The Clearwater Central Catholic High School Distinguished Alumni Award exists to ensure that the history and traditions of the school, as well as the contributions of individuals, are celebrated. Its purpose is to honor, pay tribute to and perpetuate the memory of those individuals who have made outstanding contributions pertaining to the school's four core values:
Living Faith, Inspiring Excellence, Valuing Service, & Embodying Respect
Transformed for Life
JOSEPH MARCINEK
Class of 1991
Joe was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force in 1995 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy. Serving with distinction for nearly three decades, he has commanded at the Squadron, Wing, and Joint Center levels and held operational and staff assignments from the tactical to the national level. Prior to transitioning to the Air Force reserve, his active-duty career focused on national intelligence programs essential to U.S. security, and he has remained deeply engaged in intelligence operations including being recalled to active reserve service for much of the past ten years due to his distinct skills and experience.
Deployed multiple times in support of combat, counterinsurgency, theater support, and counter-narcotics operations across the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM), European Command (USEUCOM), Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), and Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) areas of responsibility including multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan his decades of leadership in high-stakes environments have made a lasting impact on U.S. military strategy and global operations.
He was recently selected to the Air Force Reserve Brigadier General Qualification List, identifying him among the top candidates for promotion to General Officer ranks. He also served on the Air Force Association’s Reserve Advisory Board, where he contributed to the development of Air Force policy recommendations that enhance the quality of life and service for Reserve members.
In addition to his military career, Joe held an executive position with a Fortune 500 communications company, bringing the same strategic vision and leadership to the private sector.
He takes the greatest pride in his family, wife Mary, daughters Sophia and Natalie, and two nieces, Alex and Katie, whom Joe has been raising, with the amazing support of his immediate and extended family, since the untimely passing of his sister in 2017.
His lifelong commitment to serving both his country and his community reflects the highest standards of service, leadership, sacrifice, and patriotism. Joseph Marcinek’s commitment to service is an inspiration to our Marauder community.
KATHERINE JONES
Class of 1988
In her life, her business, and her community, Katherine Jones has long exemplified the values instilled at Clearwater Central Catholic High School—especially the virtue of Respect.
Katherine earned her Associate of Arts degree from St. Petersburg College in 1990 before graduating from Florida State University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Multinational Business. While at FSU, she served as both chaplain and social chair for Delta Zeta Sorority, demonstrating leadership rooted in service and connection.
Today, Katherine is the owner and principal agent of Katherine Jones Insurance Agency, Inc., a State Farm agency proudly serving the Clearwater area. Her business achievements are numerous: she was ranked the #32 new agent in the country, her agency has been named Clearwater Chamber Small Business of the Year five times, and she has qualified for State Farm’s Chairman’s Circle five times and the Ambassador Club an impressive 17 times. Katherine has also served as President of the Pinellas Chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and as a board member at Ruth Eckerd Hall.
A devoted supporter of CCC, Katherine and her agency have sponsored the State Farm Student of the Month and Student-athlete of the Month awards for the past 15 years. This award recognizes students who excel in and out of the classroom.Additionally, she recognizes two graduating seniors as the State Farm Student of the Year and Student-athlete of the Year, awarding each a scholarship for college. Katherine and her agency are also frequent sponsors of school activities and events.
Outside of her professional success, Katherine’s generosity reaches beyond our local borders. She and her husband Keith have sponsored more than ten children from around the world and each Christmas, her State Farm team participates in Operation Christmas Child, donating over 500 boxes and gifts to date to children in need.
In the way she leads, the ways she gives back, and the ways she inspires the next generation of Marauders, Katherine Jones truly embodies Respect.
MIKE PRENDERGAST
Class of 1975
Elected in November 2016, Mike served as Citrus County’s 12th Sheriff, leading efforts to make Citrus County the safest community in Florida. Known for his firm stance against drug trafficking, he prioritized anti-narcotics operations and expanded partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies, resulting in the agency’s largest drug seizures. Following the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy, Mike led Florida’s first initiative to place sworn law enforcement officers on every public-school campus.
His service has extended beyond law enforcement, including board roles with the Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association, and Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch Enterprises. Locally, he served as a key leader in the Knights of Columbus. He retired from the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office in January 2025.
Before his tenure as Sheriff, he served as Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, leading programs supporting over 1.5 million veterans while strengthening partnerships across all levels of government and veterans’ organizations.
Mike served 31 years in the U.S. Army, beginning as a Military Police Officer and earning a commission from Officer Candidate School as a distinguished graduate. His global assignments included Asia, Africa, Europe, and multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He retired as a Colonel in 2009.
His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2 OLCs), Bronze Star, and the Military Police Corps’ Order of the Marechaussee in Silver. He was inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 2009.
A lifelong learner, he holds multiple degrees including Master of Arts, International Relations and National Security Studies (University of Florida), Master of Public Administration (Troy University), Master of Strategic Studies, Public Diplomacy and Strategy (U.S. Army War College), and Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Sociology (Jacksonville State University).
He and his wife, Naomi, are the proud parents of two children and grandparents of five. Their son and son-in-law are both Operation Enduring Freedom veterans.
IAN DRISCOLL
Class of 1998
Dr. Ian Driscoll, Clearwater Central Catholic High School Class of 1998 Valedictorian, exemplified a life of purpose, service, and excellence. From his early academic achievements at CCC, to his impactful career in medicine and military service, Ian’s journey was defined by a steadfast commitment to helping others and inspiring those around him.
After graduating from CCC, Ian earned a B.S. in chemistry from Georgetown University in 2002. He then entered the U.S. Army Medical Reserve Officer’s Program and attended the University of Florida College of Medicine. Following medical school, he completed a rigorous General Surgery Residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C., one of the nation’s premier military medical institutions.
In 2012, Ian was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, where he served as a burn surgeon. During this time, he deployed multiple times to Afghanistan and Kuwait, providing critical surgical care in combat zones. His exemplary service earned him the rank of U.S. Army Major and the prestigious Meritorious Service Medal.
Continuing his pursuit of excellence, Ian completed a Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston in 2018. He then returned to Florida to join the University of Florida’s UF Health Shands Hospital as an Associate Professor of Surgery. There, he served as director of the UF Burn Center, where he was known for his clinical expertise as well as for his deep dedication to mentoring medical students and residents.
Sadly, this past March, Ian passed away after a long illness. Despite five years of grueling treatments, he never missed a day of work. His life is a shining example of what it means to inspire excellence—in the classroom, in the operating room, on the battlefield, and at home. His legacy continues to uplift and guide all who were fortunate to know him.
Ian was a devoted husband to Jodi and loving father to Bridget. He found joy in fly fishing, cheering on the New York Yankees, and creating cherished memories with his family. Accepting the award posthumously on Ian's behalf on May 22nd, 2025, were his parents Dr. John and Mrs. Maura Driscoll.
