Eight hundred guests attended the National Italian American Foundation’s East Coast Gala on April 14 at the Marriott New York Marquis in Times Square including baseball great Yogi Berra, film icon Isabella Rossellini, singing legend Frankie Valli, the cast of Broadway’s hottest show, “Jersey Boys,” actor Tony LoBianco, rock and roll legend Lou Christie, and former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, accompanied by his wife and former NIAF board member Matilda Cuomo.

The evening honored prominent Italian-American businessmen Bob Greifeld, CEO of The NASDAQ OMX Group; Leonardo LoCascio, president and CEO of Winebow; Joanne Minieri, COO of Forest City Ratner Companies; and the Kolaj Family, founders of Famous Famiglia. Other special guests included New York City Fire Chief Salvatore Cassano, Italian Trade Commissioner Aniello Musella, and Italy’s Consul General in New York, the Hon. Francesco Talo.

NIAF East Coast Gala Chairman Marc Corea, chairman of the Tiro a Segno Foundation of New York, welcomed guests to the hotel’s Broadway Ballroom. Additionally, NIAF Chairman Dr. A. Kenneth Ciongoli discussed the important shared values that connect Italian Americans while Foundation President Salvatore J. Zizza spoke to guests about NIAF’s many important scholarship and grant programs.

Valli presented a scholarship in his name to Ashley Louszko of Staten Island, a freshman studying music performance at Fordham University.

Don DiFrancesco, former acting governor of New Jersey, presented LoCascio with a NIAF Lifetime Achievement Award. NIAF Vice Chair Vincent Viola presented NIAF Special Achievement Awards in Business to Greifeld and Minieri while Bill DeCota, director of aviation for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, presented a NIAF Special Achievement Award for Humanitarian Service to the Kolaj Family.

Highlights of the evening included a performance by Italian singing sensation Patrizio, who thrilled the crowed with a swinging, up-tempo rendition of “That’s Amore” and a live auction featuring a golf outing with Yogi Berra, dinner at RAO’s, and other luxurious prizes.

CBS News Anchor and Correspondent Alexis Christoforous served as master of ceremonies. Michael Zampardi, NIAF regional vice president for the Greater New York Area, also attended the celebration.

View more photos from the 2008 East Coast Gala!


View NIAF's 2007 East Coast Gala Review and Photos!