Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Retired CFO Mark M. Corrado will ascend to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at a black-tie optional installation dinner on Jan. 18 at the Medinah Country Club. For reservations, call Michael Russotto at 630-222-2686.
Corrado has been a member of the Columbian Club since 2006, but he was introduced to the organization more than 40 years ago when his father, Albert, first joined.
“While it took a few years for me to follow in his footsteps, I always saw how proud he was to be a member and the joy it brought him,” Corrado explains. “This was especially evident when my wife and I joined him and my mother at various club events.”
Corrado served as chairman of the club’s Christmas party, annual excursion and installation dinner over the years, in addition to ascending through the ranks of the officers on his way to the presidency.
“To be a member of an organization that places a high emphasis on promoting our Italian heritage, giving back to the community through the fine work of our foundation, and providing a means to form lifelong friendships is very rewarding,” he says, “and the feeling of family and the genuine camaraderie among the members is paramount.”
Becoming the president is a humbling experience, according to Corrado. “It is somewhat overwhelming, but knowing the character of our officers and directors I am confident I will have their support and encouragement,” he shares.
His goals as president are to “expand membership by reaching out to past scholarship recipients, form a health and welfare committee to visit sick and elderly members, and continue in the traditions that make the Columbian Club of Chicago great.”
Corrado recently retired as CFO of W-T Engineering after a 35-year career in finance and accounting. He lives in Schaumburg with his wife, Carole, and they have three children — Kristin, Valerie and Alyssa — who have given them four grandchildren.
He is a member of the Italian American Executives of Transportation, an associate member of the Italian American War Veterans and treasurer of the Pickwick Place Owner’s Association.
