John Cabot University's Board of Trustees Elects New Leadership

President Franco Pavoncello with the new Chair of the JCU Board Salvatore Salibello

President Franco Pavoncello with the new Chair of the JCU Board of Trustees Salvatore Salibello

The Board of Trustees of John Cabot University elected new leadership during its recent fall meeting. The new Chair of the JCU Board is Mr. Salvatore Salibello and the two new Vice Chairs are Dr. Portia Prebys and Mr. Frank Desiderio.

A Certified Public Accountant with an MBA from Long Island University, Salvatore Salibello co-founded his own firm, Salibello & Broder, after working with companies including PWC and Ernst & Young. He has been on a number of non-profit boards, such as the American Society of Italian Legions of Merit and the Columbus Citizens Foundation, and served as vice chairman, executive vice president, and treasurer at the National Italian American Foundation. A member of JCU’s Board of Trustees since 2012, Chair Salibello holds the Italian Republic’s ranks of Cavaliere (1990) and Commendatore (2010).

Portia Prebys

Portia Prebys

Dr. Portia Anne Prebys is the President of the Association of American Colleges and University Programs in Italy (AACUPI) and former Director of the Rome Program of Saint Mary’s College. Vice Chair Prebys has been a resident of Italy since 1966, when she was granted a Fulbright Fellowship to study Renaissance history, and currently resides in Rome. She has published widely in English and Italian. In 2010 the President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano awarded Dr. Prebys the title of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic for meritorious service to the nation of Italy and in recognition of her contribution to international education. Dr. Prebys has served as a Trustee since 1996 and is also the Chair of the Board’s Academics Affairs Committee.

Frank J. Desiderio is a founding partner of a private legal practice and also served as a trial attorney in the Customs Sections of the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, where he represented the U.S. Customs Bureau (now Customs and Border Protection) in proceedings before the Court of International Trade. He earned his J.D. at St. John’s University and has written and lectured widely on customs and trade issues. He also served on the Italy America Chamber of Commerce as tariff and trade advisor, program chairman, and director. Vice Chair Desiderio became a Trustee in 2013 and has served as Chair of the Development Committee since joining the Board.

Frank Desiderio

Frank Desiderio

Chair Frank J. Guarini and Vice Chair William Martini stepped down from their roles of leadership during the meeting, though they remain dedicated members of the Board. The Hon. Guarini was then elected Chair Emeritus of the Board. President Franco Pavoncello honored both Trustees at the recent Presidential Gala, noting, “We are here tonight to honor and thank two great leaders of John Cabot University, who for almost two decades have blessed our University with their wisdom, leadership, and magnanimity, helping JCU to achieve the solid reputation that it has today. John Cabot University is deeply indebted to both Congressman Guarini and Judge Martini and we are certain that they will continue to contribute their experience, generosity, and acumen. We are looking forward to working with Chair Salibello, and Vice Chairs Prebys and Desiderio, and we are confident that under their leadership JCU will reach new heights of excellence in US higher education abroad.”