 | The American International Club of Rome c/o Advicorp, via Parigi, 11, 6th floor, 00187 Rome, Italy Tel: 06-4544-7625 Fax: 06-9725-4122 E-mail: aicr@aicrome.org | |
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 | Mission Statement |
| The purpose of the Club is to encourage Americans, Italians, and citizens of other countries to meet in a congenial, relaxed atmosphere and to provide its members an opportunity to enjoy mutual interests and experiences through cultural, educational and social exchanges. The American International Club of Rome is committed to the enrichment of international friendships through participation in and support of activities of a business, social, civil and charitable nature. | |
| Board of Directors 2011/2012 |
| Honorary President: Ambassador David H. Thorne U.S. Ambassador to Italy and to the Republic of San Marino Honorary Vice President: Ambassador Miguel Diaz Ambassador of the United States of America to the Holy See Honorary Vice President: Ambassador Ertharin Cousin Ambassador of the United States of America to the Rome-based U.N. Agencies for Food and Agriculture President: Debra Biagini Debra Biagini was born in Queens, New York. Debra studied Business administration and Psychology at New York University and her first job was with an insurance company in Human Resources. In 1986, she moved to Bermuda and worked as a buyer for the American Naval Exchange. Living in paradise is an experience she'll never forget. She then moved back to NY to work for a retailer as a men's underwear buyer and decided to move to Milan to expand her knowledge of international business. She has worked as a buyer of office stationery products in Rome, which required her to travel periodically to Asia. In 2003, Debra opened DebraFlower, a retail florist that also displays and sells her personal artwork. Through DebraFlower, Debra has the pleasure of combining her skills as an artist, seamstress, and florist to do party planning and unique floral decorating for all occasions. Debra has served as the AICR Secretary for four terms, two terms as Treasurer and this is her first term as President. Vice President: Marco Elser Marco Elser was born in Rome of an American father and Italian mother, then moved to New York City, only to return to Rome about 27 years ago. He received a Degree in Economics from Harvard College in 1981. His professional experience includes being head of international market sales for Kinetix Measurements in New York, first vice president for Merrill Lynch Capital markets in Rome and London, and head of international market and credit institutions sales for Northeast Securities in New York. Marco joined AdviCorp in 2002 where he set up its capital markets for which he is responsible. Marco is the President of the Harvard Club of Italy and his passion in life is polo. He speaks English, Italian, French, and Spanish fluently. Marco has been a member of the AICR Board of Directors since 2004. Treasurer: Carol Markino A resident of Rome for 20 years, Carol, who has a masters degree in International Education, teaches English as a foreign language. She works at Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and the NATO Defense College and has taught courses at AGIP, CSM, La Sapienza and Guardia di Finanza. In addition, she tutors private students, some with whom she has worked for more than a dozen years. For AICR, she created CSI Rome, a community service initiative where members volunteer for projects to make a difference in the Eternal City. CSI gives members a chance to learn of various volunteer opportunities available for them. Under Carol's leadership, AICR members worked in a soup kitchen, brought tidings of good cheer (and gifts) to sick children, did some spring cleaning in a city park, sent greeting cards to American veterans and donated blood. On a personal level, she has a long history of volunteerism and has continued that civic duty in Rome. Originally from Ohio, Carol's maternal and paternal grandparents were from Abruzzo and Calabria. She enjoys visiting those regions as well as discovering new places in her adopted city. She spends her free time reading, keeping in touch with faraway friends via Facebook, and surfing the net. She also likes walking and has done portions of the Cammino di Santiago di Compostela. Carol has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2007 and this is her first term as Treasurer. Secretary: Kathy Araco Kathy was born in the US and grew up in Pennsylvania. Since she was a child, she lived her life moving back and forth between the US and Italy. This triggered the love of foreign languages and cultures in her, and therefore it isn’t a wonder she got a PhD in Foreign Languages and Literature. She is a Translator and an Interpreter and speaks English, Italian, French and some German. Her expertise ranges from the Information Technology Field to Tourism and Travelling, to Literature, History of the Arts, Psychology and Health and Life Improvement Techniques. During the week she works as an IT Analyst & Professional Consultant in Rome for a prominent IT firm and in the weekends as a Life and Motivational Coach specialized in personal growth and self-help techniques for improving and enhancing mind, body & spirit. She gives private sessions and loves to teach these techniques to help and empower others. Occasionally she also teaches IT skills and English. Kathy loves to write, travel, dance, bike, read, listen to music, go to the beach and snorkel. She is passionate about nature and wildlife preservation, especially of the dolphins. Will Beeson Will was born in Boston, Massachusetts and shortly thereafter moved to Kansas City where he grew up. He headed back east for college, studying Economics and English and playing football at Amherst College. After graduation, he moved to New York where he worked for Citigroup. After a stretch in NYC, he embarked for Rome in June 2008 to take a job with AdviCorp PLC as a corporate credit sales trader. In March 2011, he joined Methorios Capital, an Italian investment bank specializing in corporate finance advisory. Will is serving his first year of a two-year term on the Club Board of Directors. L. Chris Curry L. Chris Curry, who calls both Louisiana and Texas home, first came to Italy as an USAF officer in the 1980's to Comiso (RG), Sicily, where he met and married his