Being raised in a Croatian and Italian family in New York, Robert grew up surrounded by the traditions of the Catholic faith. Today, as the Senior Director of Development for the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, his faith continues to guide his work and his desire to glorify God through serving the Church.

Robert joined the Diocese of Saint Petersburg in September 2025. Throughout his career in development, he has helped support the mission of the Church through numerous successful fundraising initiatives, annual appeals, and capital campaigns. Some of his career highlights include raising $24 million for the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal in the Diocese of Arlington and $17.4 million for the 2023 Catholic Faith Appeal in the Diocese of Venice.

“My work matters to me because I know that I am empowering the vital mission and ministries of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg,” he shared. “My work allows the good works of our diocese, parishes, schools, and other apostolates to thrive.”

A parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church in Sarasota, Robert’s love for the Church is rooted in a faith journey that began quietly and grew stronger over time.

Robert attended Catholic schools throughout his childhood, including an all boys Catholic high school in Brooklyn. He credits his time in the Catholic schools system as laying a strong foundation for his faith. 

“I was involved as an altar server as a child and teenager, but I never really took the faith seriously,” he reflected. “Even so, the seeds of faith planted through my Catholic education remained there, waiting to grow.”

That growth began after college in an unexpected way. A friend gave Robert a green scapular, that he placed on a lamp in his apartment. Each night, he would kneel and pray one Hail Mary. Over time, that single prayer grew into a deeper devotion and eventually led him to pray the Rosary daily.

“I often say that our Blessed Mother took an interest in me and literally picked me up and showed me to my Lord Jesus Christ,” Robert shared.

During this time, Robert discovered the Traditional Latin Mass and began serving at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. The history and reverence of the liturgy opened his heart to a deeper relationship with Christ, especially through the Eucharist.

“It was so profound for me,” he said. “It opened my eyes. It was so rich in prayer, Scripture, and history. It called me to go deeper in my faith and opened my heart very powerfully to the Blessed Sacrament.”

Through the years, Robert’s devotion has continued to grow. Along with a deep love for the Blessed Mother, he has developed a strong devotion to Saint Joseph and Blessed Karl of Austria, while remaining committed to daily prayer and the Rosary.

Outside of his ministry at the Diocese, Robert enjoys spending time in the kitchen by embracing the culinary traditions of his Croatian and Italian heritage and spending time with his wife, Katie. He is also an author and currently writing a high fantasy book series.

Robert’s calling reflects the mission of the Church in a unique way by helping provide the resources needed for ministries to flourish while sharing the faith that has transformed his own life. As he reflects, “My faith continues to guide everything I do.”