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National Organizations Unite To Launch First Ever Silicon Valley Italian Executive Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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


(PALO ALTO, CALIF. – February 24, 2004) The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), under the patronage of the Italian Consulate General in San Francisco and in association with Carr & Ferrell LLP, today announce the launch of Silicon Valley Italian Executive Council (SVIEC). SVIEC is a cohesive group of Italian and Italian-American technology professionals, who meet together on an informal basis to network, socialize and stay current on issues relating to technology, the law, government and public policy.

“Assembling the best and brightest Italian and Italian-American technology entrepreneurs the San Francisco Bay area has to offer is an exciting initiative,” said Dr. Francesco Sciortino, Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco. “While many Italians are making outstanding contributions to the Silicon Valley, we all feel the lack of a forum linking experiences and ideas towards the establishment of a wider and fresher idea of Italy. Therefore, I am happy to strongly support the NIAF initiative that perfectly fits within the activities and goals of the Consulate.”

SVIEC will host bi-monthly gatherings where its members can meet other Italian and Italian-American technology professionals from the San Francisco Bay area, as well as hear from highly-influential guest speakers on a variety of compelling topics. “In 1968, I left Italy’s Veneto region to work at Fairchild Semiconductor, then the world’s leading semiconductor company,” said Federico Faggin, co-inventor of the microprocessor and president and chief executive officer of Foveon, Inc., a developer of image capture technologies and products for digital cameras. “Since that time, I have personally witnessed the many leadership and technological advancements made by Italians throughout the Silicon Valley. It is this Italian thread of influence woven throughout the fabric of this Valley that I hope to promote through my association with SVIEC.”

The launch of SVIEC comes on the forefront of a visit to California by His Excellency Ambassador Sergio Vento, Italian Ambassador to the United States. The role of technology and innovation will be one of his focuses while meeting with other leaders and dignitaries during his visit to the San Francisco Bay area. “I am delighted to have a local venue to meet and associate with other Italian and Italian- American technology professionals,” said Enzo Torresi, managing partner of MyQube, an international venture capital and financial advisory firm focusing on the development of high-tech, private companies. “Spotlighting the creative Italian spirit will help to define our culture beyond fashion, food and fast cars.”

“It is exciting to learn about the ever-changing Italian influence throughout the Silicon Valley,” said Joe Cerrell, president of National Italian American Foundation. “It is my vision to tell our story by gathering together to network, socialize and publicize the great technological contributions made everyday by Italians.”

For more information regarding SVIEC or one of its upcoming events, visit www.carrferrell.com/about/sviec.html.

About NIAF The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan foundation dedicated to promoting the contributions of Italian Americans. Based in Washington D.C., the foundation has a wide-range of programs that provide scholarships and grants, conferences and cultural seminars. For more information on NIAF and its activities, please visit www.niaf.org

About The Italian Consulate General in San Francisco For more information, visit www.italcons-sf.org/index.htm.

About Carr & Ferrell LLP Carr & Ferrell LLP is one of Silicon Valley’s foremost intellectual property and corporate law firms, committed to providing a unique blend of legal and technical expertise. Since its founding in 1992, Carr & Ferrell has been a trusted advisor for many of the world’s premier technology companies, including Apple, Fujitsu, Intuit, PeopleSoft, Polycom, Sony and VERITAS Software. Carr & Ferrell can be contacted at www.CarrFerrell.com or by phone at (650) 812-3400.

Press Contacts:

NIAF Elissa Ruffino (202) 939-3106 elissa@niaf.org

Consulate General of San Francisco Terenzio Scapolla Director, Science and Technology (415) 292-9217 terenzio.scapolla@itwash.org

Carr & Ferrell LLP Jonathan Fitzgarrald (650) 812-3466 pr@carrferrell.com