The Arizona Italian-American Board of Directors
Executive Board
Pete Melucci
Founder / CEO
Pete Melucci is of full-blooded Italian descent. His great-grandparents came through Ellis Island in the early 1890s. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and moved to the southwest in 1997. His professional life is primarily in the construction and real estate industries. He is currently a Senior leader with a Fortune 500 global Construction and Infrastructure firm. He also operates a small business in the real estate and development space. Aside from his role as Chairman of the Arizona Italian-American Chamber of Commerce, Pete is a Lifetime Member of the Las Vegas Italian Club, The Arizona Ambassador for We the Italians and the Regional Vice President of the Southwest Region with the National Italian American Foundation. His joys are his family, friends, and the desire to galvanize the Italian American community.
Email me: Pete@azitalianchamber.org
Massimo Sommacampagna
President
Massimo was born in Bolzano, Italy and migrated with his parents as a young boy to Arizona. Massimo’s business specialty is encompassed in the infill and urban land development aspect of real estate. He is the founder of a local Phoenix development company that constructs residential town-home properties. Massimo is part of various boards and committees in the valley, volunteering his time for the betterment of the community.
Email me: Massimo@azitalianchamber.org
Dana Drew Shaw
Board Member
Dana Drew Shaw is a proud Italian American whose deep family roots and several years spent living in Italy shaped her enduring connection to Italian culture. During her time in Italy, she played professional basketball and worked with various Italian companies, experiences that strengthened her appreciation for people, traditions, and business community.
Dana currently serves as the Vice President of Government Relations at Grand Canyon University, where she leads the university’s strategic engagement with elected officials, community partners, and policy stakeholders. She earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Toledo College of Law and her professional background spans higher education, law, public service, and athletics. Dana has represented colleges and universities in private practice with Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP and later served as a full-time faculty member at Belmont University. She is also a former elected school board member and has supported numerous individuals and organizations in business strategy, leadership development, and professional growth.
Email me: Dana.DrewShaw@gcu.edu
Lissa Druss
Board Member
For more than 30 years, Lissa Druss has established a powerful reputation as a highly seasoned communications strategist, crisis management leader, and nine-time Emmy award-winning television journalist with a strong reputation for building and advising relationships with federal, state, and local government relations. Since joining the national premier hospitality management company, Riot Hospitality Group (RHG), in 2019, Lissa has led national government relations, industry relations, and external communications in every RHG city. She is the executive director of the company’s foundation, Riot Gives Back and leads the nonprofit organization Scottsdale Downtown Association—a coalition of business owners in the Entertainment District.
In 2018, Lissa received one of the highest honors from the Italian government: induction as a Cavaliere dell’ Ordine della Stella d’Italia, or Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy. Born and raised in Chicago, Lissa earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Arizona.
Email me:lissadruss@riothg.com
Bryan Martinka
Board Member
Bryan Martinka was born and raised in Arizona. He is partially Italian from his Mother’s side of the family. He is energetic and passionate about the Italian culture, which helps make him a valuable member for our Board. He has been in the Financial Services industry for over a decade working with literally hundreds of businesses, families, and medical professionals. In his spare time, he likes to go to the gym, play pickleball, travel, and spend time with his family.
Email me: bryan.x.martinka@westpacwealth.com
Robb Olivieri
Young Professionals Board Leader
Robb Olivieri is a New Jersey native with partial Italian roots on both his paternal and maternal sides. Professionally he is the Associate Director of ASU’s Luminosity Lab, an award winning interdisciplinary R&D Lab. There he primarily focuses on partnerships and strategic projects. Robb also remains involved throughout the city of Phoenix and active in his community. Currently serving as the President of the Melrose Community Alliance, which under his leadership was recognized by the City as the top Community Builder for City Council District 4 in 2024. A passionate Italian American, Robb cares deeply about the culture and community.
Email me: robbolivieri@gmail.com
Mario Licciardi
Chamber Ambassador
Mario has an over 40-year career starting in the real estate sector. He continued to life insurance and then leveraged his skills to become a registered financial planner. He has now returned to his earlier passion for real estate. His career has taken him from California, to Nevada and now to Arizona where he makes his home. He is proudly married to his college sweetheart and has 4 children. He was conceived in Naples, Italy and born in the United States. Mario speaks fluent Italian. His faith and genuine compassion for others have been instrumental to his success.
