The Kevin T. Robertson Show interviews NATIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION

• published: 20 Apr 2010
• views: 353

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