The St. Francis Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of
Mr. Thomas V. Bednar as President of St. Francis High School. 

Tom Bednar brings a wealth of educational leadership and management experience to St. Francis High School. In his 20-year educational career, Bednar has managed organizational operations including, human resources, budget preparation and execution, board relations, media and community relations, marketing and fundraising. School Board Chair, Carl Segneri says, "His priorities and beliefs align with St. Francis' mission to provide a challenging and rewarding curricular and co-curricular high school experience in a nurturing and caring Catholic environment. We are thrilled to welcome Tom to St. Francis." 

Tom Bednar began his career as a member of the faculty at Notre Dame High School, Niles, IL, where he also held positions in Campus Ministry, Admissions and Coaching. From there, he moved to Santiago, Chile, where he taught and directed Campus Ministry at Our Lady of Andacollo School before becoming that school's President. While President, Bednar initiated the renewal of the academic programs and a capital campaign for the reconstruction of the school. While in Chile, he published and implemented an environmental education and recreational program for elementary students, "The Creation of the Lord is in Your Hands." After returning from Chile, Tom served as Director of Cross Cultural Ministries at the University of Notre Dame.

As President of Holy Trinity High School, Chicago, IL, Bednar led a successful $2 million dollar capital campaign and organized the subsequent physical renovations in the school. During that period, enrollment increased by nearly 20 percent. Tom returns to education after working as a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services Inc.

Mr. Bednar is well positioned to lead St. Francis and will help drive the present campaign to build a new science wing and learning center at the 52 year old school. He is a University of Notre Dame alumnus, with a B.A. in Economics and a Master's in Divinity.

Tom, his wife, Lucy, who is also an educator, and their two sons reside in Villa Park and are members of St. Alexander Parish.