George G. Vargo '58 remains very close with his alma mater, a relationship he has fostered since his graduation. His devotion to the school has been manifested in his roles as an influential leader, friend, benefactor, advisory board member and board chairman. After graduating from St. Charles, Vargo continued his education at the Ohio State University where in 1965 he received a marketing degree. After graduation, he went to work for the F & R Lazarus Company in its executive training program. Seeing a business opportunity, he and his brother in 1972 formed Vargo Associates Inc.to sell material-handling equipment. In 1994, Vargo started the Tanna Corporation, of which he is sole owner and president. Through his earlier and present companies, Vargo during the last 25 years has been a major supplier to retail marketing giant, The Limited, and all seven of its divisions. A long-time member of the St. Charles Advisory Board, Vargo has been chairman of that board for the past 14 years. In the years prior to1985, which was the start of Vargo’s tenure as Advisory Board chairman, St. Charles began to enjoy record growth in student enrollment. To cope with the demands of soaring enrollment, St. Charles, with the encouragement and support of the Board, embarked on major capital improvements. New classrooms were built in former living facilities of the main school building. Existing classrooms were renovated. Major renovation was initiated to improve the chemistry and physics labs and a facility was created to teach the latest in the ever-growing computer field. Major capital improvements in the school’s facilities included the construction of the $1-million Dedger and Rose Jones Natatorium, which was completed in 1990. A fund drive headed by 1970 St. Charles graduate Father William Arnold, a former teacher at the school, led to the construction of the $400,000 Jack Ryan student fitness center that was completed in 1999. The theatre, built in 1941, was renovated and the Cavello Center was created below the theater’s auditorium in 1990. A major improvement included the installation of new windows in the school and theater buildings. Also during Vargo’s term as board chair, the school’s endowment funds enjoyed steady growth and The Campaign for St. Charles, the most ambitious fund drive in school history, was initiated. The drive this year reached its primary goal of $10 million. Vargo is one of the charter officers of The St. Charles Endowment Trustee Advisory group, formed 10 years ago. For many years, Vargo was a very active leader in his former St. Andrew Parish. He served on its parish council for 20 years and was chairman of that body from 1982 to 1992. He chaired the parish’s Bishop Annual Appeal drive 10 years and he and his wife, Marianne, co-chaired the general phase of the campaign to build the St. Andrew gymnasium. Vargo has been on the board of the Catholic Foundation since l997 and was chairman the past year. He is a knight in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, a member of The Ohio State University Alumni Association and a member of the OSU President’s Club. He and his wife, Marianne (Heinmiller), have three grown children -- Thomas ‘84, Margaret, and Jane -- and six grandchildren.

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