Get to Know CCHS Financial Services Staff

Central Catholic’s financial services office recently moved to a new location in the school building, closer to the main lobby.  The new setting gives them more space to take care of their important responsibilities and allows easier access for those visiting the office.  Several new members have joined the financial services staff, and we thought it would be helpful to introduce everyone.

Julie Hegedus - Vice President of Finance & Human Resources
Julie Hegedus has been working at CCHS for 9 years.  She oversees accounts payable, accounts receivable, budgeting and reporting, payroll and benefits administration, and personnel matters.  She graduated from Notre Dame Academy and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Michigan State University.  

Julie previously worked in accounting and auditing for various nonprofit organizations, most recently at Harbor Behavioral Healthcare.  After working at Harbor for over 12 years, she was ready for a change when she heard about an opening at CCHS.  “Growing up, I always thought I wanted to be a teacher,” she explained.  “I saw this as an opportunity to contribute in a school, but within my chosen profession.”

Julie’s twin sons, Dylan and Tyler, are seniors at Central Catholic.  “Having my sons attend as students has been a great experience!” she said.  “They were the only ones to attend CCHS from their grade school class, and I am so proud of their growth over these past several years - in every possible aspect.  Coming to Central Catholic every day feels like an extension of home as opposed to a place I work.”

Outside of work, Julie enjoys spending time with her husband, Justin (CCHS Class of 1995) and their sons, watching movies, reading, scrapbooking, and cheering on the Spartans.


Vanessa Fuernstein - Accounts Receivable Specialist
Vanessa Fuernstein handles student tuition accounts, and she has been working in the department since January 2023.  Vanessa previously worked as the resident director with AVI Foodsystems in the CCHS cafeteria from July 2019 until December 2021.  She and her husband moved to Rochester, Minnesota and she worked at the Mayo Clinic.  But after being gone for a year, they decided that being far away from family and friends (plus the sub-zero weather) wasn't as easy as they thought it would be.  Her husband found a position in Ann Arbor and they moved back.

Outside of work, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband, Scott; her daughter, Jackie; son, Lance; and their 3 fur babies: Charlie, Roger, and Craig.  “Our favorite thing to do in our down time involves FOOD!” Vanessa said.  “My husband is a chef, and we love to try out different kinds of food and new restaurants, but our absolute favorite is to have family and friends over to just eat great food and hang out!”

“I'm so happy to be working at Central Catholic!” she added.  “It feels like HOME!”


Brad Mossing - Accounts Payable
Brad Mossing is a 2009 Central Catholic graduate, and he began working in the CCHS financial services office in November 2023.  He works in accounts payable, which means he analyzes contracts, pays bills, and makes sure we stay within our budget.  When Brad was a student at Central Catholic, he was on the varsity wrestling team for four years.  He was 1 match away from making the state tournament.  He did win Greco wrestling at the regional and state tournaments, and he represented Ohio at the National Greco Tournament.

Prior to working at Central Catholic, Brad owned a flooring company.  But when he found an opportunity to coach high school wrestling, he realized he enjoyed being around the kids.  So he closed his company and looked for work in a high school, which brought him back to CCHS.  Brad is going into his 4th year as head wrestling coach at Rogers High School.  In his 1st year, he had 1 student-athlete go to the sectional tournament, in his 2nd year he had 6 go to sectionals, and in his 3rd season, he had 3 who advance to the district championships.

When he is not working at CCHS or coaching wrestling, Brad is busy parenting.  He and his wife, Marissa, have 4 children - Kenny (8), Issy (6), Amelia (4), and Sammy (2).


Christine Helminiak - Accountant
Christine Helminiak is an accountant in the financial services office, and she began working here in August.  She graduated from Bay Shore High School in Bay Shore, New York and previously worked as a bookkeeper and human resource assistant.  She wanted to work at Central Catholic because of its healthy spiritual atmosphere.

Outside of work, Christine loves to garden and enjoys fellowship with others.  “I like to escape to Long Island when I can to visit my family,” she said.  “I like long drives to enjoy sunrises and sunsets - seeing all of God’s creation.  I love hummingbirds and tropical flowers, and Christ is my rock!”


Elaine Gabalac - EdChoice Coordinator
Elaine Gabalac is the new EdChoice coordinator at Central Catholic, and she also joined the staff in August.  She grew up on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, attended a Catholic boarding school in Indiana called LaLumiere School, and graduated from the University of Toledo.  Prior to coming to CCHS, Elaine worked as the staff accountant at the Ability Center before taking a hiatus to care for her mother and her in-laws before they passed.  She also has a part time art business.

Elaine came to work at Central Catholic for a combination of reasons.  “The CCHS mission, the fact that I'm Irish Catholic, and also my experience at LaLumiere High School all played a part in my decision,” she said.  “I still have the close friends that I made in high school even though they're located in different areas around the country.  The school worked hard to build community in order to foster success.  I hope my work here plays some part in facilitating that experience for this generation.”

Outside of work, Elaine said, “I love to eat!  I've learned to cook every type of cuisine except French and Ethiopian, but I've tasted those.  The last cookbook I bought was for ramen, but so far my daughter has been preparing that.  I make hollandaise with herbs from my garden that's so good.  There's no end to learning when it comes to cooking, and I like that.

“I'm a part time employee at Central Catholic, and I spend the time I'm not here working to sell my father's art regionally around the Great Lakes area because that's what he painted - beach landscapes and boats on open water.  Interestingly, he was self taught and color blind, but you'd never know!”