** Former NIAF Scholarship Recipient Heads Region*
(WASHINGTON, D.C.—December 19, 2006) Michael A. Zampardi, senior managing director at Bear Stearns Asset Management, has been named the National Italian American Foundation’s (NIAF) regional vice president for the Greater New York Region. The region encompasses New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Zampardi, a former NIAF scholarship recipient, was awarded the A. P. Giannini Scholarship in 1997. He has been a NIAF Council Member since 1992.

“Michael Zampardi brings business expertise and years of community service to NIAF. We are proud to have Michael Zampardi represent NIAF in this most important area of our country. He will greatly enhance the NIAF presence in the region through council receptions and membership events,” NIAF Chairman Dr. A. Kenneth Ciongoli said.

Zampardi joined Bear Stearns in 1998 and is responsible for managing sales of its alternative products globally. Prior to his current position, Zampardi was a senior institutional equity sales trader with the company, overseeing relationship management of several of the world’s largest institutional money managers. His experience includes terms with the New York Stock Exchange and the New York Commodities Exchange in addition to employment as a financial analyst at AT&T. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a MBA from Columbia Business School.

Born in Hoboken, N.J., Zampardi grew up in Wood-Ridge, N.J. and lives in New York City with his wife Estela and his daughter Avianna.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., and dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. Visit www.niaf.org