Email me: supermario54@sbcglobal.net
Advisory Board
Joe Forte
Advisory Board Member
Joe Forte was born and raised in Westchester County, New York, to two Italian immigrant parents who met in Mount Vernon, New York. His father was born in a small town located between Rome and Naples, and his mother was born in a small town outside of the City of Foggia in Puglia. He is the Co-Founder and Producer of a premier video production and AV company based in Phoenix, Arizona. With years of experience leading large-scale video projects and events, Joe oversees all aspects of production, ensuring high-quality and impactful content.
Joe is also the Executive Director and Founder of Keep Tempe Beautiful, a nonprofit focused on the beautification and sustainability of the City of Tempe. Joe serves as a board member of Tempe Sister Cities, the Kiwanis Club of Tempe, and is a Commissioner of the City of Tempe’s Development Review Commission, promoting community engagement and international collaboration. He is currently pursuing an MBA at Arizona State University and aims to leverage his expertise in media, leadership, and community service to bridge communities and amplify shared stories on a global scale.
Dan Mattioli
Advisory Board Member
Dan Mattioli is a second generation Italian-American, New York native and sits on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Italian-American Chamber of Commerce. After his competitive corporate career as a technology executive, he now owns and manages a successful energy company in Arizona. Dan is actively involved with real estate investments and charities in pursuit of his mission to promote the principles of community, compassion, and truth by serving others. His background and passion for Italian culture makes him a valuable member of our Italian-American community.
Danny Marianino
Advisory Board Member
Danny Marianino came to Arizona during the 1990’s. Originally from New Jersey, both his parents are Italian-American. He currently has a position with a large integrated payments company. Previously, he was the owner/operator of his own small business retail furniture store. Danny serves as an Advisory Board Member for the AZ Italian American Chamber of Commerce and a Film Programmer for the Phoenix Film Festival. He is a true “people person” with a passion for our culture. He enjoys music, movies, and television in his spare time.
Al Carfora
Honorary Emeritus Member (Founder/Past President)
Al Carfora was an Italian-American Brooklyn, New York native. After a long and fruitful career in the wholesale food business, he retired in Gilbert, Arizona. His C-suite experience and extensive travels enabled a wealth of knowledge. He was a member of NIAF, OSDIA and various other Italian-American organizations. Al sat on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Italian-American Chamber of Commerce. Al’s love of our culture, affable personality and high level of commitment made him a valuable asset for almost initiative. Al’s passion for the Italian American community is the basis for the Chamber and is a strong pillar that drives the organization forward.
Italian American Young Professionals Committee
Kyla Ferry
Italian American Young Professional Committeewoman
Kyla Ferry was born in Arizona and proudly celebrates her Italian heritage. Her great-grandparents grew up in Bari and Naples, and immigrated to the US in 1883. She earned her degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington, where she also competed on the Division I Women’s Soccer Team. After returning to her hometown of Phoenix, Kyla became a licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, successfully managing over 60 accounts at Risk Program Administrators. Today, she serves as the Account Manager Team Lead, overseeing several major clients across the country. In addition to her career in insurance, Kyla is a licensed residential real estate agent in Arizona. She is deeply passionate about helping others, building lasting relationships, and delivering excellence in every aspect of her work.
Anthony Terranova
Italian American Young Professional Committeeman
Anthony Terranova is an Ohio native with Italian roots on both his paternal and maternal sides. Anthony is a public affairs professional, having served with multiple state agencies and political campaigns, where he supported policy and administrative initiatives that advance public service and community engagement. He previously worked with a public affairs firm during the Arizona Legislative Session, contributing to advocacy on key state issues including water policy, bioscience funding, and infrastructure.
As a former Italian Teaching Assistant and researcher of Italian socio-political culture during university, he is passionate about fostering cross-cultural understanding and strengthening connections between Arizona and Italy through collaboration and exchange.
* No board member of the Arizona Italian American Chamber of Commerce is financially compensated in any manner whatsoever for any of their efforts