2013 Installation Dinner

Michael Spilotro ascended to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at the organization’s 74th annual installation and dinner dance on Jan. 26 at the Medinah Country Club.

Joining him as officers are First Vice President Peter A. Volpe, Second Vice President John L. Ferrentino, Third Vice President Jonathan L. Zivojnovic, Secretary Anthony L. Ambrose, Treasurer Jack P. Cannata and Sergeant-at-Arms Vincent A. Maietta.

Two-year directors for the Columbian Club are Alan Comella, John F. Curry, George J. DePalma, Robert S. DiFiglio and John Ambrogi, and one-year directors are Mario M. Ricchio, Stuart J. Caravello, Frank Cerrone, Dr. Frank A. Trocchio and Mark M. Corrado.

Officers of the Columbian Club Charitable Foundation are Chairman Dr. Frank A. Trocchio, Vice Chairman Gabriel J. Caporale, Secretary Daniel A. Corrado and Treasurer Vincent P. Morreale, and Foundation trustees are Daniel D. Corrado Sr., Frank J. Lucchese, Anthony J. Morizzo, Michael Spilotro and Italian Sen. Renato G. Turano.

Following is the text from President Spilotro’s acceptance speech:

Good evening ladies and gentlemen:

To my family, my friends, especially my beautiful wife, Jeanne, fellow Colombian Club members, and distinguished guests, I thank you for your attendance tonight at this wonderful event.

At this time, I would like to thank Mr. Peter Volpe, the chairman of tonight’s event and, his committee — Jack Cannata, Jonathan Zivojnovic, Vincent Maietta and Anthony Ambrose — for their outstanding work in putting this all together. They have done an excellent job and deserve a big hand.

Accepting the responsibility as president of the Columbian Club of Chicago for the year 2013 is a great honor for me. It has been my privilege to be a member of this organization since 2005, and I owe this to my sponsor Dr Frank Trocchio .

I would also like to thank our outgoing President ,Dr. Ralph Del Monico, for his fine efforts this past year. He deserves a big hand.

To be part of a premier Italian-American organization that serves and assists our community gives me a sense of great pride. Spreading goodwill, whether it be through donations or scholarships, is an investment.

By helping others today, we stand to gain much more in the future. Like the old saying goes, “you reap what you sow.”

Which is why, for the past 74 years, we been reaping the benefits by lending a helping hand. Our forefathers that started this club in 1939 would be very proud.

I encourage our current and especially our new members to be active and supportive participants in our club. The first Wednesday of every month, we have a board meeting that is open to all our members and, unlike what my wife, Jeanne, says. it’s not just an eating club.

We plan and discuss our events for the year and come up with great causes to donate while enjoying a good meal.

I still remember the first function I attended. It was a St Joseph dinner, and I was impressed with everyone that I met. It was a distinctive group of gentlemen, highly regarded in their professions and community, with a common denominator a strong Italian heritage, some of whom had fathers and grandfathers belonging to this club.

Speaking of which, one particular gentleman comes to mind, Dr. Ralph’s father, the late Dr. Ralph Del Monico. He gave me the best advice that very day. He said and I quote. “Mike it’s a great club. You get out what you put in.”

I took his advice and I am standing here before you today as president.

Thank you all for coming, and enjoy the evening.