Getting to know Emilio

What is your family’s history?

When my grandfather was 16, he emigrated from the small Italian island of Ponza to the United States. He arrived a day after the Great Depression began but was able to get into the coal-mining business. After that, he worked in construction and ended up living in the South Bronx, where I was later born.

What was your childhood like?

My childhood was tough. After an accident paralyzed my father, I became the breadwinner and helped work the family business, a grocery store.

Did you go to college?

Yes, I went to Fordham College. But, because my family had little money, I still worked full time to support both my family and myself. Originally, I wanted to study history, but I ended up majoring in economics and business and later worked toward an MBA.

What was your first job after college?

I worked with a consulting firm and then ended up becoming an economist working under the Department of Commerce for the Nixon administration.

What were some of your other jobs?

When Carter was president, I worked for the Customs Service and stayed in Washington DC for eight years before I went into the Foreign Service. When I was in the Foreign Service, I worked in France, Brazil, Mexico, and Spain. During my time in Mexico, I received a Gold Medal for Heroism for assisting in the rescue efforts after a massive earthquake. I later moved to Madrid and worked there for four years before accepting a position as vice president for Lucent Technologies in France, which I held for five years.

How did you become involved with Loyola?

I had just retired from the service when my son-in-law talked to me about an ad he saw in the newspaper. The ad was from Loyola University Chicago looking for a director for their Rome Center. I was teaching and doing some consulting at the time. So, I applied along with many other people, and here I am.