Brian Katers 

Prior to becoming a part of the Knights of Columbus about three years ago, Brian had heard of them but he knew almost nothing about the organization.  His neighbor at the time, Terry Misfeldt, asked him about joining and that is where it all started.  Brian made the First Degree soon after and completed the Second and Third Degree this past April.  He is also thinking about advancing to the Fourth Degree when the opportunity to do so in Oconomowoc comes around next Spring.  Before being asked about joining the Knights, Brian had done some work for the Council already through his company, Promotional Designs.  It was through this company that Terry, the “Official Clothier of Council 10243” obtained for golf shirts, sweaters and the like.  Since becoming a part of the Council he has been involved in some of “the usual things” such as booyah sales, the Tootsie Roll drive and some other activities.  He has been very busy at work and finds recently that his schedule is so hectic the it keeps him from doing some of the things with the Knights that he’d really like to do.

 

It was the feeling of camaraderie which he finds exciting about the Council, the opportunity to get to know the different men who make up the organization.  While he sees the meetings as necessarily more formal, he really appreciated the chance to socialize afterward and come to know the others on a more personal level.  He also enjoys being involved in many of the activities of the Council since helping out gives him a good feeling--and it is fun.  He is impressed by the incredible diversity of men in the Council; the ideals of the Knights seem to draw “Everybody from everywhere.”

 

Brian is President of his company, Promotional Designs located in DePere and says he spends an average day playing a coaching role for sales personnel, talking to customers, doing some financial planning, handling usual business and “putting out fires.”  The company produces a variety of promotional products such as the clothing items that are seen around Council 10243, as well as things like plaques and other ‘recognition’ items.  They do business with a variety of companies and organizations throughout the State.  He has been in the business for about eight years now and dislikes the long hours he sometimes needs to put in, but he appreciates the fact that his schedule is often flexible enough that he can fit in other things that he’d like to do.  He has been married for about twelve years now and his wife, Lynn, is also employed at the company.  They have two girls, ages six and two, and they are often about the usual whirl of their children’s’ world, involving school, dance, swimming and the like.  He finds it hard to set aside time to relax, but he does enjoy reading and is also getting into a fitness routine.

 

He is pleased that he made the decision to become a part of the Knights and he would strongly recommend it to anyone who is interested in being involved in an fraternity of caring men and their families who are committed to their faith and to helping others: “It’s an excellent organization--spread the news!”

 

December 1995