Anthony R. Caputo, M.D.
Chief of Ophthalmology, Newark Eye & Ear Infirmary

Born in Newark and raised in Belleville, Anthony Caputo received his Medical Degree from the University of Bologna. His internship and ophthalmology training was completed at the New Jersey Medical School. Upon returning to Newark, he was appointed Director of Fight for Sight Children’s Eye Care Center and became the first pediatric ophthalmologist to practice in New Jersey. Dr. Caputo is currently the Director of the Newark Eye and Ear Infirmary, one of the oldest eye hospitals in the country. He is also Professor of Ophthalmology at UMDNJ and Director of the Children’s Eye Care Center of New Jersey. Dr. Caputo serves as Lottery Commissioner for the State of New Jersey and is a past Board Member of the State Board of Medical Examiners.

Family and tradition are very important to him. His father was a family practitioner in Belleville for 55 years. His brother, Tom, is Chief of GYN Oncology at New York Hospital-Cornell, brother, Paul, is a podiatrist, and brother, Mark, manages the family real estate. Dr. Caputo and his wife, Catherine, have three daughters and his three grand children provide the inspiration for his continued love of pediatric ophthalmology.

Salvatore A. Davino
Founder & Chairman, Fidelity Land Development Corporation and Affiliated Companies

Born and raised in South Orange, NJ, Sal Davino began his career with his father in a home improvement business. His work in that field led him to the construction of custom homes, as well as retail and industrial construction. Sal shifted his focus and became involved in commercial real estate at Gibraltar Land Resources and Development Company, a division of Gibraltar Securities. Three years later, he formed Fidelity Land Development Corporation.

Today, Mr. Davino presides over Fidelity Land Development Corp., Fidelity Management Co., Inc., and Fidelity Land affiliated companies. Sal is an active builder, owner and manager of shopping centers, office buildings and warehouses. Fidelity also owns and manages golf recreation centers and medical timeshare units.

Sal Davino’s community involvement and philanthropic activities mirror his professional success. Mr. Davino has dedicated many years of service to Columbus Hospital, serving on its Board of Trustees since 1986. He has served in various capacities, including the Strategic Planning Committee and Chairman of the hospital’s Building Committee, overseeing a $20 million expansion program which included new operating rooms and a four-level parking garage. Sal Davino is also a Trustee of the Columbus Hospital Foundation and currently serves as its Treasurer.

In addition to Columbus Hospital, he dedicates his time and resources to a number of other initiatives: Cathedral Healthcare System Board of Governors, Board of Overseers of Redemptoris Mater Seminary, Trustee of The Shepherd’s of Youth in Florham Park, Commissioner of the Italian-American Heritage Commission and Director of Enterprise Bank. Mr. Davino was recently awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and was inducted into the Italian-American National Hall of Fame for his philanthropic endeavors.

Sal resides in Harding with his wife, Fran. They have two children, Sandra and Anthony, and four grandchildren, Rebecca, Gregory, Catherine, and Caroline.

Phyllis Della Vecchia
President, Camden County College

President of Camden County College since 1993, Dr. Phyllis Della Vecchia leads New Jersey’s largest community college, which she has effectively positioned as a creative entrepreneurial institution that is responsive to the education, workforce, and economic development needs of the County and region.

Dr. Della Vecchia has a PhD and an MA degree from the University of Pennsylvania, an MA degree from Catholic University of America, and a BA from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.

Throughout her career, she has had articles published in a variety of educational journals, led Middle States evaluation teams, and served on a variety of boards including the Governor’s Education Cabinet, New Jersey’s Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, the Camden County Workforce Investment Board, the United Way of Camden County, the Greater Camden Partnership, and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. Her leadership has been acknowledged with numerous accolades, including most recently a 2005 Girl Scouts of Camden County Woman of Achievement Award, the 2004 Camden County American Red Cross Good Neighbor Award, and the 2004 Order of the Sons of Italy, Grand Lodge of New Jersey Christopher Columbus Day Award.

Tony Grande
Owner and chef of Il Capriccio, an Italian restaurant in Whippany, NJ.

Trained at ENALC (Ente Nazionale Alddestramento Lavoratori Commercio), a renowned culinary school in Italy, Tony Grande began his illustrious career working at several prestigious hotels in Italy and on grand ocean liners including the Oceanic and Homeric, as well as the Princess Cruises.

In 1976, when Tony landed on the shores of America, he opened the Bel'vedere in Clifton which became so popular that parking became a real problem. Out of this problem came the birth of Il Capriccio, which, Tony now states, was really a whim for him. He built his capriccio on the site of a former town bar known as the Full House. At Il Capriccio, the "full house" soon was a reality.

The art of serving fine Italian food is a passion that Tony endeavors to share with the people he meets which extends beyond his wizardry at Il Capriccio. He plans to offer his clients excursions to Italy similar to the ones in which he participates with GRI (Gruppo Ristoratori Italiani). This organization, as well as the Italian group OPRI, travels the length and breadth of Italy to research menus so as to constantly be in a position to offer the "best of all possible worlds" to the American dining public.

Franco Minervini
Sculptor

The work of sculptor and stone carver Franco Minervini can be seen on some of our country’s most famous landmarks.

Born and raised in the Adriatic seaport town of Molfetta, Italy, Franco Minervini grew up among stone carvers. In 1958, Franco immigrated to Hoboken, NJ. And while he continued to paint and sculpt for his own enjoyment, it was not until 1980 that he took up carving again. That year, he began studying under sculptor Bruno Lucchesi at the New School in New York.

In 1984, Franco drew inspiration from the award-winning documentary The Stone Carvers. Around this time, Franco embarked on a career-making experience. He was hired to work on the ornamental stone figures of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Working alongside Maryland’s master carver, Vincent Palumbo, Franco and six others carved rosettes, gargoyles, angels and other ornamental figures. After the completion of the Cathedral, Franco was hired by Vincent Palumbo to work on another monumental project – restoration carving at the White House.

Franco’s exceptional talents in sculpting and carving have kept him in high demand. His upcoming projects include the National Police Defense Fund September 11 Memorial and the Monmouth County September 11 Memorial at Mt. Mitchell.

Angelica Santomauro
Director, Botto House

Angelica Santomauro, a descendant of Italian immigrants, was born and raised in Jersey City, NJ. A former teacher in the Jersey City Public Schools, and adjunct professor at New Jersey City and Rutgers Universities, Dr. Santomauro now serves as the Executive Director of the American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark, where she has been since 1992. During her administration, the museum has been recognized as a learning center, registered with the New Jersey Department of Education. The museum’s educational and cultural programs are dedicated to the history and contemporary issues of working people and immigrants.

To promote the study of labor and immigrant studies, Dr. Santomauro has written articles that were published in the National Italian American Foundation’s Ambassador Magazine, Amnesty International, The New York Times, and other union and educational publications. She is on the board of the Advocates for New Jersey, a member of the New Jersey Education Association and an alumna of Leadership New Jersey. Serving on many boards and committees throughout the state, Dr. Santomauro’s causes range from preserving historic sites to fighting for safety and justice in the workplace.

To recognize her contributions, Dr. Santomauro has been the recipient of awards from WWOR A+ For Kids Teachers Network, United Auto Workers, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the New Jersey Industrial Union Council, The International Institute of New Jersey Immigrants, The Giblin Association for Community Service, and The Puffin Foundation. Angelica is most proud of and grateful for her role as the mother of her loving son, Bill.