Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Northfield CPA John L. Ferrentino stepped up to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at the organization’s annual installation gala.
Joining Ferrentino as 2015 officers are First Vice President Jonathan L. Zivojnovic, Second Vice President Anthony L. Ambrose, Third Vice President Jack P. Cannata, Secretary Stuart J. Caravello, Treasurer Vincent A. Maietta and Sergeant-at-Arms Mark M. Corrado.
The two-year members of the board of directors are Frank Binetti, Michael D. Russotto, John F. Curry, Daniel A. Corrado and. Frank J. Lucchese. The one-year directors are Ross A. Morizzo, John L. Ambrogi, Victor M. Guerrieri, Christopher M. Dirks and Carmen P. Forte.
The trustees of the Columbian Club Charitable Foundation are Gabriel J. Caporale (chairman), Frank Lucchese (scholarship chairman), Robert J. Di Silvestro, John L. Ferrentino, Carmen P. Forte, Paul W. Gazillo, Anthony J. Morizzo, Vincent P. Morreale, Michael Spilotro and Peter A. Volpe.
A member since 2006, Ferrentino says he was attracted to the Columbian Club because he viewed the organization’s charitable and scholarship programs as ways of giving back to the community.
Ferrentino sees the responsibilities of presidents as twofold. “The first is to continue the tradition and history of the club, which dates back to 1939,” he notes. “The second, with the input of our members, is to maintain our programs in a manner that is relevant to the needs of our community.”
A resident of Elmwood Park and a past trustee the Elmwood Park Public Library for 26 years, Ferrentino and his wife, Patricia, have two children, John and Jacqueline.
The full text of Ferrentino’s acceptance speech follows:
“Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the members of the Columbian Club of Chicago, I want to welcome you to our 76th annual installation and dinner dance.
“First, I want to extend thanks to the staff of Medinah Country Club and especially to the members of the Installation Committee for all of their efforts in the planning and execution of tonight’s event.
“I am truly grateful to the members of the club for entrusting me to be the president of the Columbian Club for this year.
“I am humbled to accept the presidency and to join the ranks of the men who have preceded me. Please look at the last page of the program booklet as it lists all of the past presidents of our club. To be included with them is a great honor for me.
“As I have said many times, the main tenets of the Columbian Club are family, food and giving. Tonight is no exception to this: I am here with my family — my daughter, Jacqueline, my lovely wife Patricia and my son, John — along with my extended family.
“Tonight we will enjoy a fabulous meal and award 13 scholarships to an amazing group of young men and women in furtherance of their educational endeavors.
“As I promised, I will be brief, so please enjoy the program and dinner.
“After dinner we will all dance the night away.”
