Tag Archives: Columbian Club of Chicago

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, …

Carme Forte Jr. will ascend to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at a black-tie installation dinner on Jan. 27 at Medinah Country Club. For reservations, call Christopher Derks at 847-275-3130. Forte has been a member since 2015. “My father has been a member of the club for 20 years or more, and I always loved attending events with our family,” he explains. “I wanted to become more involved in a wonderful organization that furthers our Italian heritage and gives so much back to the community. “The CCC is a great group of men who are dedicated to …

Vic Guerrieri will ascend to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at a black tie installation dinner on Jan. 28 at Medinah Country Club. For reservations, call Carmen Forte at 708-473-1591. Guerrieri signed on as a member in 2011. “I joined to support the Italian-American traditions that the club stands for,” he says. “I admire their focus on giving scholarships to help students achieve their educational goals.” Guerrieri rose through the ranks of the officers to the presidency, and has served as director as well as chairman of several fundraising events. “I feel very honored and humbled that …

John Curry will ascend to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at a black-tie installation dinner on Jan. 29 at Medinah Country Club. For reservations, call Victor Guerrieri at 773-391-0882. Curry joined the Columbian Club in 2009. “I became interested after listening to my dearly departed friend Tony Morizzo talk about club events over dinner,” Curry recalls. “I was particularly interested in how members considered the Columbians to be an Italian-American businessman’s club, not just an Italian-American club, with a mission to promote our heritage and assist the community. “Being a member of the Columbian is like having …

Mortgage industry executive Michael D. Russotto will ascend to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at a black-tie-optional installation dinner on March 20 at the Royal Fox Country Club in St. Charles. For reservations, call John Curry at 847-890-8717. Russotto has been a member since 2014. “This club is made up of members with big hearts and extreme generosity. We promote Italian heritage and help those in need, and the scholarships we provide are second to none,” he explains. “I also enjoy the camaraderie that we have among members. We’re a tight-knit group united by common goals.” Russotto, …

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 …

The Rev. Richard LaPata was praised for 20 years of service to the Columbian Club of Chicago at the organization’s installation gala in January. First Vice President Mark Corrado delivered the following remarks before calling Fr. LaPata to the podium to accept an award: “Fr. LaPata came to know the Dominicans as a student at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois. Little did he know on his first day at Fenwick he would soon enter the Order of Preachers. Following graduation in 1950, young Dick LaPata joined dozens of classmates at the University of Notre Dame. After two years …

Financial planner Jack Cannata stepped up to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at its annual installation gala. Joining him as 2018 officers are First Vice President Stuart Caravello, Second Vice President Mark Corrado, Third Vice President Michael Russotto, Secretary John Curry, Treasurer Vic Guerrieri and Sergeant-at-Arms Carmen Forte Jr. One-year directors are John Brescia, Gabe Caporale, Vito Claps, Vito D’Ambrosio and Ross Morizzo. Two-year directors are Mike Campanile, Chris Derks, Gerard Iannuzzelli, Joe Marinacci and Vince Maietta. Charitable Foundation trustees are Anthony Ambrose, Daniel A. Corrado, George DePalma (Chairman), John Ferrentino (Vice Chairman), Carmen P. Forte (Treasurer), …

The Cook County Board marked the 25th anniversary of the Columbian Club Charitable Foundation with a special resolution on Dec. 12. Present were Columbian Club members (from left) Robert DiSilvestro Jr.; Carmen Forte Jr.; Leonard J. Maniscalco and Gabe Caporale; Commissioner Peter Silvestri; and Chairman Toni Preckwinkle. Maniscalco and fellow founding CCCF members Phillip C. Corrado, Anthony B. Corrado, Sen. Renato G. Turano, Sam Sciambatterra, Robert Novelle Sr., Ronald J. Giordano, Robert DiSilvestro Sr. and Fred Mazzei were honored at the club’s installation on Jan. 13.

Financial planner Jack P. Cannata has ascended to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago. Cannata joined the club in 1995. “I found out about the organization through longtime members Peter Fazio and Anthony Morizzo, and I was impressed with the caliber of the membership and the depth of the charitable work that they do,” he recalls. “The lasting friendships we’ve all made and the belief that we can truly make a difference in the community are the best attributes of the club.” Cannata has worked his way up through the ranks of the officers to the presidency, and …