Lutheran East to Induct Five New Distinguished Alumni
September 29, 2025
At this Saturday’s OMNIA fundraising gala, hosted by The Cleveland Lutheran High School Association (CLHSA), Lutheran East will recognize and induct five graduates as Distinguished Alumni.
Lutheran East’s five 2025 inductees are:
J. Stephan Holmes, Class of 1971
A standout student-athlete during his years at Lutheran High School East, John “Stefan” Holmes was a three-sport star, excelling in football, basketball, and track. Known for his leadership, work ethic, and athletic ability, he left a lasting legacy on the school’s athletic programs and set a standard for future generations. Following graduation, he attended Bowling Green State University, where he built the foundation for a distinguished career in banking and public service. With over 27 years of experience in the banking industry — including serving as Senior Vice President and Public Funds Officer with First Merit Bank and First National Bank — he has served municipalities, school districts, regional government agencies, and colleges and universities throughout Northeast Ohio. A passionate advocate for community and economic development, he currently serves as a board member of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority, Chairman of the City of Cleveland Community Development Corporation, and Chairman of the Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation. His efforts have helped drive meaningful growth and revitalization across the region. He is supported by his dedicated wife, Pam, and their two children, Heather and Chase, who share his deep commitment to service and continue to contribute to the betterment of the Cleveland community in their own ways. Holmes’ accomplishments over his lifetime demonstrate lasting dedication to service, family, and the community he proudly calls home.
George Kapitzky, CPA, MBA, CPIM, Class of 1977
George Kapitzky and his three sisters were introduced to Christianity when they happened to move to the housing projects just down the street from Zion Lutheran in Cleveland, Ohio. After attending all eight years of grade school there, he went to Lutheran East and graduated in 1977. Following Lutheran East, George received his accounting degree from Marietta College and his MBA from Miami University. He moved to Chicago and joined Arthur Young, a Big Eight Accounting firm, for four years, where he earned his CPA and was a financial auditor with an additional specialty in computer auditing. For the last 20 years, he has been the Chief Financial Officer for private equity, family-owned, and other privately held corporations. In his CFO roles, George developed an expertise in advising companies on disciplined strategic planning, domestic and international acquisitions, post-merger implementations, selling companies and implementing various ERP systems. He has served on various boards, including Reba Place Development Corp (RPDC) in Evanston, Illinois, which helps economically disadvantaged households transition to secure housing. In his spare time, he has taught accounting and finance courses to MBA students, mentored accounting students at Elmhurst University, and has served as an advisor to student entrepreneurs at Millikin University. George and his wife of 35 years were blessed with three sons and raised them in a Christ-centered home.
Thomas Reitz, J.D., Class of 1975
Tom Reitz ’75 exemplifies Lutheran East’s tradition of faith-driven leadership and service. A lifelong East-Sider, Tom’s journey from St. John Lutheran School in Nottingham to St. John Lutheran School in South Euclid, through his formative years at Lutheran East, laid the foundation for a distinguished 35-year legal career. After earning his Bachelor’s degree from George Williams College (1984) and J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law (1988), Tom built a notable practice in Northeast Ohio. Beginning as an Assistant Prosecutor in Portage County, he advanced to full partner at Christley, Herington & Pierce in 1997, later becoming a founding partner of Reitz, Paul & Shorr. His expertise in commercial litigation, real estate development, and estate planning has earned the trust of municipalities, boards of education, and numerous Christian organizations, including The Brethren Church, a national denomination. Tom’s commitment to Lutheran East extends far beyond graduation. He currently serves on both the Cleveland Lutheran High School Association Board of Directors and the Lutheran East Operating Board, and was instrumental in the recent Faith and Future capital campaign. His broader Christian service includes leadership with the Praxis Center for Church Development and participation in disaster relief missions. Now retired from full-time practice, Tom continues his ministry at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Bainbridge. He and his wife, Joan LW’83, reside in Aurora, Ohio, where they’ve raised two children while embodying the values of faith, excellence, and service that define the Lutheran East community.
Diane P. Russell, Class of 1982
Diane P. Russell, a proud 1982 graduate of Lutheran High School East, has built a distinguished career in public service and law. She currently serves as the First Assistant of the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, where she is second-in-command of the largest prosecutor’s office in Ohio, overseeing more than 230 attorneys and 170 staff members. She is the first African American woman to hold this position in the history of the office. For more than two decades, Diane has dedicated her career to seeking justice and fairness. She began as a litigator fighting for children and families, rose through the ranks to become Regional Supervisor, then Criminal Division Chief, and now serves as First Assistant. In these leadership roles, she has worked with the Secret Service and FBI, as well as with the Incident Response Team in the Command Center during the Republican National Convention held in Cleveland, Ohio. She also created protocols and safety plans that helped the office navigate the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 crisis while ensuring continuity of justice. In addition, she pioneered a professional support system for Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys and expanded the Adult Diversion Program, which connects individuals with treatment and services instead of jail or a criminal record. Beyond her work in public service, Diane serves as an Adjunct Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where she has coached the BLSA Mock Trial team to national recognition. She is also an active member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and the National Black Prosecutors Association. Rooted in Cleveland and in faith, Diane treasures her family as a wife, mother of four and two bonus children, and grandmother. Her journey from the halls of Lutheran East to the highest levels of public service is a testament to perseverance, leadership, and her lifelong commitment to community.
Brian Williams, Class of 1985
Brian Williams is a Program Director in the Religion Division at Lilly Endowment Inc., a private philanthropic foundation, where he has served since 2016. His portfolio includes efforts to increase the flourishing of pastoral leaders, strengthening the vitality of Christian congregations, and improving the public understanding of religion. Most recently, he helped launch an initiative to support the preservation of historic Black churches around the country through the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Williams is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and served as pastor of University United Methodist Church (2013-2016), associate pastor at North United Methodist Church (2008-2013) in Indianapolis, and pastor of Granville-Vance Charge in North Carolina (2006-2007). Prior to serving congregations, Williams was a financial advisor (2003-2004) and in sales and marketing at LTV Steel Inc. from 1991 to 2001. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School (2007), a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan-Flint (2002), and a Bachelor of Science in management from Purdue University (1991). Williams is a 1985 graduate of Lutheran High School East.
To view all inducted Distinguished Alumni, visit the Alumni page (scroll down to Distinguished Alumni).