Join us for our weekly “Rock Reflections,” a series celebrating Trinity alumni. From all 50 states to countries worldwide, our graduates are making an impact, and we'll share their stories on Trinity's website and social media.
This week's profile is about Andrew Heineman '04
Andrew Heineman is a member of the Class of 2004 and currently serves as Trinity Alumni Association chair. He came to Trinity from St. Agnes Catholic School.
Andrew’s extended family are Catholic school alumni. His father, Mike Heineman Sr., and oldest brother, Mike Heineman Jr., attended St. Xavier High School. His mother, the former Kathy O’Dea, and sister, Colleen Fiumara, attended Sacred Heart Academy. His other older brother, Will, graduated from Trinity in 2001. Andrew’s brother-in-law is 2004 classmate Matt Kazunas.
“I was in one of larger classes of Trinity guys from St. Agnes,” Andrew said. “What opened the door for me was my parents’ willingness to let me choose Trinity. I felt Trinity was truly interested in me and helping me succeed.”
As a Trinity student, Andrew participated in cross country, powerlifting, intramural sports, the Scouting Club and the Kentucky Youth Assembly. He also was a member of the Pep Club, performing several times as the student inside the Rock Man mascot costume.
Andrew recalls day-to-day life during his Trinity days.
“I remember the energy and interactions in the hallways between classes, the chants during Pride Week and the familiarity between students and teachers. I remember being pushed academically. I felt the teachers saw more in me than I did and pushed for that in a respectful way. They knew I could do better and found ways for me to get there.”
Living the 4th
Trinity Campus Ministry and Campus Minister Mary Emrich H’09 made an indelible mark on Andrew. He attended his senior retreat and, years later, began serving as an adult leader for retreats.
“Senior retreat was pivotal for me,” Andrew said. “Its effects have lasted to this day. After going on retreat, a group of us hung out in Mrs. Emrich’s office during resource period. That group grew as more guys went on retreat. I ended up meeting my college roommate, Brendan Nelson. Those gatherings were a continuation of senior retreat and learning more about each other and our faith.”
Andrew was also shaped by his teachers and coaches. Among his favorites were Gene Eckert ’62, Mike Domzalski ’85, Gary Owens ’88, Bob Maddox H’07, Pat Bowles H’01, John Kahl ’69, Jason Daniel, and Tony Lococo H’03.
Andrew attended Western Kentucky University after graduating from Trinity. In addition to his studies, Andrew was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, serving as vice president his junior year and president his senior year. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science in 2009.
Andrew’s original intent was to attend law school. Life, however, had other plans. Andrew graduated from WKU at the height of the Great Recession and jobs were scarce. He met his future wife, Lisa, at a wedding after college. Lisa, who is originally from Louisville, had moved with her family to New Orleans, Louisiana, as a child. Andrew and Lisa married and moved to New Orleans, where Andrew worked as a paralegal.
“With the birth of our second child, we decided to move back to Louisville,” Andrew said. “I had grown past going to law school and restarting my career. I made my way into Humana’s law department as a litigation manager and then into compliance, a field I have been in ever since.”
Andrew is currently chief compliance officer for Honest Health.
‘The Alumni Association is on solid footing’
Trinity was never far from Andrew’s mind. He stayed connected with Mary Emrich and began leading senior retreats when his family moved back to Louisville.
“It evolved from there as I met more alumni and learned more ways to be involved,” Andrew said. “That led me to the Alumni Board. The opportunities that opened up to me professionally were terrific, and it was a great way to be involved and give back.”
The Alumni Board is the governing body of the Alumni Association. The Alumni Board comprises 15 at-large alumni who meet quarterly to conduct the business of the Association. Board members are entrusted to oversee alumni event coordination, outreach and strategic planning. Andrew is in his second and final term as chair of the Association, which numbers nearly 19,000 members.
“I love my role as chair. It’s been awesome,” Andrew said. “I love being a conduit to different years and decades of our Alumni Association and to be a representative for Trinity in our broader community. The Alumni Association is on solid footing. I’ve enjoyed helping to build a better Alumni Association for our alumni and fostering our core mission of giving back to Trinity. I’m excited for what lies ahead as it continues to grow and mature.”
Andrew is also enjoying being Alumni Board chair while his son, Gavin, is a Trinity student. Gavin is a junior and a member of the football team.
“It’s been fun experiencing Trinity through his eyes,” Andrew said. “I love that he can be taught by some of the same teachers who taught me.”
Andrew and Lisa have been married for 14 years. In addition to son Gavin, they have two daughters, Kathryn, who is in seventh grade, and Alison, who is a second-grader. The Heinemans are members of St. Patrick Catholic Church, where Andrew often helps coach his children’s athletic teams.
Share an alumni story!
Do you know a Trinity alumnus with a compelling story? Please reach out to Travis Wagoner '90, Alumni Relations & Communications Director, at 502-736-2122 or wagoner@trinityrocks.com.
A History of Greatness
Since 1953, Trinity has benefitted from great teachers, resources, and activities to shape and guide promising boys into great men. The 106 students from our first graduating class have been followed by a legacy of academic, personal and cultural achievement. To learn more about our proud heritage, visit https://www.trinityrocks.com/o/trinityfoundation/page/about-us.
Invest in the ‘Path to Greatness’
Your contribution to the Trinity Annual Fund directly supports financial aid, helping our students on their path to greatness! To make a gift, go to https://trinityrocks.givecloud.co/rockreflections.