Rummel Day 2026
Rummel Day is the annual day we honor our school's namesake, Archbishop Joseph Francis Rummel and traditions created and maintained at 1901 Severn Avenue. In addition to acknowledging Joseph Francis Rummel's impact on our school, the Alumni Association also recognizes the recipients of the Alumnus of the Year and the Raider Legend Award. Award recipients are honored at a ceremony and reception the night prior to Rummel Day. See photos below.
2026 Alumnus of the Year
WESLEY J. PALMISANO '99
A current legacy father, Wesley J. Palmisano is a proud Archbishop Rummel High School Class of 1999 alumnus. He and his wife Annie live in River Ridge with their son Wrex, a soon to be 2026 graduate, and daughter, Reed. A longtime supporter of Rummel, Wes recently managed and constructed the Raider Band Field observation tower, and RNGD completed the installation of new security entrance doors on campus. He is also the brother of Dr. Warren Palmisano III ’95.
Founder and CEO of RNGD, Wesley grew up in a construction family inspired by service, beginning with his grandfather, WWII veteran Warren Palmisano Sr. He earned his Construction Management degree from Louisiana State University in three years, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and spent over a decade managing large-scale construction projects before launching WJ Palmisano (WJP) in 2013.
For most of his life, Wes pursued a new vision for the construction industry through WJP and its collective of brands and initiatives. Built on a foundation of family legacy and industry expertise, Wesley pairs entrepreneurial drive with the company’s mission to “revolutionize how we build.”
Over the following decade, WJP evolved through new ventures in construction, investment, innovation, leadership development, and real estate—pursuing a vertically integrated model that allows the organization to influence the full construction lifecycle while maintaining its renegade approach.
Wesley launched the Palmisano Foundation in 2016, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on education initiatives and community impact. He also founded Renegade Academy, a leadership development program designed to cultivate the next generation of construction professionals.
After growing from a small startup to a team of more than 500 people, Palmisano Construction rebranded as RNGD (Renegade) to better reflect its ethos and embarked on a regional expansion across the Southeastern United States.
Wes is more than a successful businessman. Through his leadership, generosity, and service, he is actively shaping our community and forming the next generation of leaders. He truly represents the highest ideals of a Raider—a man of faith, community, service, and excellence—and is truly deserving of the distinction of Alumnus of the Year.
Founder and CEO of RNGD, Wesley grew up in a construction family inspired by service, beginning with his grandfather, WWII veteran Warren Palmisano Sr. He earned his Construction Management degree from Louisiana State University in three years, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and spent over a decade managing large-scale construction projects before launching WJ Palmisano (WJP) in 2013.
For most of his life, Wes pursued a new vision for the construction industry through WJP and its collective of brands and initiatives. Built on a foundation of family legacy and industry expertise, Wesley pairs entrepreneurial drive with the company’s mission to “revolutionize how we build.”
Over the following decade, WJP evolved through new ventures in construction, investment, innovation, leadership development, and real estate—pursuing a vertically integrated model that allows the organization to influence the full construction lifecycle while maintaining its renegade approach.
Wesley launched the Palmisano Foundation in 2016, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on education initiatives and community impact. He also founded Renegade Academy, a leadership development program designed to cultivate the next generation of construction professionals.
After growing from a small startup to a team of more than 500 people, Palmisano Construction rebranded as RNGD (Renegade) to better reflect its ethos and embarked on a regional expansion across the Southeastern United States.
Wes is more than a successful businessman. Through his leadership, generosity, and service, he is actively shaping our community and forming the next generation of leaders. He truly represents the highest ideals of a Raider—a man of faith, community, service, and excellence—and is truly deserving of the distinction of Alumnus of the Year.
2026 Raider Legend
JOSEPH SERIO
For 48 years Joseph Serio was a member of the Archbishop Rummel High School faculty, staff, and administration. A graduate of St. Aloysius High School (now Brother Martin), he attended Southeastern Louisiana University where he was editor of the university newspaper, the Lion’s Roar, and was a member of Theta Xi Fraternity.
Serio started his Archbishop Rummel career as the school’s first Alumni Director for 17 years, and then was Admissions Director for 16 years, Graduation Coordinator for 22 years, Advancement Director for 4 years, Communications Director for 6 years, and Student Activities Director for 5 years. He was also a member of the school administration for 19 years.
For 25 years he taught journalism to his students and moderated the school newspaper, the Raiders’ Digest. In 1983 he was awarded an Honorary Diploma to Archbishop Rummel.
During his 48 years he chaired the 25th and 50th anniversary celebrations committees, was a member of the committee that represented Archbishop Rummel in Washington, DC, when the school was named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by President George H. W. Bush, and was very involved in the creation of the Rummel Transition School (Rummel T) for citywide students following Hurricane Katrina.
Serio started his Archbishop Rummel career as the school’s first Alumni Director for 17 years, and then was Admissions Director for 16 years, Graduation Coordinator for 22 years, Advancement Director for 4 years, Communications Director for 6 years, and Student Activities Director for 5 years. He was also a member of the school administration for 19 years.
For 25 years he taught journalism to his students and moderated the school newspaper, the Raiders’ Digest. In 1983 he was awarded an Honorary Diploma to Archbishop Rummel.
During his 48 years he chaired the 25th and 50th anniversary celebrations committees, was a member of the committee that represented Archbishop Rummel in Washington, DC, when the school was named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by President George H. W. Bush, and was very involved in the creation of the Rummel Transition School (Rummel T) for citywide students following Hurricane Katrina.
2026 Alumnus of the Year
|
2026 Raider Legend
|
|
Archbishop Rummel High School
1901 Severn Ave. Metairie, LA 70001 Phone: 504-834-5592 Fax: 504-832-4016 [email protected] |
Mission Statement
Archbishop Rummel High School educates each student according to the principles of the Catholic Church in the Lasallian tradition of faith, community, and service. In a caring, disciplined environment of social awareness and academic excellence, Archbishop Rummel High School challenges each student to recognize the dignity of life and to develop and share, to the best of his ability, his unique talents. The schools of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Louisiana, admit students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at its schools. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin or disability in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Information used with applications will not be used for any unlawful discriminatory purpose.
|
