Joseph J. LiBassi, the Founder of Victory State Bank, has been named Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere. It was announced Friday, February 20, 2015.

With deep connections to Grymes Hill, where Casa Belvedere is located, as well as a devoted commitment to the Staten Island community in general, Mr. LiBassi is looking forward to his new Chairmanship: "As an American of Italian heritage, I am excited to be a part of the Casa Belvedere Board of Directors. Together with other members of the BOD, we will promote and preserve the richness of the Italian cultural heritage, while also restoring a significant and magnificent National Historic Landmark Building" said Mr. LiBassi.

"The Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere is all about honoring and highlighting people like Joseph J. LiBassi," said Gina Biancardi, Founder and President of the Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere. "There are many widespread and disturbing stereo-types out there about Staten Islanders and about Italian-Americans. Well, Casa Belvedere is here to say: That's not who we are. We are cultured, educated, upwardly mobile individuals who have managed to hold on to the same values and traditions of our parents and grandparents before us: Hard Work, Family, Faith, and Community."

Mr. LiBassi is not new to leadership roles in the not-for-profit sector as former Chairman of the Staten Island Mental Health Society; former Vice Chairman of Snug Harbor and Botanical Garden; former Director of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and member of the College of Staten Island Foundation. Also, Mr. LiBassi's stellar career accomplishments include former Director of Gateway State Bank from its inception in 1977 until its merger in 1995; a self-employed real estate investor; and since 1997, Founder and Chairman of Victory State Bancorp, Inc. and Victory State Bank.

Executive Editor of SI Advance, and Casa Belvedere Board Member, Brian Laline, enthusiastically commented: "I am delighted to be serving with Joe on the Casa Belvedere Board. Joe LiBassi has deep roots in our community and has long been passionate about our cultural institutions and non-profits. I served with Joe on the board of the Staten Island Botanical Garden. His leadership and insight in helping merge the Garden and Snug Harbor Cultural Center were invaluable."

Ms. Biancardi concluded that while it has certainly been a challenging time for a fledgling non-profit organization to take off and not only survive, but thrive and prosper, she believes Mr. LiBassi's leadership, knowledge and expertise -- both in the non-profit and for-profit sectors -- will lead Casa Belvedere in a solid direction of growth and prosperity. "What better representation of the mission and goals of the organization than the only Italian-American to ever found a local bank on Staten Island?" said Ms. Biancardi.

The Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere is dedicated to promoting, preserving, celebrating and highlighting Italian arts and culture to the general public via Italian language classes for all age levels, Italian culture classes, a culinary arts program, photo and art exhibits, film screenings, musical performances, lectures, presentations, book signings and more. Situated on three acres of prime hill-top property overlooking the Verrazano Bridge and New York Harbor, the Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere is poised to become the Premier Italian Arts and Cultural Center in the Metropolitan, Tri-State area.

To learn more about the ICF at Casa Belvedere visit www.casa-belvedere.org. To subscribe to the mailing list and learn more about Casa Belvedere's upcoming cooking, language or other arts and cultural events and programs, call 718-273-7660, e-mail [email protected] or click on to www.casa-belvedere.org.

Source: Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere