FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

(WASHINGTON, D.C.—March 17, 2008) Seven notable Italian Americans have been elected to the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Board of Directors during a March 14 meeting at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, D.C.

NIAF’s newly elected 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 and Affiliates; Kenneth Langone, co-founder of Home Depot; John P. Rosa, a chiropractor and community organizer; John F. Scarpa, co-founder of American Cellular Network Corporation; and Michael Zampardi, business executive and former senior managing director at Bear Stearns. Each new member was appointed to a four-year term.

“The NIAF Board of Directors is fortunate to add seven outstanding leaders in their fields to strengthen the expertise of our board,” NIAF Chairman Dr. A. Kenneth Ciongoli said. Current members of the NIAF Board of Directors include some of the top business leaders in the United States, 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.

NIAF’s outgoing Board Members include: Rick Caruso, founder and CEO of Caruso Affiliated; Gerard V. Centioli, president and CEO of ICON LLC; Hon. Charles Gargano, former U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago; Robert Georgine, former president of ULLICO; Hon. Dominic R. Massaro, State Supreme Court Justice in New York; and best-selling author Lisa Scottoline.

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