Michael McCarthy calls Saint John’s University “the debt that can never be repaid,” but he’s clearly determined to try.

With his characteristic humility, McCarthy credits his Benedictine liberal arts education for his extraordinary success as chairman of Omaha-based investment holding firm the McCarthy Group, LLC, which he founded in 1986 to help local businesses grow and diversify after the devastating farming crisis, and now as now as co-chairman of Bridges Trust wealth management firm.

He serves on the boards of some of the country’s largest corporations, including Union Pacific Corporation, Peter Kiewit Sons’ Inc. and Election Systems & Software, and dedicates himself to his community. McCarthy chaired Creighton University’s Board of Trustees for six years, works with a variety of nonprofits and steadfastly supports Saint John’s, where he earned an English degree.

Whether he’s serving on the Board of Regents, speaking at the McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship or championing The Saint John’s Bible — he played a key role in bringing a special Bible exhibit to Omaha’s Joslyn Art Museum in 2019 — McCarthy makes sure his success always comes back to Collegeville.