RON SALERNO - FERRARELLE USA
Ron Salerno’s career path to the specialty food business was a circuitous one. After successfully selling his technology business in 2000, Ron took some time to see what he would do next. Truly passionate about his Italian heritage and Italian food, he decided to pursue a job in the Italian food importing and distribution business which would lead him to Roma Foods. With his resume pasted on a bottle of his homemade wine, Ron reached out to founder Luigi Piancone and mailed off his credentials. As soon as Mr. Piancone received the wine / resume, he called Ron who in quick succession became the Sales & Marketing Director for Roma Foods. In 2005 Mr. Piancone sold Roma Foods to Vistar merging the two companies into their existing food service operation. The new company, called Roma Foods, was now worth roughly $3 billion with 28 operating companies around the U.S. With an MBA in International Business, experience working for a publicly traded company and his familiarity with corporate structure, Ron was invaluable in helping to evolve the Roma ‘family style’ of business into a formal, more traditional corporate business model. Vistar/Roma Foods was eventually purchased by Blackstone Capital and then acquired the Performance Food Group creating what is now the third largest food service company in the world. After the merger, Ron left Roma and started Salerno Imports. The company imported Brava-Italia energy drinks; Izzi brand Limoncello, Sambuca & Amaros and VerdeOro olive oil. In 2009, Ron was named Director of Ferrarelle USA (www.ferrarelleusa.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of the number one brand of mineral water in Italy. Ferrarelle USA is responsible for importing, distributing and building the Ferrarelle brand in America. To date, Ron has built a thriving organization and established a national distribution infrastructure with two dedicated product distribution centers. The Ferrarelle brand is sold in restaurants around the U.S., leading supermarket chains and in many specialty retailers. Volume has already reached into the hundreds of containers per year and has been growing at a rapid rate. Ron has excelled in combining his American business education and experience with his passion for Italian food and heritage to transform an old-world style business model for the US market. Ron has found professional and personal satisfaction working with Italian companies and continues to expand his portfolio with Ferrarelle , a career path his grandfather, who emigrated from Avellino, would definitely have been very proud he chose.
JUSTIN SILVER - “DOGS IN THE CITY"
In Manhattan, Justin Silver is known as the “go-to guy” for all things dog-related. He has acreative and instinctive ability to connect with his canine customers while solving dilemmas for their two-legged masters. In each episode, he meets with clients who present a range of relationship problems, lifestyle changes or domestic issues – from a couple looking to move in together, but she’s terrified of his golden retriever, to a recently divorced couple whose dog is having a rough time adjusting to joint custody. Justin gets as imaginative as necessary to reach a satisfying resolution, often finding that the owners can be a special breed themselves. “Dogs are at the center of the story here, but this is a show that reveals as much about human nature as man’s best friend,” said Executive Producer Carol Mendelsohn. “Dogs are often a lightning rod for their owners’ emotions and dysfunction at home. Justin has an amazing gift to break down these complex issues with incredible heart, humor and, sometimes, much-needed candor.” Justin Silver has been taking care of dogs and their owners for more than a decade. A dog trainer, behaviorist and owner of a pet care company, Silver is also a comedian and founder of Funny for Fido, a nonprofit that raises money for homeless animals by producing a yearly stand-up comedy event. Silver firmly believes that every dog can be trained to be a wonderful companion by working on issues calmly and confidently with both his four- and two-legged clients. The series will premiere Wednesday, May 30 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
CHEF PIERO BIONDI - RECIPES and "SIMPLICITY" IN COOKING
FORMER CRN HOST AND CO-FOUNDER OF "WHAT'S COOKIN" RETURNS TO TALK RECIPES AND "SIMPLICTY" IN COOKING , A FACTOR IN BEING A GREAT CHEF - RECIPES ON WEBSITE