Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
For Christopher Derks, finally becoming president of the Columbian Club of Chicago is an honor … and a bit of surprise.
“You work your way up through the ranks, so you know it’s coming,” he says of the presidency. “It has come a lot quicker than I was expecting.”
Derks will assume the presidency on Jan. 1, but the club’s annual installation dinner has been moved from its traditional time slot in January to April 12 at Cuneo Mansion.
Joining Derks as officers will be First Vice President Gerald Iannuzzelli, Second Vice President Edoardo Izzi, Third Vice President Michael Quaid, Secretary Frank Binetti, Treasurer Michael Rosciano, and Sergeant-at-Arms Sal Palazzolo. Serving on the 2025 Columbian Club board of directors will be Anthony Ambrose, Stuart Caravello, Vito D’Ambrosio, Christopher Gapastione, Frank Lucchese, Rocco Molfese, Ross Morizzo, Gino Palladino, Rocco Sarli and Thomas Schild.
Derks, 44 years old, first learned about the group from past club president and close family friend Tony Morizzo, who he lived next door to growing up. The first Columbian Club event he attended was a St. Joseph’s Day Table celebration. He recalls being impressed by not just the great food, entertainment and atmosphere but by the camaraderie of everyone there.
Derks joined the group in 2012 along with Morizzo’s son, Ross, a longtime friend. “We were the youngsters of the group and kind of sat back being quiet,” he says of the early years. “Now, all these years later we’re no longer the youngsters.”
Membership in the club is limited to 100 active members, with a maximum of nine members in any given business or professional category.
Derk notes that the club is currently under the cap and that they’re “always looking to grow. I’d love to have a rolodex of people waiting to jump in. When you add new members, they come with new ideas. We’re heading in the right direction.”
New members are sponsored by current members and approved by the board, he notes.
For the last five years, Derks has served as vice president and project executive for TW Chicago commercial construction company. He and his wife, Amy, live with their daughters, Eloise and Anabel, live in Lombard.
The Columbian Club of Chicago was founded by eight Italian-American businessmen in September 1939 to help foster a spirit of mutual support and goodwill while the country was struggling through the Great Depression.
Throughout the decades, the group has stuck to those guns, continuing to promote camaraderie among its members while helping to build a better community.
In 1984, it took the latter mission to a new level with the creation of the Columbian Club Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)3 corporation through which its major fundraising and philanthropic activities are run. (More on that next month.)
On his way to the presidency, Derks was proud to of serving on the committee to select which bright, deserving young applicants will receive one of many academic scholarship bestowed by the foundation.
“That’s something we’re all very proud of, the way we help young Italian-Americans find success,” he says.
The creation of the foundation freed the club to focus on social and cultural events.
Last year featured a full calendar including a bowling night, sporting clays shoot and bocce tournament; the Morizzo Smoker; outings to Wolves, White Sox and Blackhawks; and a Christmas party.
Derks has ambitious plans for his tenure.
“I am hoping to throw events that raise money. I’d like to set a new standard for the presidency to grow the money for the next president,” he says. “It’s going to be a lot of work and I’m looking forward to putting in the work.”
Derks says he is hoping to launch a new cancer awareness event this year as well as a new casino night fundraiser. He also hopes to revive the group’s St. Joseph’s Day celebration, which hasn’t been held in recent years due to COVID restrictions and rising prices after the restrictions were lifted.
“That’s one of the major things that I’m trying to bring back, everyone loves this event,” he says.
For reservations for the April 12 installation, call Gerard Iannuzzelli at 847-450-9754.
