John Gromos was honored as the 2025 Catholic Professional of the Year by the Catholic Business League, accepting the award in front of more than 80 members and guests at our breakfast meeting on Thursday, December 11th at the Cathedral of the Incarnation. We were also delighted to welcome Mosaic, the Show Choir at Father Ryan High School, to begin our meeting with a wonderful selection of Christmas carols (read to the end for a special surprise).

“I consider this such a great honor,” Gromos said in his opening remarks. “What a great organization – I’ve seen the Catholic Business League grow over the years, and I’ve had the pleasure of speaking here several times.”

A parishioner of Saint Henry Catholic Church and a father of two Father Ryan alumnae, John has been in Nashville for four decades – and has been part of many major projects that have marked the city’s growth. John came to Vanderbilt University from Chicago and was a three-year quarterback for the Commodores. He joined Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. — a local design services company — upon graduation, and ultimately rose to the rank of Vice President.

After more than 13 years with Smith Seckman Reid, he joined Turner Construction Company in March 2004, and has remained there ever since, now a Senior Vice President and Director of Turner’s National Sports and Assembly Group. Turner is one of the primary firms involved in the construction of the new Nissan Stadium (home of the Tennessee Titans), and his leadership has been integral as the stadium has risen.

Gromos saluted the previous winners of the Catholic Professional of the Year award, as well as the exemplary leadership of Most Reverend J. Mark Spalding, Bishop of the Diocese of Nashville. “We’re so blessed to have the leadership that he provides, and the positive energy … that he brings with him everywhere he goes and everything he does, and I think that’s an inspiration for me and for others to figure out how we emulate that even stronger, because that leadership is so important and makes such an impact.”

Emphasizing the power of relationships in leadership and career growth, Gromos continued: “Those relationships really lead to connections, to our networks. The Catholic Business League started as a networking organization and continues to do great work in that regard as well. So there’s an investment that we all have to make in relationships and networking. It’s a two-way street: In order to get something from the network, you have to give something to the network too.”

As a Vanderbilt alumnus and former radio analyst, Gromos noted with a smile, “If I could vote in the Heisman, I know exactly where my Heisman vote would be, and it would bring me great joy if Diego Pavia could figure out a way to win that Heisman,” concluding with the “Anchor Down” that Commodore fans know well.

The Catholic Business League thanks John Gromos for his continued leadership through Catholic faith, and congratulates him once again as the 2025 Catholic Professional of the Year.

As a send-off into the holiday season, here is Mosaic leading all of our attendees in Jingle Bells! Merry Christmas to all of you, and we look forward to seeing you in 2026!