It is interesting that most of the conversion stories I have heard (including my own) don't involve a personal connection with a Catholic. I didn't meet any wonderful, devout, faithful, inspiring Catholics until after I started attending a Catholic Church. I suppose it is because serious Catholics may spend most of their time in Catholic institutions, while cafeteria Catholics are the ones that Protestants are most likely to encounter.
This year our RCIA class was headed by a convert.
After seeing how badly the Cradle Catholics dealt with my hubby at RCIA, not being able to relate to him at all, I feel that this was a great move by our pastor.