Photography, recruitment, coaching–there is no limit to the fields Prep alumni not only explore, but thrive in. Meet four Eagles with notable stories and learn about the interesting work they've done and are currently doing.
Joe DeBlasio '17
Base Camp: Boxford, Massachusetts/Stowe, Vermont
Hometown: Boxford, Massachusetts
Education: Bachelor’s in Advertising; Minor in Information Technology, Design, and Start-Ups from Syracuse University
Joe DeBlasio’s work on ad campaigns has allowed him to collaborate with some big names throughout his career: Samsung, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Chase Travel, and Michael’s in particular. But what inspired DeBlasio to weave together photography, advertising, and the outdoors? What pivotal moments caused these three areas to intersect? While his various roles right out of college set him up for success in his freelancing career, the catalyst came from the Photography Club at St. John’s Prep.
“My old photography club moderator, Sam Trapani, was the motivation for me,” says DeBlasio. “She was the one who saw me with a camera and suggested I try shooting football games and such. Blending sports and art together, something I wasn’t particularly interested in at the time, ended up creating a career.”
Though DeBlasio’s passion was sparked and fostered in high school, it continued into college where he chose to major in advertising and get a minor in information technology, design, and startups. That combination propelled him into a design internship where his creative drive flourished.
“I became a junior art director at a startup business,” says DeBlasio. “It was a womens fitness company based in New York City that also had some other studios on the west coast. The downside for me was working remotely: trying to figure out that balance was something I struggled with a little.”
Following a layoff after a couple of years at an ad agency, DeBlasio embraced the path of self-employment last January. Though challenging at times, he has found the change to be rewarding, as the transition has led him to co-own Out of Collective, an outdoor media company created from a friend’s podcast, where they share captivating stories of people and places in the outdoors. DeBlasio’s expertise and knowledge shines in his work on video production, event coverage, athlete spotlights,brand and commercial work, and narrative storytelling.
“Through growing Out of Collective and my own personal video production work, I’ve been able to work with some great clients like Red Bull, GoPro, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Sierra Nevada, and more,” says DeBlasio.
Alongside his endeavors in podcasts and the outdoor industry, DeBlasio has come to appreciate and value the robust alumni network of St. John’s Prep. The community continues to provide invaluable connections, relationships, and professional opportunities. “The alumni network is strong, and it’s everywhere. Recently I was doing work in Maine at an event, and I received a message from a Prep alumnus who was working there. That one relationship led to two other smaller professional opportunities. It’s always nice to have those connections, but it’s also nice to go around to these different places for work and have a friend.”
Carol (Carrie) Stone '74
Base Camp: San Diego, California
Hometown: Newbury, MA
Education: B.S. at University of Vermont; Executive Education and Corporate Board Leadership Training at Harvard Business School; Executive Education at Stanford University Directors’ College
Carrie Stone’s career includes executive roles at several renowned companies, including Lord & Taylor, J. Crew, Talbots, the Walt Disney Company, and as a venture partner with a $1.1B venture firm. Each of these roles demanded significant organizational change and agility in hiring and developing talent. She attributes much of her career success to her ability to recruit and develop exceptional executive talent, considering herself something of a renegade and a transformational leader in the field of recruiting.
After years immersed in direct-to-consumer business models and analytics, her focus shifted. In 2003, Stone launched her own executive search firm, cStone & Associates, where she has been recruiting senior executives and board members for companies ranging from Fortune 500 companies to emerging businesses across a range of industries.
“At a certain point, I asked myself, ‘What am I truly good at? What has contributed to my success? What brings me the most joy?’” The answer was clear: recruiting executive talent. Realizing that her then-demanding travel schedule—regular flights between San Diego and Burbank—was unsustainable, she says she prayerfully considered her options.
Stone began by meeting with CEOs, heads of talent acquisition, and private equity leaders to understand their challenges and offer solutions. Her passion for executive recruitment quickly
became evident. “I love ‘making the match,’” she says. “While I work across many industries, I particularly enjoy conducting corporate board searches. Recruiting the ideal candidate requires a considerable amount of time invested up front to understand the scope of the role, the company objectives, culture, plus we focus on the leadership style of the person the candidate will be working for. There is an art and science to what we do.”
Her dedication to leadership extends beyond her firm. She co‐founded the San Diego chapter of Women Corporate Directors, the world’s largest organization for women corporate board members, and was the second woman ever to serve on the International board of the Young Presidents’ Organization. Reflecting on her early years at St. John’s Prep and her recent 50th reunion visit, Stone notes, “As one of the few women at an almost all-male school, I learned early on how to engage and collaborate with men. That experience became a key advantage in my career, especially in its early stages. St. John’s provided a supportive environment to develop those skills.”
Stone’s time at St. John’s Prep proved to be a significant advantage throughout her career, given that she was provided the confidence and strength to pursue her passions. Stone remains impressed with how the Prep community is progressing forward with their philanthropic and volunteerism efforts, and is grateful for how her education has set her up for success.
In her spare time Carrie enjoys pickleball, travel, sailing, volunteering and alpine ski adventures with her son.
