NIAF Announces that it Has Elected a New Board of Directors

(Washington, D.C. – April 16, 2021)

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) has elected a new Board of Directors on April 13, 2021 for the 2021-2025 term.

Robert E. Carlucci, founder and Chief Executive Officer of The RC Group, and former NIAF Vice Chair of Development, was elected to serve as the Foundation’s Chairman. Mr. Carlucci succeeds Hon. Patricia de Stacy Harrison and the late Gabriel A. Battista who served as Co-chairs.

As founder of The RC Group, Mr. Carlucci has been a leader in the food-service industry as a real estate developer and operator of Yum Brands Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut for more than 30 years. He was a co-founder of Bay National Bank of Annapolis, Md., where he served as an executive board member and vice chairman. He served on numerous other boards, including YUM Brand Government Affairs Board as well as Taco Bell and KFC Franchise boards.

Philanthropy plays an important role in Mr. Carlucci’s life. He served on the Board of Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. He also established The Carlucci Entrepreneurship Forum at The American University of Rome, where he was a former board member and trustee. Prior to being elected Chairman of NIAF, Mr. Carlucci supported the Foundation’s mission and served on the Board of Directors since 2008.

Mr. Carlucci is joined by John F. Calvelli, executive vice president of public affairs for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), as the Foundation’s Executive Vice Chair. This newly created position will work to support the office of the Chairman. Mr. Calvelli is the former NIAF Vice Chair International.

NIAF’s three newly elected Vice Chairs are Peter J. Arduini, president and CEO of Integra LifeSciences, as Vice Chair of Fund Development; Kenneth J. Aspromonte, a former Major League Baseball player and manager of the Cleveland Indians, as Vice Chair International; and Hon. Anita Bevacqua McBride, executive in-residence at the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies in the School of Public Affairs at American University and former chief of staff to First Lady Laura Bush, as Vice Chair National.

NIAF’s new Executive Vice Presidents are Linda R. Carlozzi, a principal in the New York City office of Jackson Lewis PC, as Executive Vice President of Scholarships, Grants and Youth Engagement; Hon. Frank Giordano, executive director of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, as Executive Vice President of Government; and Gerard S. LaRocca, a former managing director and CAO, Americas, at Barclays, as Executive Vice President of National Membership.

Anthony DiSandro Jr., Esq., a shareholder at the law firm of Stevens & Lee, was elected as Secretary. George Simeone, a senior client partner at Deloitte’s Audit and Assurance Practice, was elected as Treasurer and Joseph D. Lonardo, a former managing partner of the Vorys Law Firm, was elected as General Counsel.

Current Board Members re-elected to serve as At-Large Executive Committee Members of the Board are Maria Bartiromo, anchor & global markets editor at FOX Business Network & FOX News Channel; Cav. Nicholas R. Caiazzo, Esq., partner, Wilson Elser; Antonio Giordano, MD, Ph.D., president and founder of the Sbarro Health Research Organization, and professor at Temple University; Hon. Michael A. Ferguson, senior advisor, BakerHostetler; and Louis E. Tosi, a partner in the Ohio offices of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP.

Philip L. Rinaldi, founder, chairman and CEO (Ret.), Philadelphia Energy Solutions LLC and Private Equity Investor; and Alfonso Ruffo, editor and journalist, were elected as Non-Term-Limited Directors for a term of four years.

Hon. Capri Cafaro, executive-in-residence at American University’s School of Public Affairs and former state senator (OH); Joseph Moglia, former CEO and chairman, TD Ameritrade, and executive director for Football & Executive Advisor to the President, Coastal Carolina; and Dr. John Rosa, integrative medicine specialist and community organizer, Accessible Beltway Clinics, were elected an additional one year on their term as Term-Limited Directors.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and protecting the Italian American heritage and culture. To learn more about the Foundation and become a member, please visit www.niaf.org.