National Congress Honors The Man
IWOF board member and gala co-chair, Sam Ciccolini (left), gets the thumbs up from fellow board member, Lenny Lombardi (center), after receiving the prestigious Ordine al Merito award. The honor was bestowed to Mr. Ciccolini for his exceptional leadership, community service, and fellowship in the community. Sam is the man behind numerous charitable causes including the Oaklands Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises funds to improve the quality of education and development of impoverished nations, and of which he is the Founder and President. The event attracted some of the most influential Italians in the community, including co-founders of IWOF, Marisa Beaco-Lang and Jimi Bertucci, General Consul of Italy Dr. Gianni Bardini, Senator Consiglio Di Nino, Toronto Mayoral candidates Joe Pantelone and Michael Rossi, and Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, Julian Fantino. Those and many others contributed to making the evening memorable and successful.
Julian Fantino
Appointed Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police on October 30, 2006, Julian Fantino accepted responsibility for one of North America’s largest deployed police services – a police service comprised of approximately 6,000 uniformed members, 2,600 civilian employees and 850 Auxiliary members, who provide services to the province and 314 municipalities.
Previously, Commissioner Fantino was the Commissioner for Emergency Management, and was responsible for providing leadership to all facets of Ontario’s emergency management programs. He has served as Chief of the London Police Service, Chief of the York Regional Police, and Chief of the Toronto Police Service.
Commissioner Fantino started his policing career with the Metropolitan Toronto Police, and served in many areas, including uniform patrol, undercover drug enforcement, Detective Branch, Criminal Intelligence, Homicide Squad and as a Division Commander.
Commissioner Fantino continues to lead a number progressive changes and initiatives to ensure optimum officer and public safety through new or enhanced laws, resources and training. He is one of the most recognized and respected members of the police community.
