FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

(Washington, DC – March 19, 2008) Michael A. Zampardi, a former senior managing director at Bear Stearns, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). The election was held March 14 during the Foundation’s board meeting at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, D.C.

“Michael is an innovative businessman and dedicated member of the Italian-American community, who has served as our regional vice president in the greater New York area,” NIAF Chairman Dr. A. Kenneth Ciongoli said. “We are pleased to have him serve on our distinguished board.”

Zampardi is currently involved in the oversight and management of several financial services companies. While at Bear Stearns, he served as a senior institutional equity sales trader, overseeing relationship management for several of the world’s largest institutional money managers. He was then promoted to global head of marketing for Bear Stearns Asset Management’s alternative products.

Zampardi’s professional experience includes terms with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the New York Commodities Exchange. Prior to that, he was a financial analyst at AT&T. He also managed software sales for Sterling Software.

Born in Hoboken, N.J., Zampardi grew up in Wood-Ridge, N.J. He currently lives in New York City with his wife and their two children. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and an MBA from Columbia University.

Current members of the NIAF Board of Directors include some of the country’s top business leaders, including Ben Cammarata, chairman of TJX Companies, Inc.; Rocco B. Commisso, chairman and CEO of Mediacom Communications Corporation; Mario J. Gabelli of Gabelli Asset Management, Inc.; and James J. Schiro, CEO of Zurich Financial Services.

Other newly elected NIAF board members are: Gabriel A. Battista, former executive chairman of Talk America; Juanita Campitelli, NIAF advocate; Robert E. Carlucci, founder and owner of R&R Ventures; Kenneth G. Langone, co-founder of Home Depot and founder and president of Invemed Associated Inc; John P. Rosa, chiropractor and community organizer; and John F. Scarpa, co-founder of the American Cellular Network.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. Visit www.niaf.org.