aspects of Christian living. Brian is also one of the few black catholic evangelists in the United States.
Brian believes that God has given him gifts to bring the message of Jesus Christ to others and knows that there is a prevailing hopelessness in this world that can only be remedied through an encounter with Christ. Brian taught theology for six years and is currently the Director of Campus Ministry at Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida. He resides in Spring Hill Florida with his wife Genevieve and his two children Mieko and Michael.
Master of Ceremonies:
Wayne Messmer has been the Master of Ceremonies for several years now. He is most well known for his singing at Chicago Cubs baseball games and Chicago Wolves hockey games.