wife, Corrada Biazzo. They have been living in Italy (this time around) for some ten years. In 2000, while Chris was conducting research at the Vatican Archive for a doctorate, he took the position as Director of Administration and Dean of Students at John Cabot University in Rome. Corrada teaches Italian at the American University of Rome. Among his degrees Chris has a Master’s Degree in History from Louisiana State University, where he worked for several years in administrative positions and taught history, Italian, and religion. During the years Chris has been active in numerous professional and not-for-profit organizations. Chris’s twin daughters, their husbands, and four grandchildren live in the Houston, Texas area. His hobbies include acting, music and photography. Chris was the President of the AICR from 2006/2007 until the 2009/2010 AICR Year, the Vice President for the 2005/2006 year, Treasurer of the Club in 2004/2005. Loretta Dusini Loretta Dusini is a native New Yorker who has been living in Rome for over ten years. She graduated from Queens City University of New York. Loretta’s work experience includes the Italian Chamber of Commerce in New York as Marketing Manager, followed by Trade Analyst at the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Chicago. In 1999, her husband’s job in an International company, brought them to Italy. Loretta then began a new challenge in Rome at the U.S. Embassy to the Vatican as Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Mission followed by Special Assistant to Ambassador Jim Nicholson (also former Secretary for Veterans Affairs). She is currently the Global Employment Advisor for the Strategic Networking Assistance Program at the U.S. Embassy to Italy. Loretta’s native language is English. She also speaks fluent Italian and studied Spanish and French. Her interests include art, literature, history and politics. Loretta loves sports and is an avid kick-boxer. Loretta is fulfilling her first of a two-year term on the Club Board of Directors 2011/2012. Elizabeth Marmol Di Capua Elizabeth was born in Guatemala City to a Spanish father and mother half Spanish, half American. Her grandfather was an American Ambassador and most of his missions where in Latin America. Due to her father’s work in the export business as well as her diplomat grandfather, she traveled extensively very early in life. She was educated in California and later became manager for the Aida Grey Institute of Beverly Hills in the San Diego branch. She later opened her own skin care institute in La Jolla California, which a very enriching experience for a period of 15 years.With the virus for traveling and the curiosity for other cultures, she moved to the French Riviera in1990 after several trips to France. She studied at the faculté des lettres in Nice and wound up living there for 12 years. In 2000, she was offered the opportunity to integrate Darphin, a French cosmetic company, in the international market department, traveling extensively to Korea, Canada, UK, Poland, Mexico, Italy, USA and Spain. She moved to Rome due to her husband’s work at the end of 2009 and is enjoying the fabulous Eternal City. In 2010 she created a web site in Spanish and English for vacation rentals in Italy Her passion in life is learning and new challenges, reading, traveling socializing and meeting new people, the Venice Carnival an event that she participates in every year. Her favorite sports are swimming, horseback-riding and watching a good Polo match. She speaks English, Spanish, French and Italian fluently. Roberto G. Melaragno A North American, Canadian born native who has been living in Rome, Italy for the past 23 years. The CEO and Owner of Driver in Italy! Roberto started his online business in 1994, built solely on his family values, hard work and Roberto’s savvy experience in the business relationship management area. In addition to his current role, Roberto is quite active throughout Rome’s civic arena. He is currently volunteering his time on a multitude of important community and government projects. A true family man, married to Marzia Verdone with two beautiful daughters Carolina & Priscilla. Roberto’s strong network of family and friends are the true meaning of his happiness in life. His greatest passion is for the world of sports, travel and wine tasting. Scotti Rhodes Scotti Rhodes believes she lives in arguably the most beautiful place in the world. She has been able to continue her work for her New York clients since moving to Rome in a very specialized area that is practically indigenous to New York. The mainstay of her business is publicity for actors, playwrights and theatre companies, although she has worked on occasion with international artists over the past 15 plus years since starting this job. Her publicity usually consists of creating a network of industry professional who attend her clients shows, thereby attempting to garner opportunities for them in a highly competitive market. She also does press for the shows she works on, which entails writing press releases that elicit listings and reviews. Marco Rossi Although he grew up in Rome, Marco never lost touch with his American roots. As he was born in New York City, he holds both American and Italian citizenship. He finds his roots continuously in music, arts, and in particular within his "obsession" with the English language, a never-ending study that he has been pursuing for more than thirty years. After graduating in Humanities, Marco attended extension courses at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and then, as he returned to Rome he worked in the cinema business as an editing assistant for 12 years. Little did he know an English-based environment would be knocking on his door again when he attended a linguistics course at the University of Aberdeen Scotland, which enhanced his love for Anglo-Saxon culture even further. Upon returning to Rome he met a group of American friends who introduced him to the AICR where has enjoyed being an active member ever since. He is fluent in English and Italian and has a love for English phonetics specifically. His other interests are Indian and Italian folk music, philosophy, religion, skiing, hiking, meditation and reading. Marco is serving his second year of a two-year term on the Club Board of Directors. Mirella Rugolotto Mirella Rugolotto has created and