Board Members
Fabio GRASSIAPresident
Viano Corporation Pty LtdFabio Grassia founded his first company in 1989, Natcomp Technology Australia Pty Ltd, an importer and distributor of IT hardware and consumer electronic products supplying mass retailers and computer stores throughout Australia and New Zealand. In 2007 following a market demand for good quality yet affordable digital TVs for the modern household, Grassia created the consumer brand Viano. Grassia expanded investments in China by opening an office in Shenzhen with a joint venture in manufacturing flat panel digital televisions. The factory is now manufacturing televisions for the Australian and New Zealand markets under the Viano brand and OEM. In 2014, the company commenced with new markets in the Middle East, Europe and South America.
Grassia previously served on the ICCI board in 1998 and from 1999-2000 he was a Board Member and part of the Social Committee. From 2001-2003 he served as Vice-President on the board, whilst also a member of the Constitutional Committee. In 2019 he was named as President of the Chamber.
Vittorio TARCHIVittorio Tarchi founded VISA Global Logistics (VGL) over 30 years ago and today it is the leading privately owned freight forwarding company in Australia, as well as the market leader in the Italy to Australia trade lane, with a portfolio of blue-chip Italian companies, as well as global. Vittorio Tarchi is the Founding Director of VGL and in his nomination brings with him a wealth of quality experience to the board of the Italian Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Vittorio Tarchi provides the Chamber with invaluable Italian and Australian networking opportunities and corporate expertise. Through his actions, strategies and dedication he has constantly demonstrated that he has all the hallmarks of a business leader and Italian community advocate.
Sam PANUCCITreasurer
Personal Finance Services Pty LtdSam Panucci is currently Director of Personal Finance Services, a company he established in 1985. He has over 35 years in the finance industry. With his vast knowledge and experience he has assisted many small to medium businesses and individuals with procuring loans. Sam has previously served as a Board Member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 2001 to 2005. Sam has an interest in golf and is currently a Board Member of the Italian Golf Association-Sydney.
Javier BlancoEnel Green PowerJavier Blanco Fernández is the Country Manager for Enel Green Power Australia. Mr. Blanco is an executive with 18 years experience in the energy sector. He has held different roles within the Enel Group that allows him to have a deep cross-functional knowledge of the energy market: Key Account Manager, M&A Associate, Head of Business Development for Colombia, CFO for Empresa de Energía de Cundinamarca, Head of Project Development and Energy Planning for Colombia, Head of Origination and Structuring for Spanish Wholesale Markets and Head of Strategic Products and Services for Spain.
Mr Blanco holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Universidad de Zaragoza, a degree in Business Administration from the UNED and an MBA (with special honours) from the Chicago Booth School of Business. He is also currently completing a degree in Philosophy from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
Claudio CAFORIOIntesa San PaoloClaudio Caforio is an experienced and skillful Senior Manager at Intesa San Paolo, who joined the bank’s Australian Representative Office in 2015. For the last four years he has been responsible for developing business relationships with Italian and International clients operating in Australia, as well as liaising with Australian financial institutions and regulators in the daily operations of the bank. Prior to this role, he worked as project manager for the foreign subsidiaries of Intesa San Paolo. Before joining Intesa San Paolo in 2011, Claudio worked as senior consultant in the risk advisory divisions at Protiviti and KPMG.
Claudio’s study background includes a bachelor’s degree in finance at Università Commerciale ‘Luigi Bocconi’ and a master degree in credit risk management at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore.
Kerim El GabailiOnePointKerim El Gabaili is the CEO at OnePoint, where he has driven innovation, digital transformation and culture change. During this period, he has orchestrated several acquisitions across multiple Marketing Channels. OnePoint has won several AMI awards for Marketing Excellence.
Kerim has previously been the Acting President and Vice-President of the Australian Arab Business Council, a Board Member of the Leichardt Chamber of Commerce, a past board member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce from 1998 to 2001, and part of the transition team for the WSITC which was a government organisation that transferred to a privately run organisation.
Kerim’s extensive experience and dedication to the Italian culture is fundamental in supporting the Chamber’s continued growth.
Remo NOGAROTTOC|T GroupRemo Nogarotto is an experienced Managing Director with a proven history of working in complex commercial and regulatory environments at CT International. In particular, Remo excels in the business to government transactional space. Furthermore, his knowledge of cross border investment, policy analysis, government, strategic planning and media relations is instrumental for the Chamber’s activities.
Remo is a graduate from the University of Sydney with a bachelor’s degree in Economics.
Sarina RoppoloKardos Scanlan Corporate LawyersSarina Roppolo is a partner at Kardos Scanlan Corporate Lawyers. After being admitted as a solicitor in 1996, she joined Kemp Strang Lawyers later that same year and was appointed partner in 2001. Sarina has worked as a senior corporate lawyer in the insolvency division of ANZ bank from 1997 to 2001 at the same time as working at Kemp Strang. In 2018 Sarina joined Kardos Scanlan as a partner and has been recognised as a Best Lawyer in Australia for Insolvency and Reconstruction by Australian Financial Review for the years 2019 and 2020, featured in the 2018 edition of the Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, and also featured in the IFLR1000 Guide to Leading Financial Law Firms. Sarina is currently a Board Member of Asset Resolution Limited.
Sarina is striving to promote Italian culture in Australia and is passionate about strengthening the commercial links between the two countries.- Terry RyanIlly Coffee Australia
Alex SonciniWealthwizAlex Soncini is an Engineer and Business Consultant with an entrepreneurial approach to business and management. With over 30 years of experience in a variety of industries and operating in Small to Medium Enterprise focusing on Leadership and Professionalism to improve business leader’s acumen.
Having successfully establishing several successful businesses, a Structural Engineering and Development Consultancy, a Fashion label, clothing manufacturer and a Financial Services/Business Consultancy Wealthwiz providing comprehensive solutions for finance, project management in property, setting up new businesses and NGO’s from the ground up and identifying and creating opportunities locally and globally.
A founding member and was Vice-President of the Greater Blacktown Business Chamber from 2014 to 2017. Wealthwiz has won Local Business Awards in 2016, 2015 & 2011 being a Finalist in 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and Finalist in 2017 for Australian Small Business Champion Awards. Alex is passionate about the Italian culture and the core values of family, friends and celebration and is board member for the CSI Sport and Recreation Club.