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Please join us on Tuesday evening, JUNE 8th, when our special guest speaker will be:
Robert J. Barbera
Curriculum Vitae
Born in New York City, Robert, along with his older brother, Henry, were raised by their Sicilian born parents, John Salvatore and Rosalina Barbera. The family moved to California in 1955.
Robert attended the following colleges: Columbia, Queens, Charlotte, Chaffey, Los Angeles City, and graduated from California State University, Los Angeles (CSUCLA) with a Bachelor of Science.
In his last year at CSULA he was a Reader for the Accounting Department, a responsibility given to students at the top ten percent of the accounting department. He also was the University's election commissioner while serving on the Student Body. While at CSULA Robert held the position of Treasurer for Alpha Kappa and was given a one year scholarship at CSULA.
Robert acquired a teaching credential, insurance and real estate license. He also studied for a Masters Degree in Public Administration.
After graduation he worked nine years as an Auditor for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and was given three awards from the IRS Commissioner. Later he worked for five years at the Department of Corporation as Financial Examiner. After leaving government service he was controller and financial advisor to several companies. Subsequently he set up his own real estate investment company.
While his three children were growing up he served as Head Coach for Little League, was a YMCA Indian Guide Counselor and taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine at Holy Family Church for five years.
As a member of the Italian Catholic Federation, Robert served as Trustee, Secretary, Financial Secretary, Vice President, and President at the branch level. Beyond the branch level he served as Central Council Branch Deputy, and at the District level he served as Financial Secretary, Apostolic Chairman, Membership Chairman, Reconciliation Chairman, Seminary Chairman and started the Filippo Fordellone Seminary Fund committee.
As founder of Columbus Explorers he served as Vice President. He led the drive in raising funds for the publication "Christopher Columbus, His Life and Discoveries" by Mario De Givoanni. Subsequently a scholarship was established from the funds he raised and the books he sold for CSULB students.
For Federated Italo/Americans of Southern California he served two years in each office as Treasurer, Vice President and as President. On his watch the group held the largest banquets in the history of the organization. He developed a mailing list from several hundred to over six thousand that was used for a Federated Newsletter that he developed.
Robert was one of the founders of International Life Service, a pro-life group. He served on the board for five years and was president for three years. During this period thirteen counseling offices were established. After leaving this group the received The Nemecek Award.
He was one of the founding members of Volunteers For Life, another pro-life group which encouraging college graduates to dedicate one or two years in the pro-life movement. He served on the board and subsequently serves as president.
He was mayor of the Italian Village of Pasadena and the president of the International Village of Pasadena. He also served as Vice President and President of the Italian Village in Torrance.
He was a member of Arbas Sicula and received the Conca d'Oro Award.
As Co-founder and Executive Secretary of Columbus 500 Congress the group financed and built a full size statue of Christopher Columbus that resides on the Pepperdine campus in Malibu.
During the reconstruction of the Statue of Liberty in New York City he was founder and co-chair of the Statue of Liberty fund raising committee in the West. This Italian American ethnic group raised the largest contribution in the United States.
As a member of Unico National he served as Historian, Secretary, Vice President and President at the branch level. And he served as Banquet Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and District Governor on the District level. And on the National level he served on the Foundation and Board of Directors as National Chairman of the Scholarship Committee and as Western Regional Director. Through Unico he produced a sixty second Cameo on Christopher Columbus. He was awarded the Cianci Award.
He was fundraising chairman for the Italian Chair for the University of Long Beach. During his presidency two thirds of the funds needed for the chair was raised. He was a member of President's Associates of the same college.
He is a Life-Time Associate and Board of Director member of Pepperdine University. He also served as the chairman for the fundraising for the Pepperdine Campus in Florence Italy and started the scholarship fund for students to travel to Italy. In his wife's name, Bernice, sponsored the chapel at the Florence Campus. He founded the Italian major at the University.
Robert is a board member of the Fine Arts Council of Pasadena. He served as yearbook chairman, vice president and president. During his term of presidency for three years he established the Operating Endowment fund for artists.
As a board member of the Patrons of Italian Culture he served as treasurer and a board member. This group provides Italian cultural programs.
For the board of American Education League, which is a national group, he served as Treasurer, President, and Board Chairman. This group holds essay contests for college students to compete on current events topics. AEL also provides videos for grade schools and supplies editorial material for newspapers around the country.
Robert is a board member of the Italian American Scholarship Club of Pasadena and he served in several capacities including president. This group encourages the study of Italian language and culture. The group provides funds for exchange students and scholarships
As the founding member of Fondazione Italia Robert served as treasurer and president. This organization runs Italian studies classes at the Italian Cultural Institute and provides funds for teaching Italian classes in Southern California. Subsequently he established Lingua Viva and serves as president.
At the Italian Cultural Institute Robert was a major developer of the Rosalina theater and the Italian cooking facilities for cooking classes. He was awarded the title Commendatore by the Italian government.
For California State University Northridge, Robert promoted a program for student fellowships so that students take an Italian minor, earn a teaching credential, to develop a career in teaching Italian studies. He also established two scholarship programs.
Robert is or has been on the board of the Italian Heritage and Culture Foundation and St. Francis Hospital.
He was appointed by California Governor Wilson to be on the Italian Task Force. For this group he served as banquet Co-chairman and he had a text book published entitled "Fulfilling the Promise of California". He is now planning to publish a second book on important Italian/Americans in the West.
Robert is publisher of L'Italo Americano and loves to contribute articles to the and raise funds to maintain the financial stability of the paper.
He is a member of the Republican Club, the Los Angeles County Museum, Huntington Library and World Affairs Council.
At the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the family sponsors the Christmas Nativity. At the City of Hope Robert co-chaired the installation of John Paul II statue. At the Thomas Aquinas College, Robert sponsored the gardens and fountain next to the Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel.
He was married to Bernice since 1956 until her passing in 2001. Without her constant support the life he led would not have been possible. They have three children who now run their investment business, and seven grandchildren. Robert remarried Josephine Volpe Chase in 2003. They look forward to an enjoyable future.
ADMISSION: $10 PER PERSON, INCLUDES DINNER
TUESDAY, JUNE 8th at 6:30 P.M.
LOCATION: CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL (CORNER OF MELROSE AND VINE)
RETURNING GUESTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO JOIN AS MEMBERS
Reservations are a MUST at ldesiante@gmail.com
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ADMISSION:
$10 PER PERSON, INCLUDES DINNER
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TUESDAY, MAY 12th at 6:30 P.M.
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LOCATION:
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL (CORNER OF MELROSE AND VINE)
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RETURNING
GUESTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO JOIN AS MEMBERS
RESERVATIONS ARE A MUST at ldesiante@gmail.com
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