FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Under the bluest of skies in the Valley of Sun, NIAF Vice Chairman Jerry Colangelo opened the Foundation’s Fourth Media Networking Forum in Phoenix on Tuesday, February 26 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa. Colangelo was joined by fellow NIAF Board Member Joseph Martori and media co-hosts Chris Coraggio of CBS 5 News in addition to Alexis DelChiaro and Rick D’Amico of FOX 10 news. The buffet luncheon of Italian specialties and regional wines from Italy was underwritten by the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa and Ben Fusco, Area Vice President of Hilton Resorts and Hotels-Southwest.

NIAF scholarship recipient Christina Ceccato, a senior at the University of Arizona, and more than a dozen local Italian-American journalists enjoyed meeting and sharing stories.

During the luncheon, Colangelo invited everyone to attend this year’s 33rd Anniversary Gala Weekend, planned for October 17-18, at which he will serve as Gala Chairman. He encouraged those who haven’t traveled to Italy to make the trip and experience, first-hand, the land of their ancestors. He also talked about his Italian heritage and the important contributions our families have made to America. Martori urged all to become more involved with NIAF and described the Foundation as “finding your way home.”

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 our Web site at www.niaf.org