Two notable Italian Americans with distinguished careers in federal law enforcement and community advocacy have been elected to the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Board of Directors for the 2016-2020 term during an April 29 meeting at the New York offices at Pepper Hamilton LLP. NIAF’s new Board Members are Joseph R. Guccione, managing director of Freeh Group International Solutions LLC, and former U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of New York; and Basil M. Russo, national president of the Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), and the ISDA Fraternal Association.


During the Foundation’s New York Gala in April, NIAF presented the second-annual Mario M. Cuomo Award in Public Service to Guccione.


“We are honored and proud to have Joseph Guccione and Basil Russo, two outstanding Italian Americans, serving on NIAF’s Board of Directors,” said NIAF President and COO John M. Viola. “The leadership that these men exhibit in their respective fields further strengthens the expertise of our distinguished board. We welcome their character, keen insight and dedication to the Italian American community.”


The NIAF Board of Directors and its Board Officers includes some of the most prominent business executives in the United States, including Maria Bartiromo, global markets editor at FOX Business Network; John F. Calvelli, executive vice president for the Public Affairs Division of the Wildlife Conservation Society; Linda R. Carlozzi, a partner in the New York Office of Jackson Lewis LLP; Joseph V. Del Raso, Esq., a partner with Pepper Hamilton LLP; Hon. Louis J. Freeh, former FBI director; Hon. Mike Ferguson, a former member of Congress; Frank Giordano, president and CEO of The Philly POPS and Atlantic Trailer Leasing Corporation; Hon. Patricia de Stacy Harrison, president and chief executive officer of the Corporation of Public Broadcasting; Gerard S. LaRocca, chief administrative officer of the Americas at Barclays Capital; Hon. Anita Bevacqua McBride, executive in residence at American University School of Public Affairs and former chief of staff to First Lady Laura Bush; Charles Turano, executive vice president of the National Hockey League franchise Florida Panthers and director of Heritage Werks; and Michael J. Zarrelli, managing counsel and federal affairs manager for Alticor Inc., in Washington, D.C.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage and culture of Americans of Italian descent. Visit www.niaf.org. [2]