The NIAF 2009 Convention and Gala Weekend
Held on October 23-24, 2009, the Foundation's 34th Anniversary Convention and Gala honored culinary pioneer and philanthropist Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo Americas Beverages Massimo F. d'Amore, actress Carla Gugino, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and renowned Italian singer and songwriter Antonello Venditti. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel served as Master of Ceremonies.
Held at The Hilton Washington, in Washington, D.C., the weekend also featured a Friday Night musical performance by Venditti, seminars on Italian food and wine, and NIAF's Annual Celebrity Auction. Proceeds from the weekend's activities benefited the Foundation's educational and scholarship programs.
[edit] 2009 -- Post-Earthquake Abruzzo Relief
Following the April 6, 2009 earthquake that destroyed much of Italy's Abruzzo region, NIAF and the U.S. State Department entered into a public-private partnership to provide a generous American response.
While speaking to members of the press during a meeting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano in Rome prior to the G-8 Summit in July 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama recognized the National Italian American Foundation's support of reconstruction efforts in L'Aquila, a city devastated by an earthquake in Abruzzo. [1]
Obama specifically noted joint efforts by the NIAF/State Department partnership to raise funds for the University of L'Aquila and its displaced students.
"Obviously our hearts were broken by the death and destruction that took place after the earthquake. And I'm very pleased that the United States, like many other countries, will be contributing to help the rebuilding process," Obama said while addressing journalists at the Quirinale Palace on July 8, 2009. "In fact, we have, along with the National Italian American Foundation, already identified projects to help rebuild facilities at the University of L'Aquila and to provide scholarships and summer programs."
Through NIAF's fundraising efforts, the partnership helped displaced University of L'Aquila students by working with The University of Miami, Sierra Nevada College, Villanova University and the University of New Mexico to provide new educational opportunities. A total of 103 L'Aquila students applied to be part of this program, which included full tuition, room and board scholarships.
[edit] 2009-2010 Board Officers
Chairman, Jerry Colangelo
Vice Chair, Paul J. Chiapparone
Vice Chair, Louis J. Freeh
Vice Chair, Patricia Harrison
Vice Chair, Vincent Viola
President, Joseph V. Del Raso
Executive Vice President, Justice Marie L. Garibaldi
Executive Vice President, Salvatore M. Salibello
Treasurer, Gabriel A. Battista
Secretary, John F. Calvelli
General Counsel, Arthur J. Furia
2009-2010 Board of Directors
Robert V. Allegrini
VP Communications - Americas
Hilton Hotels Corporation
Ken Aspromonte
LakeCo Properties
Jeffrey M. Capaccio, Esq.
Carr & Ferrell LLP
Robert E. Carlucci
Founder & Owner
R & R Ventures and Affiliates
Prof. Paolo Catalfamo
Founder & Chairman
Investar
Donald J. Chiofaro
President
The Chiofaro Company
Adam G. Ciongoli
Group General Counsel
Willis Group Holdings Limited
Rocco B. Commisso
Chairman & CEO
Mediacom Communications Corporation
Robert S. Cuillo
President & CEO
Cuillo Enterprises
Joseph Della Ratta
Real Estate Developer
John DePasquale
Chairman
Preventative HealthCare Solutions, LLC
William C. Freda
Vice Chairman and U.S. Managing Partner
Deloitte LLP
Mario Gabelli
Portfolio Manager
Gabelli Asset Management Inc.
G. Louis Graziadio III
CEO
Second Southern Corp
Eric Gioia
Entrepreneur
Kenneth G. Langone
President
Invemed Associates, LLC
Anthony Marnell II
Senior Executive
Marnell & Corrao Associates
Joseph Martori
Chairman, ILX
Honorable Dominic R. Massaro
New York Supreme Court
Joe Moglia
CEO
TD Ameritrade
Dr. Francesco Nicotra
Founder & Executive Director
Italy Italy Magazine
Michael Renzulli
Owner
Lori's Hospital Gift Shops
Dr. John P. Rosa
Chiropractor and Community Organizer
Anthony F. Sansone, Sr.
Principal, Chairman & CEO
Sansone Group
John F. Scarpa
Co-Founder
American Cellular Network Corporation
Peter J. Striano
Chairman & CEO
Unity International Group
Michael Zampardi
Virtu Management
Baroness Mariuccia Zerilli-Marimo
Philanthropist
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