Jeff Kampersal '88
Base Camp: State College, Pennsylvania
Hometown: Beverly, MA
Education: Bachelor’s in Psychology, Princeton University
You may wonder how Jeff Kampersal ’88 went from an aspiring veterinarian to becoming the esteemed head coach of the Penn State women’s ice hockey team. His journey started out about 200 miles away at his collegiate alma mater, Princeton, when the coach at the time stepped down to try out for the ’98 olympic team. Kampersal, who was then only 26 years old, was given the opportunity to apply for the role. Considering the oldest player on the team was 23-years-old herself, the athletic directors were concerned about his age, but they opted to take a chance on him anyway.
“The men’s ice hockey coach at the time was the coach during my senior year at Princeton, and he asked me to help out,” says Kampersal. “Three people were offered the job before me, but they all turned down the role for various reasons, so I was offered the position. I was only supposed to coach at Princeton for one year, but I ended up staying for 21 years. After my time at Princeton, I became the head coach at Penn State for the women’s team in 2017 and have spent the last eight years here. Next year will be my 30th year coaching.”
With Kampersal’s experience playing hockey in high school at St. John’s Prep (he was inducted into the School’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009), one might have thought coaching the sport was the natural trajectory after his undergraduate career. But as it turned out, after he graduated Princeton, he started on a more unsuspecting path, one that indirectly led him to his career today.
“I was actually supposed to learn about someone’s oil business in New Jersey, but the man who owned the business ended up buying an ice rink in Bridgewater, New Jersey,” says Kampersal. “So instead of getting into the oil business, I spent a few years running clinics and youth teams.” From running clinics to head coaching, one could argue that purchase served Kampersal quite well.
Kampersal says what stuck with him after graduating St. John’s Prep were foundational lessons from the community: time management, work ethic, and maintaining a good school-life balance where he could play sports and excel in his classes. What he didn’t expect was the transformative experience, a great group of friends, and relationship-building knowledge that influences his coaching today. Although his friends may go years without seeing each other, they find it meaningful when they do reconnect.
Throughout Kampersal’s almost 30 years of coaching women’s hockey, he continues to make a positive impact, accumulating 67 wins over the last three seasons. He is excited every year when he gains a new team that injects fresh energy into the rink, providing him with continuous opportunities to grow and learn.
“The women’s game has progressed so much, and the world of college sports is crazy now,” he says. “In the beginning, I had an enjoyable time learning and teaching and finding a balance between the two. It’s difficult at times, but very rewarding. Each year is different, but what stays the same is the relationship with the players.”
Vic Satir '07
Base Camp: Hampton, NH
Hometown: Amesbury, MA and Exeter, NH
Education: B.S. in Marketing and Entrepreneurial Studies at University of New Hampshire
How did Vic Satir, co-owner of the outerwear brand, Terracea, transform and revitalize the company into the successful business it is today? Terracea started out as a technical outerwear (camping, climbing, etc.) brand seven years ago, but thanks to Satir’s expertise in marketing and entrepreneurial studies from the University of New Hampshire, has morphed into a ski and snowboarding company over the last two years.
Satir’s journey with Terracea began after his work at several brand-name stores, namely Timberland, The Hershey Company, and Nike. He held several titles that gave him a look under the hood of what these brands did as far as product creation and strategic merchandising, which allowed him to get a foot in the door down the line.
“I made my transition from sales into merchandising and got familiar with what it took to create a product from a thought in someone’s head to a physical product in your hand,” he says. “Then, I ended my time [at Nike] working directly on the product-creation team.”
After about eight years at Nike, Satir felt an urgency and desire to move on to something bigger and better. Something where there
was more room to grow. This was the catalyst for his side-gig consulting business, through which he crossed paths with the local
business owner of Terracea.
“The founder was at a crossroads where he felt like the success of his brand was moving away from where he wanted it to go.”
Recognizing the brand’s potential, Satir consulted for Terracea over the course of nine months before he started a rebranding initiative that featured a product line expansion. Shortly after, he was asked to join the team full-time and serve as general manager, which he did for about a year before becoming a co-owner. This progress in his career gave him the courage and opportunity to branch off on another new venture.
“I’ve just purchased another business up here in town ... it’s a custom apparel and accessory company that does embroidery, team sports uniforms, and signage. There is some overlap with Terracea and this new business.”
Satir spends his limited free time coaching the women’s club ice hockey team at the University of New Hampshire. His connection with St. John’s Prep also remains strong; he serves as the varsity golf assistant coach. He and his friends stay in contact as often as they can, even doing a golf trip every fall up in Maine.
“I like to describe it almost as a fraternal experience ... you almost feel like we’re family at that point,” he says. “The real benefit of St. John’s Prep doesn’t actually start until after you graduate. You’re going through the routine of high school, you know you’re getting a good education, you know you’re around like-minded people, but once you have some hindsight, you realize how special it really was.”
P.S. Read about Prep Urban Life Service Experience, a four-day service experience offered to juniors.
Alumni, didn't get your Prep Magazine? Make sure the alumni office has your most up-to-date contact information.