St. Thomas More High School to Welcome New President on July 1

January 29, 2021: St. Thomas More High School is pleased to announce that John Hoch (TM ’87) will assume the role of president on July 1, 2021, following the departure of Mary McIntosh, who has served as the school’s president since July 2015. During the next several months, Hoch and McIntosh will work together to ensure a seamless transition in July.

“John Hoch brings an unbelievable amount of energy, commitment, and passion for St. Thomas More,” said Quarles & Brady attorney Steve Kruzel, who chairs St. Thomas More’s board of directors and oversaw the presidential search process. “He has demonstrated incredible leadership as the school’s athletic director and has proven his dedication to young people and Catholic education during his long history at St. Thomas More — the Board is confident in his ability to transition into the president role and lead the school.”

Over the past 11 years, Hoch has revitalized the school’s athletic department, greatly enhancing the student experience at St. Thomas More. With the assistance of the St. Thomas More Athletic Association, Hoch secured over $1 million in donations to improve the school’s aging athletic facilities, many of which had not been updated in decades.

“Under John’s leadership, St. Thomas More established a state-of-the-art fitness center, renovated its baseball and soccer fields, modernized its girls’ locker room, and replaced tennis courts,” current St. Thomas More President Mary McIntosh explained. “He was also instrumental in the modernization of the Jerry Huennekens Gymnasium, replacing the 50-year-old gym floor with the new Rick Majerus Court and adding much-needed air conditioning.”

Hoch also led the efforts to establish the Coach Jim Haluska Wall of Champions, which has re-engaged alumni from our predecessor schools, helping them recognize St. Thomas More as their alma mater. Named after St. Thomas More’s legendary football coach, the Wall of Champions honors exceptional athletic teams who have represented Don Bosco, Pio Nono, St. Francis Minor Seminary, and St. Thomas More during its 150-year history.

A familiar face at St. Thomas More, Hoch graduated from the school in 1987 and joined the staff of boys’ basketball coach Norb Wishowski (DB ‘54) in 1990. While Hoch achieved professional success working in the private sector, his experience with Wishowski inspired him to apply at St. Thomas More when a business and technology teaching position opened in 2001.

After nine years teaching in the classroom, in 2010, Hoch was named athletic director and became head boys’ basketball coach in 2012.

“Catholic schools have been a part of my life since first grade,” said Hoch, who attended St. Veronica School on Milwaukee’s south side before graduating from St. Thomas More in 1987. “I love every aspect of the school, and I will work tirelessly to ensure that my grandchildren and great-grandchildren can experience and grow as I did by being a part of this celebrated institution.”

“I thank Mary McIntosh for her outstanding service to St. Thomas More High School, and I wish her well as she begins the next chapter of her life,” Hoch added. “I look forward to working with my colleagues as we continue to build upon the Legacy of Faith, Service & Leadership that our school community has cultivated over the past 150 years.”

Hoch holds a master’s degree in Business Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He and his wife, Lori, have twin girls, Katie and Maddie, both of whom graduated from St. Thomas More in 2020. The Hochs are members of St. Mary Catholic Faith Community in Hales Corners.

 

About St. Thomas More High School 

Located on Milwaukee’s historic and diverse south side, St. Thomas More High School provides young men and women with the foundation to lead humbly, to always seek truth and knowledge, and to answer God’s call to serve. St. Thomas More boasts a student-to-teacher ratio of only 13:1 and highlights participatory, project-based education in all subjects. St. Thomas More’s teaching staff includes two Ph.Ds., five Kohl Teacher Fellows, two fellows at the University of Wisconsin’s Center for the Study of the American Constitution, a Project Lead the Way Master teacher, and the Wisconsin Art Teacher of the Year. For more information about St. Thomas More High School, please visit tmore.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.