Introducing the 2013-2014 Officers

Our new administration brings a wealth of experience to the JCCIA — new growth and new enthusiasm will be infused into all of our future endeavors.

Our umbrella organization has always represented the hopes and dreams of our Italian community through a unified voice. At this time, I have the distinct privilege of presenting the 2013-2014 officers and leaders of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. In the previous column, I already introduced you to our new president Frank Cerrone of Pan American Bank. This month I wish to introduce you to:

Mauro Glorioso, First Vice President

Mauro is a graduate of the John Marshall Law School and serves on the JMLS Alumni Board. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in business finance from Saint Xavier College in Chicago where he achieved a perfect GPA and was ranked first in his class. He was the president of the Justinian Society of Lawyers in 2008 — 2009. Mauro’s other professional affiliations include the Illinois State Bar Association, where he sits on the prestigious Board of Governors. He is also a member of both the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. Mauro is a member of the board of the Catholic Lawyers Guild and a member of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Big Shoulders Fund. Mauro’s roots in the Italian American community began with the JCCIA. He was an active member of the JCCIA’s Young Adult Division, an organization committed to assisting the parent organization.

Christine Caliendo Cerami, Second Vice President

Christine is following in the footsteps of her father, Joseph DeSerto who during the early years was the secretary of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, working diligently on behalf of the Italian American community as Christine is now doing. Christine is a real estate broker/owner and has been involved in real estate since 1977. She has devoted her time and energies to the JCCIA as a member of the Queen Pageant and assistant chairman of Fiera Italiana and the 2012 co-chair of the Cardinal Bernardin Humanitarian Award. Her great love is for the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Melrose Park, where she has assisted prominently in the rebirth of the Shrine and most particularly in raising funds for the new gold crown for the incoronation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in 2009. She assisted in making all the arrangements for the significant trip to Italy where the new crown was blessed by the pope.

Enza Raineri, Third Vice President

Enza is first generation Italian American. Her parents immigrated to the United States from Sicily in the 1950’s and 60’s. Enza currently serves as the Associate Clerk for the Criminal/Juvenile Bureau for Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, which encompasses oversight of the Felony/Misdemeanor courtroom operations in the City of Chicago and the Juvenile Criminal and Child Protection Courtrooms. 2013 marks the beginning of her 24th year in Cook County government. Enza has worked on various committees and organizations within the Italian American community, always committed to keeping our traditions alive. She currently serves on the Italian American Political Coalition Board. Most important above all else are her two children, Robert 16, a sophomore at Maine South High School in Park Ridge, and daughter Arianna 13, who will be joining her big brother at the school as a freshman this fall.

Joseph L. Rago, Fourth Vice President

Joseph is a licensed funeral director and certified public accountant. He is a graduate of Loyola University in Chicago and Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Joseph also serves as the accounting instructor at Worsham College and operates a small accounting and tax practice. A director of the Human Relations Foundation of Chicago, Joseph is following in the footsteps of his father, Louis H. Rago, by being involved with the JCCIA. Joseph and his brother Anthony work alongside their father in organizing the annual Columbus Day Parade, taking after their grandfather Marco DeStefano, who was the parade marshal from 1952 until his death in 1988, when he passed away at age 94.

Arlene Elia, Secretary

Arlene has been a long time member of the Women’s Division of the JCCIA, successfully chairing the Italian Debutante Ball, and past program coordinator of the Impresa Award and the Women’s Division Scholarship Fashion Dinner. Arlene currently supports organizations such as Metropolitan of Dupage Family Services, PAD’s, as well as the JCCIA. She had a professional career as a decision making assistant to vice president and director of sales/logistics/marketing in the scientific and electronic industries and Export Coordinator of Scientific products for International companies. Arlene is supported by her husband John, three children and six grandchildren.

James Marnos, Treasurer

Jim is the Director of Human Resources for Tony’s Finer Foods. His Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans involvements include being a past Master of Ceremonies and Co-Chair for the Columbus Day Queen Pageant, and past committee member of the Cardinal Bernardin Humanitarian Award. He is also an active member of the Young Professional Division. Jim serves as Program Director for the Village of Rosemont Health and Fitness. He is responsible for organizing charities for Tony’s Finer Foods. To mention just a few of these they are Bare Necessities, PCF Cancer Foundation, Lydia Home for Abused Children, and Loyola Children Ronald McDonald Hospital. Jim works with local schools where Tony’s Finer Food stores are located. Jim looks forward to serving as an officer for the JCCIA. His wife Daniela is an active member of the JCCIA Women’s Division.

Ralph J. Imbrogno, Sergeant-at-Arms

Ralph attended Our Lady of Pompeii Elementary School and Crane Technical High School. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953 and served in the 7th Division, 13th Combat Engineers, during the Korean War. Ralph worked for Marshall Field’s for 40 years. In 1995, Ralph joined the Joseph J. Gentile Post #2 of the Italian American War Veterans. He was elected state commander in 2004-2005 and national junior vice commander in 2006-2007, and currently holds the post of the Officer of the Day. On October 13, Ralph was installed as commander of the Combined Veterans Association of Illinois. Ralph has been a delegate to the JCIA for many years.

I am honored to have worked alongside all of the exceptional people who have been so incredibly supportive. I thank Antonio Romanucci, Angela Rinaldi and Eugene Renda for giving unselfishly of themselves during their past term of office. I look forward to continuing to serve the JCCIA as executive director in the new administration.