WHY CHOOSE CATHOLIC TEXTBOOKS?
Catholic schools deserve the best textbooks. With Catholic Textbook Project, you can bring balance, perspective, and hope back into the hearts and minds of your students—these are the only history textbooks written with the freedom for truth that Catholic schools enjoy. Our textbooks meet and exceed standards while educating and inspiring students with the great drama of our history.
The Team
EXPERIENCE MATTERS
Our leadership team collectively brings decades of experience in education—from the classroom to administration offices—along with fields like publishing, youth ministry, diocesan leadership, writing, editing, and graphic design.
The richness of our backgrounds nourishes our ability to create accurate, engaging, and faithful textbooks like nothing else you’ll find on the market. Read on to learn more about us!
MICHAEL VAN HECKE, M.ED.
Founder and President
mvh@catholictextbookproject.com
Michael taught middle and high school for over 35 years and served as headmaster for nearly 30 years. With his friend, the late Dr. Rollin Lasseter, Michael started Catholic Textbook Project in the year 2000, while also helping found the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education. He holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College and an M.Ed. in Education Administration from the University of North Texas.
MATT SUMERS, M.A.
Vice President
msumers@catholictextbookproject.com
Beginning more than 40 years ago as a youth minister, Matt moved into education. He taught junior high religion in a Catholic school and served as a parish and diocesan director of faith formation. Matt then worked successfully in sales and marketing for religious education materials before joining Catholic Textbook Project in 2015. Since his arrival, he has overhauled the marketing arm and helped the company reach twice as many schools.
PATRICK BODUCH
Chief Operating Officer
pboduch@catholictextbookproject.com
Patrick joined Catholic Textbook Project in 2025 with over a decade of experience in operations, finance, and strategy execution. He began his career as a management consultant with Deloitte Consulting, where he implemented transformational initiatives for Fortune 500 and enterprise clients. Since then, he has served in operational roles at several mission-driven nonprofit organizations. Patrick holds a master’s degree from Princeton University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame.
THOMAS MCANERNEY
Sales and Marketing Manager
tmcanerney@catholictextbookproject.com
Thomas graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in secondary education biology and taught at both the middle and high school levels. His experience in the classroom and the Catholic Church gave him a deep appreciation for strong Catholic education. At Catholic Textbook Project, Thomas helps schools and families discover academically rigorous, engaging resources rooted in the Catholic faith. He is passionate about helping educators form students in knowledge, faith, and an appreciation for truth, beauty, and goodness.
CHRISTOPHER ZEHNDER, M.A.
General Editor
editor@catholictextbookproject.com
A graduate of Thomas Aquinas College, Christopher has worked as a graphic artist, printer, journalist, school headmaster, and teacher of history, English, literature, Latin, theology, and mathematics. Affiliated with Catholic Textbook Project since its founding in 2000, he filled various roles before becoming General Editor. Christopher has written several of our textbooks, edited and contributed chapters to others, and made art selections for many.
MEGAN FASSERO
Customer Service Manager
mfassero@catholictextbookproject.com
Holding B.A. degrees from Benedictine College in History, French, and Religious Studies (theology), Megan has worked to support Catholic liberal education in a variety of roles: first, as a homeschooling mother; next in higher education in college ministry, admission, study abroad, and parent outreach; and most recently in program, event, and partnership management. Megan supports our valued Catholic Textbook Project customers in all aspects of Customer Service, including Accounts Receivable.
We thank the countless historians, professors, teachers and students who have contributed, reviewed, and provided ongoing feedback to this project.
