When Ryan Kolb ’97 first stepped onto Catholic Central’s campus as a freshman, he knew only a handful of people. By the time he graduated, he had forged lifelong friendships, developed an enduring connection to his alma mater, and embraced the values that continue to guide him today.

“I was actually raised Lutheran and attended Lutheran schools before high school,” Kolb recalls. “My friend and neighbor Bob Beckman ’95 invited me to coach Holowicki’s Basketball Camp when I was in sixth grade. It was the highlight of my summer, and I wanted to play basketball at CC. My parents thankfully supported my decision—and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Kolb immersed himself in Shamrock life, going from a freshman who knew just a couple of classmates to a senior with a tight-knit group of friends who still gather for an annual Christmas Eve Eve party, now 22 years running. “The Basilian Fathers and faculty truly prepared me to become a responsible and successful adult. They instilled Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge in us. I owe everything to this place. I learned way more here than I did in college,” he says.

One teacher who left a lasting impression was Fr. Menner, Kolb’s freshman algebra instructor. “He was intimidating at first, but when the year ended, I realized he was the best teacher I ever had.”

Today, Kolb is a husband of 21 years to Lisa and father to 16-year-old triplets, Lainey, Emery, and George. The Kolbs raised their children in the Catholic faith, with George now a junior at Catholic Central and the girls juniors at Mercy High School. “It’s amazing seeing my son go through the same things I did at CC, albeit in a nicer facility, but one thing is for sure - this is still Catholic Central!”

Professionally, Kolb serves as President of Hines Park Lincoln in Plymouth and Vice President of Hines Park Ford in New Hudson, employing roughly 250 people. “I draw on my CC education and values daily. Do the right thing. Listen. Care. Be responsible. Strive to be your best. Learn every day. My decisions affect so many people and their families. It’s a great responsibility, and I credit Catholic Central for the foundation they gave me. Goodness. Discipline. Knowledge. It’s not just a slogan. It’s a way of life.”

That sense of responsibility extends into the community, where Kolb has long been committed to giving back. His latest endeavor is serving as the presenting sponsor for an extraordinary cultural and faith event: The Voice of Beauty & the Hand of Grace by the Sixtini Cantores, a quintet from the Pope’s personal Sistine Chapel Choir, performing alongside world-renowned art historian Dr. Elizabeth Lev at St. John’s Resort in Plymouth on Thursday, September 4, 2025. 

The connection to the event came through longtime friends, the DiFranco family, who own and operate Corporate Travel Service. “They produce world-class faith-based and cultural experiences,” Kolb explains. Corporate Travel Service and Hines Park Lincoln share the same values and focus on client experience, which makes this collaboration even more meaningful.  “They planned a family trip for us to Europe last year that included a personal tour of Ephesus in Turkey, the tomb of St. John, the house of the Virgin Mary, and an incredible private tour of the Vatican. It deepened my appreciation for Catholic heritage and history.”

When Kolb learned Corporate Travel was bringing the Pope’s Choir to Plymouth, he was immediately on board. “The Pope’s Choir here in Michigan? How cool is that? Not everyone can travel to Rome to experience something like this. I wanted to help bring that to our community.”

The Sistine Chapel Choir, formally known as the Coro della Cappella Musicale Pontificia Sistina, is the oldest choir in the world and performs at papal liturgies. Sixtini Cantores is not a touring ensemble, making their visit to Plymouth truly rare. Dr. Lev’s accompanying presentation will merge sacred music and sacred art into a celebration of faith, beauty, and tradition.

Back at CC, Kolb continues to invest in the next generation. Recently, he contributed to the school’s new athletic complex, the NAC, which is particularly meaningful as his son competes on the varsity track team. 

“When I was here, facilities were minimal. We had a gym and a couple of practice fields. As a baseball player, it was awesome to finally get a real field on campus in 1995, but the opportunities and facilities available to current and future students are well deserved and a long time coming. We didn’t even have a football field. Now, with the NAC, we will have three football and multipurpose fields, two baseball diamonds and a big nine-lane track and throwing complex.  It feels great to be a part of shaping the future of Catholic Central.”