Tag Archives: Pietro Tarantino

The Order Sons of Italy in America, Grand Lodge of Illinois/Wisconsin, honored a dozen outstanding individuals from all walks of life at the 18th annual Leonardo da Vinci Awards of Excellence Gala on May 5 at White Eagle Banquets in Niles. “Our recipients walk among giants in their chosen professions,” says Lodge President Marie Marsalli. “They lead by example and truly embrace their Italian heritage.” Fra Noi’s own Pat Capriati, author of the monthly Italian-language profile “L’eta d’oro” and co-host of the bilingual radio program “Domenica Insieme,” received an Award of Excellence in Communications at the event. Also receiving awards …

Three Midwestern luminaries were knighted by Italian Consul General Giuseppe Finocchiaro at a special ceremony on Dec. 12. Chicago-area activist Lissa Druss and Milwaukee stalwart Pietro Tarantino earned the rank of Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia and longtime Loyola University language instructor Anna Clara Ionta ascended to the higher rank of Ufficiale dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia. Lissa Druss Lissa Druss is founder and CEO of Strategia Consulting, a government relations, U.S. and international business relations, and crisis communication firm based in Chicago, DuPage County and Washington, D.C. Strategia relationships are spread throughout the U.S. and Europe. Lissa spent 21 years …