The Paul G. Zurkowski Founder's Award
Jay Long
Jay was raised in NJ, the oldest of seven children. After graduating from Bergen Catholic HS, he wound up in DC for college and never left. With a degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry he headed out ….and spent a year building houses in the boomtown that was Northern Virginia! Next stop was Our Lady of Good Counsel where he taught Chemistry (There were a lot fewer elements back then!) and coached lacrosse. It was then that he met colleague Emmet Davitt’s sister, Patty. One thing led to another and with over forty years, four daughters, three grandchildren (and counting) under their belt, it continues to be a wonderful journey.
Maggie, Brydie, Sarah and Caroline all attended St Bernadettes and The Academy of the Holy Cross where Jay “coached” sixteen Powder Puff games over twelve years going a tradition bound 8 and 8. The Longs continue to enthusiastically support the Friday night, St Bernadette’s snack shack, watching oldest grandson, Jude, a St Bs first grader.
Most of Jay’s professional life was with Ruppert companies, primarily Ruppert Landscape and included an MBA from The University of Maryland. Ruppert Landscape is one of the largest commercial landscape construction and maintenance companies in the country, operating over 50 branches in 11 states. As a partner and vice president there, Jay oversaw human resources, training, recruiting and safety and risk management. Jay became an active member of the Catholic Business Network in 2010; served on the CBN board from 2012 to 2020 and as President in 2019.
Since retiring in 2020, Jay has enjoyed family construction projects, studying Italian, cooking Sunday dinners, travelling, and Swedish Death Cleaning! He volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and the Gabriel Project. Jay continues to stay actively involved in the work of CBN-MC and is a regular participant in the organization’s activities and events.
Past Paul G. Zurkowski Founder's Award Winners
2024: Tim Tehan (posthumously): 2023: Julie Beavers: 2022: Lance Ford, 2021: Peter Hodgson , 2020: Mark Johannessen, 2019: Gerard McLoughlin, 2018: Rob Scanlon, 2017: Barbara Murphy Kromer, 2016: Msgr. John MacFarlane, 2015: Mark Gregory, 2014: Sue Palka, 2013: Michael Murray, 2012: William Gessner, 2011: Matthew Carroccio, 2010: John Treseler, 2009: Anita Segreti, 2008: Eileen Vaughan, 2007: Rob Smith, 2006: John Matteo, 2004: Kathleen Bovello, 2003: Nancy Bulloug.
