Ciao … I was born in Frosinone, Italy, just an hour south of Rome (the Lazio region). I came to the United States on a ship named the SS Michelangelo that arrived in New York City passing underneath the Verrazano Bridge. I came here at the age of five with my parents, Giacomo and Michelina. We lived in the Belmont section of the Bronx, New York (the real Little Italy). I was placed into the first grade, and I spoke only Italian at the time. My parents insisted that my brother, Massimo, and I attend a Catholic school run by nuns and brothers. I spent my summer months back in Italy with my grandparents to keep my Italian fluent. I went to Christopher Columbus High School and played soccer. I received my bachelor’s degree at Bernard Baruch College in New York City and graduated with a degree in international marketing and minor in psychology. 

Growing up in an Italian neighborhood, we continued to experience the traditions and culture. It was easy to find Italian places to shop for bread, pastries, meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, and more. I enjoyed attending Italian street festivals throughout New York City. On Sundays, my mother would always get up very early and start making the sauce (not gravy). You could not help but smell the wonderful aroma of sauce waking up after a long night out. Sunday dinners never ended when the family was over. Since I have a love for music, I picked up the bass guitar as a teenager and played with local bands growing up. I served as a bass player and master of ceremony with many Italian American bands performing at weddings and Italian festivals for over 25 years throughout the New York Metro area. 

My passion is in automobiles and Formula One racing. The last 30-plus years, I’ve served the automotive industry with brands such as Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Maserati, Volkswagen, Audi, and currently the past 14 years with Ford Motor Company. I held various industry positions such as Area Executive, Sales & Marketing, Sales and Product Trainer, and Product Distribution. I’m a host of a podcast show called “The Xfactors2success Show,” long-time member of a Toastmasters Speakers Club, Certified Jack Canfield Trainer of the Success Principles, and I am working on publishing my first book by the end of the year. 

I am married to a wonderful redhead (Testarossa) named Vita. We have four children, Alessio, Fabrizio, Valentina, and Lorenzo. We moved from Valley Stream (Long Island) New York to Wake Forest, North Carolina, in July 2020. I’m an active member of Triangle Sons & Daughters of Italy, Lodge 2817. I’m excited to be serving on the Board of Festa Italiana in sharing my passion of Italian language, culture, food, arts, music and of course as the emcee for Festa Italiana 2025!