Mike Kohlfeld will be the keynote speaker at Notre Dame Regional High School’s Queen of Victory Evening of Excellence on August 7, 2026, at Notre Dame’s King Hall. The event will recognize the 2026 Athletic and Performing & Visual Arts Hall of Fame classes, Notre Dame’s Distinguished Alumni Award, Bob Miller Award, and the NDHS Education Fund Foundation’s Annunciation Award.

Kohlfeld is 1969 graduate of Notre Dame High School. While at Notre Dame, Kohlfeld was involved in the performing and visual arts, having a chorus role in the school’s very first spring musical, The Sound of Music, in 1966, and lead roles in Brigadoon, The King and I, and Oklahoma.

“What I remember most about my four years was the passion of the School Sisters of Notre Dame and all the teachers and staff that prepared us for life,” said Kohlfeld.

While he met his future wife, Barbara Capshaw (’69), during his freshmen year of high school, they did not begin dating until Christmas break while in college in 1971.

“She couldn’t get rid of me after that!” he joked.

After high school, Kohlfeld began working in the family business, Kohlfeld Distributing, Inc. At that time, Kohlfeld was also a member of several bands, and played a variety of venues in southeast Missouri and across the Midwest.

After he and Barb were married in 1977, and Barb began her career in education armed with a masters and Ph.D., Kohlfeld turned his full attention to Kohlfeld Distributing, Inc. 

“I was fortunate to work and learn under my father, Leo,” said Kohlfeld, “and work with my brother, Mark (’80), who I continue to learn from.” 

With his son, Courtland, joining the company in 2006, Kohlfeld said their family business has continued to be a leader in the wholesale beverage business in southeast Missouri and northwest Arkansas by employing the strategy of servant leadership, acquisition and organic growth.

Kohlfeld says that Notre Dame stresses the importance of community involvement. He has heeded that call, serving in leadership positions and being a contributing member of a plethora of community organizations, including: American Cancer Society, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Board, Cape Girardeau Country Club Board and Board of Trustees, Cape Girardeau Lion’s Club, Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Board, Chateau Girardeau, Community Counseling Center, Girl Scouts, Montgomery Bank Board, Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation, Southeast Missouri State University Booster Club and Southeast Missouri State University Foundation.

He spent 34 years on the Mercy Southeast Hospital Board, and has been on various supplier boards and state professional leadership boards. He has also participated in various fundraising committees at his parish, St. Vincent de Paul.

In addition to his vast community support, Kohlfeld has been part of several committees at Notre Dame. He co-chaired the 1985 Margin of Excellence campaign that raised $1.2 million to begin the NDHS Education Fund Foundation, and was part of the strategic planning committee that spearheaded the construction of the current school. He is a co-chair for the current comprehensive capital campaign, Honoring our Legacy, Igniting our Future.

He and Barb’s three children, Alexandra (’98), Courtland (’02) and Parker (’08), are all graduates of Notre Dame. Kohlfeld said it was a never a question that their children would attend Catholic school, as Catholic schools offer a holistic approach to education through high academic standards and morals, and promote spiritual and emotional growth.