FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

SPONSOR: The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)

WHEN: Thursday evening, April 12, 2012
6:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception
7:30 p.m. Dinner

WHERE: Cipriani 42nd Street
110 East 42nd St .
New York, NY 10017

Industry leaders Maria Bartiromo, CNBC anchor, Emmy Award-winning journalist and a member of NIAF’s Board of Directors; Art Certosimo, senior executive vice president of Bank of New York Mellon; Frank D’Amelio, executive vice president, business operations and chief financial officer of Pfizer Inc.; Chazz Palminteri, writer, director, producer and Academy Award-nominated actor; and Donna M. Rapaccioli Ph.D., dean of the Gabelli School of Business and dean of the business faculty at Fordham University, will be honored at the National Italian American Foundation’s (NIAF) annual East Coast Gala on April 12, 2012.

Held at the legendary Italian Renaissance-inspired Cipriani 42nd Street, the evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. The gala also includes a performance by famed Italo-Australian singer ALFIO. In 2010, ALFIO performed at the Chairman’s After Hours Event during the Foundation’s 35th Anniversary Gala in Washington, D.C.

NIAF’s East Coast Gala is chaired by Gerard S. LaRocca, a member of NIAF’s Board of Directors and chief administrative officer, Americas, Barclays Capital. The mistress of ceremonies for the evening will be Hon. Patricia de Stacy Harrison, NIAF vice chair and president and CEO for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Proceeds from NIAF’s East Coast Gala will benefit the Foundation’s philanthropic and educational programs. Tickets begin at $400. Attire: Business. For more information or sponsorship opportunities, visit: www.niaf.org/eastcoastgala or contact Jerry Jones at 202/939-3102 or jerry@niaf.org.

Media Contacts: Elissa Ruffino at 202-939-3106, elissa@niaf.org or Gina Ghilardi at 202-939-3116, gina@niaf.org. For additional information about NIAF’s events across the country, visit www.niaf.org and click on “Calendar.”

EVENING HONOREES

Art Certosimo Senior Executive Vice President Bank of New York Mellon View Biography	Maria Bartiromo Emmy-Award Winning Journalist and CNBC Anchor View Biography	Chazz Palminteri Writer, Director, Producer and Academy Award-Nominated Actor View Biography

Frank D’Amelio Executive Vice President, Business Operations and Chief Financial Officer of Pfizer View Biography	Dean Donna Rapaccioli, Ph.D. and Gabelli School of Business, Fordham University View Biography

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT

ALFIO View Biography

Pia Toscano View Biography

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