FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Danielle DeSimone
National Italian American Foundation
202-939-3122
ddesimone@niaf.org

(Washington, D.C. – August 7, 2017) The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) congratulates Lewis M. Eisenberg on his confirmation to be ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the United States to the Italian Republic.

“On behalf of the National Italian American Foundation, we want to extend our congratulations to Lewis Eisenberg, confirmed by President Trump to serve as ambassador to the Italian Republic,” said NIAF Co-Chair Patricia De Stacy Harrison. “The recipient of many deserved awards and honors, including Man of the Year by the National Conference for Community and Justice in New Jersey for his work on behalf of community and justice, ‘Lew’ Eisenberg will bring his renowned leadership qualities to this important post to ensure that the strong relationship between America and Italy will continue to grow.”

“NIAF, the nation’s premier Italian American foundation, comprising men and women leaders of Italian American heritage, looks forward to working with Ambassador Eisenberg here and in Italy,” said NIAF Co-Chair, Gabriel A. Battista.

“We are honored to work with Ambassador Eisenberg in NIAF’s continued efforts to encourage relations between the United States and Italy,” said John M. Viola, NIAF president and chief operating officer. “In the past, NIAF has worked collaboratively with government and civil society to provide support and monetary relief funds during moments of natural disasters, such as the devastating 2009 earthquake in Italy’s Abruzzo region, after which NIAF raised 2 million dollars and helped rebuild the region’s educational facilities. Recently, NIAF raised 7 million dollars following the 2016 earthquakes that inflicted incredible hardships on the people of central Italy. We look forward to working with Ambassador Eisenberg and the Embassy of Italy to support the rebuilding efforts of this region, and to continue the tradition of enthusiastic partnership that NIAF has always enjoyed at the Villa Taverna as we fulfill our mission to serve as a bridge between Italy and the United States.”

“We eagerly anticipate working with Ambassador Eisenberg through NIAF’s long-standing efforts to partner with business and political leaders in order to strengthen cultural and economic ties between Italy and the United States,” said NIAF Vice Chairs, Anita Bevacqua McBride and John F. Calvelli. “We are honored to partner with the U.S.-Italy Fulbright Commission in NIAF’s educational endeavors in order to support the robust Fulbright program in Italy; and the Fondazione Falcone in Palermo, Sicily to create the Fulbright Commission’s only program that provides opportunities for both American and Italian students to carry out studies in criminology and the rule of law. We look forward to continuing to work with Ambassador Eisenberg and the Embassy of Italy to continue NIAF’s cultural and educational mission.”

Eisenberg is a successful financier, investor and philanthropist. Originally from Chicago, he earned his Bachelor’s degree at Dartmouth College and his M.B.A at Cornell Johnson School of Business. As the co-founder and managing partner of Ironhill Investments in New York, he has a great deal of experience in engaging with State and local governments on complicated issues.

Eisenberg served as the chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for six years and was named a founding board member of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. With this corporation, he chaired its 9/11 Victims’ Families and Transportation Advisory Councils. He is an Emeritus Member of Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management Advisory Council as well as a Life Member of the Cornell University Council.
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The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and protecting the Italian American heritage and culture. To learn more about the Foundation and become a member, please visit www.niaf.org