run her own successful training and development company for over 25 years working in many different countries and with a variety of industries. She also created a highly successful Professional Women's Network in the UK and Panama. She has had many years of practise in organising workshops, seminars, networking evenings and lunches. She is highly motivated, creative and fun! She is a great communicator and speaks, English, Italian, Spanish and French. Mirella is serving his first year of a two-year term on the Club Board of Directors. Nina Farrell, Club Manager & Communications Specialist Nina Farrell grew up not far from Philadelphia, and has been living in Rome for 13 years. She came to Europe for a year after graduating from Penn State University and never left. While living in Rome, Nina founded an English language service, English Made Easy, which provided English lessons and translations and was involved in organizing events. In 2006 she completed a Master's in Communication in Rome and worked as Deputy Secretary General Operations for CUS Roma, organizing world and European sporting championships on a university level. In addition to being the Club Manager, Nina also helps out her husband's family business, Azienda Agricola Massimo Carafa Jacobini, by selling extra-virgin olive oil. Nina is an avid runner and enjoys playing sports. She also loves reading and being near the sea. Argia Bignami, AICR Legal Advisor Argia Bignami is a native of Modena, Italy, where she was graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Modena and of Reggio Emilia, and she has been living and practicing law in Rome since 1998. In additional to Italy, she has studied or worked in the United States, Malta, and Ireland. Her areas of expertise include contract and copyright law, intellectual property issues, debt recovery, the collection of damages, and immigration law. She works as a consultant with a major Italian bank, and also maintains a private practice with her own boutique firm. Argia enjoys traveling, languages, reading, and the theatre. She has been active in the American International Club of Rome since 2006 and took over the role as the organization’s legal advisor starting in 2010. | |
| History |
| The American International Club of Rome was started in 1953 when a group of Americans living in Rome (led by Henry Luce, the husband of the U.S. Ambassador to Italy Clare Boothe Luce) felt there was a need for an organization that would provide opportunities for meeting regularly with other Americans. A luncheon was held at the Grand Hotel ... and the Club was born! Each United States Ambassador to Italy since1954 has served as Honorary President, a practice that continues today. In addition, the United States Ambassador to the Holy See serves as the Club’s Honorary Vice President. Starting a new tradition during our 2009/2010 AICR year, the United States Ambassador to the Rome-based United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture also accepted the role of Honorary Vice President. From the beginning, the AICR has maintained its principal purpose: to be a means for Americans and non-Americans - in the constantly changing international community in Rome - to meet and become acquainted in a congenial atmosphere, and to provide a practical instrument for the furtherance of international friendships. AICR works towards achieving a balance between citizens of the United States and other countries. Our goal is to maintain the membership of American citizens at a little over half in order to foster a Club environment that ensures the fullest social and cultural interaction between the American and International communities in Rome. The Club currently counts about 250 members, with 50% Americans, 30% Italians, and 20% from other countries including Austria, Brazil, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland and Venezuela! In addition, the men and women in the Club are as diverse as the countries they come from, some working in embassies, others writers, singers, lawyers, photographers, teachers, and the list goes on. This mix of mentalities, nationalities, and different types of people makes the Club what it is today. It’s fun and interesting to continuously meet new people and welcome new members. It creates a friendly and stimulating atmosphere that also serves as a home base for many foreigners in Rome and gives our local members the chance to learn about our culture and introduce us to theirs. Every month we hold events to socialize, network, participate in community service efforts and meet new people. The First Fridays Happy Hours are a great way to reconnect each month, and are open to non-members as well, giving them a chance to explore the Club. Other events include speaker evenings, cultural events, evenings with U. S. Ambassadors, holiday celebrations, and more. (See Calendar, Upcoming events) In addition, we strive to foster relationships with like-minded Clubs and American universities in Rome. The AICR has collaborated on events with the American Women’s Association of Rome, the American University of Rome, St. John’s University, the French Union, and many others. The AICR continues to be very active in Community Service and provides opportunities to encourage its members to do so as well. We have established our Community Service Initiative Program and funds have recently been raised for such diverse causes as the World Food Programme, the Italian Union of Major Superiors Counter-Trafficking Office, Retake Rome and the Italian Red Cross. The American International Club is proud of the role it has played in the international community in Rome during the last 58 years. While the driving force behind the Club has been primarily professional people volunteering their time, the overriding theme of Club activity continues to be one of international relations, goodwill and understanding between people and cultures. To become a member, simply fill out an application and submit it to the office or Club Manager for consideration at the next AICR board meeting. Prospective candidates will be reviewed at a monthly board meeting and, if accepted, will be notified by email and warmly welcomed as a new member of the Club. Dues are currently 65 euros for new members, and 40 euro for students, family members and senior citizens. |
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