various committees, and has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2012, where he has previously served as Chair and Vice Chair. He is a current Aquinas Board Member and Leader of Deloitte’s annual Impact Day. His community impact is equally impressive: he has chaired Junior Achievement of Central Upstate NY, served on the Business School Dean’s Advisory Council at St. John Fisher University, and held longstanding leadership roles in youth sports, including as president of both the Irondequoit Basketball Club (2009-2020) and Irondequoit All Sports Booster Club (2015-2023). Jim was also founder and president of West Irondequoit Travel Baseball (2010-2015). His commitment to youth development has included over a decade of coaching in little league travel baseball (2005-2015) and basketball club (2009-2020), shaping the lives of countless student-athletes. Jim looks back on his time at Aquinas with deep fondness and gratitude, having built friendships that have stood the test of time. Among his favorite memories is being picked up on snowy mornings by Aquinas legend Mr. Gerald (Jerry) McGuire ‘53—short rides that became meaningful conversations and unexpected moments of mentorship. Those memories, friendships, and values have remained with him throughout his life. Jim Brennan’s distinguished career, tireless service, and unwavering loyalty to Aquinas make him a shining example of what it means to live the Basilian motto: Teach me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge. PETER GUELLI ’83 Distinguished Career Peter (Pete) Guelli, Class of 1983, has built one of the most respected and impactful careers in professional sports. In March 2024, Pete was named Chief Operating Officer (COO) of both the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres. As COO, he oversees all business operations for both franchises, leading strategy and execution across major initiatives—from stadium development and international market growth to fan engagement and media partnerships. Pete returned to the Bills organization after a five-year tenure as COO of the New York Giants, where he led a comprehensive modernization of the team’s business model. During his time with the Giants, he restructured key business functions, built a business intelligence and analytics department, advanced the team’s digital presence, and implemented a new customer service strategy—among other transformational initiatives. He also played a key role in signing Eli Manning to a post-retirement role within the organization and served on the NFL team presidents’ business optimization committee. Prior to joining the Giants, Pete served as COO of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, after originally joining the team in 2009 as EVP and Chief Marketing and Sales Officer. There, he led the franchise’s transition to ownership under Michael Jordan—the first former player to become a majority NBA owner—and helped rebrand the team from the Bobcats back to the historic Hornets identity. He also oversaw the team’s G League launch, NBA Global Games participation in China, venue renovations, and a successful bid to host the 2019 NBA All-Star Game. As President of the Hornets Foundation, he was also deeply involved in the team’s community outreach and investment initiatives. Most recently, Pete has led the Buffalo Bills’ transition from their final season at Highmark Stadium to their new home beginning in 2026. He also guided the Bills into the NFL’s Global Markets Program and oversaw the partnership with Hallmark Media, the NFL, and Skydance Sports to launch “Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story” that will debut in 2025. These efforts exemplify his strategic vision, business acumen, and ability to elevate team brands on both national and global stages. Throughout his extraordinary career, Pete has remained closely connected to his Rochester roots and to Aquinas. He proudly supported Aquinas’ alumni video testimonial series in 2024 and regularly speaks of the foundational values instilled in him as a student—values of Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge that continue to guide his leadership and personal mission. Pete lives in Orchard Park, NY with his wife, Patty, and they have two sons, Gunner and Grayson. Pete’s lifelong love for sports and his commitment to excellence began right here on Dewey Avenue. MICHAEL F. RILEY ’61 Athletics Michael (Mike) Riley’s journey from Aquinas Institute to the U.S. Naval Academy is a testament to how formative early education can be—even when its value isn’t immediately apparent. Though he may not have seemed fully prepared for the rigors of the Academy at the time, Mike later credited Aquinas for laying a stronger foundation than he realized. At the Naval Academy, Mike was privileged to be part of a historic Navy football team that finished the season ranked #2 in the nation, after a hardfought Cotton Bowl loss to the #1-ranked University of Texas. Though he wasn’t a starter, Mike played at guard and contributed to a team that included legendary quarterback Roger Staubach. Known among teammates as “Roger the Dodger,” Staubach honed his scrambling skills behind the team’s often-chaotic “look out” blocks—so named because the linemen, including Mike, would shout warnings as defenders broke through. Mike also played football for the Navy Pensacola team while in preflight training, continuing his passion for the game. Following graduation, Mike served five years as a Navy pilot, including deployment during the Vietnam War—a service he shared with many fellow Aquinas alumni. While in Annapolis, Mike met the love of his life, Marie. The two married in 1965 and went on to raise three daughters. Faced with a pivotal decision— return to Vietnam or leave the Navy—Mike received his discharge on the very day he was scheduled to redeploy. Soon after, he received a call from Delta Air Lines offering him a spot in a newly formed pilot training class. That phone call marked the beginning of a 35-year career as a commercial airline pilot. Mike rose through the ranks at Delta, starting as a flight engineer, then serving as co-pilot, and finally captain. He later became an instructor on the DC-9 and played key roles during Delta’s acquisitions of Pan Am and Western Airlines. He helped develop training programs for the Airbus A-310 and MD-11 fleets, and was designated by the FAA to certify pilots and issue licenses. He concluded his aviation career as a Lead Line Check Airman, conducting in-flight safety evaluations across Delta’s operations. During this time, Mike and Marie settled near New Orleans, where they became active members of their Catholic parish. Mike served as president of the Parish Council and the school board, and was one of the first Lay Ministers to distribute Communion. He also volunteered as a coach for local girls’ softball and soccer leagues, investing time in the community and in his daughters’ lives. As their family grew, Marie pursued her own professional path. A graduate of Georgetown University, she earned a Master’s in Social Work and later a Doctorate in Psychology. After building a successful private practice, she continued her work in the mental health field. For a time, Mike supported her as her office manager—a role he filled with humor and humility. 17 Continues on page 18
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