MILFORD COLUMBUS COMMITTEE
MILFORD COLUMBUS COMMITTEE
ABOUT
The Milford Columbus Committee was formed in 1991 by
Mike Petrucelli and Sam Bergami, Jr. to celebrate
the five hundredth anniversary of Christopher Columbus'
voyage to the new World.
In its first year of inception, the club membership was
comprised of 12 successful individuals of Italian heritage,
coming from diverse professions, but who also shared
the common vision of giving back to the community.
They began by raising funds in order to provide
scholarships to deserving, hard working students in need of assistance.
Recognizing the importance of education in their own upbringing and success, the Committee members continue to devote themselves to fund-raising activities, awarding scholarships to deserving High School graduates who reside in Milford. To the present, there have been 50 students who have been honored.
Buddy Prete
President
Buddy Prete is a lifelong Milford resident and owner of Ultimate Interiors Inc. located in Downtown Milford since 1992. Having grown up in the flooring business with his father Frank, Buddy continued in the business after graduating in 1993 from Fairfield University with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. In 2012, Buddy received the United Way “Spirit of Milford” Award and was named one of Connecticut Magazine’s “40 under 40”.
Buddy and his wife Christina have been married for 18 years. They have two children.
Mike Petrucelli
Co-founder / Past-President
Mike Petrucelli was the past owner and operator of the Town Squire, Ltd. Men's Shop of Milford, CT. He was an active member of the Milford community. His many achievements included being a co-founder and past president of the Milford Columbus Committee. He was also one of the founders of the Community Chest, which later became the United Way.
He was a long standing volunteer at Milford Hospital.
Mike Petrucelli passed away on September 2, 2019 after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. He will be missed.
Sam Bergami
Co-founder / Past President
Sam Bergami began his career at Alinabal Inc. in 1966 as a Tool and Die apprentice. Over the years he has held many positions. He is now the President, CEO, COB, and co-owner of Alinabal Holdings Corporation which employs 325 people. Over the past 40 years, Mr. Bergami has been involved in numerous community organizations and activities. His involvement has been recognized by the many awards he has received over the years. He continues to serve on many boards in the area. Mr. Bergami and his wife Lois reside in Milford. They have three children and seven grandchildren.
Vincent J. Averaimo
Vice-President
Vincent J. Averaimo is partner of the Law Firm of Kapusta, Otzel & Averaimo in Milford and has been actively practicing law since 2001. He is licensed to practice in the Connecticut Superior Court, Federal District Courts of Connecticut, Federal Bankruptcy Courts of Connecticut and the State Appellate and Supreme Courts.
In 2005, Vinny was awarded the New Haven Business Times “Forty Under 40” Award in recognition of professional achievement and community involvement. Later, in 2013 Vinny was awarded the “Helping Milford Grow” Award for professional and community contributions to the City of Milford.
Joseph Tramuta
Secretary
Joseph Tramuta was born in Waterbury, Connecticut. He attended Providence College graduating cum laude with a degree in Business Management. Mr. Tramuta then received his Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law. He has practiced law in the State of Connecticut for the past thirty one years. Presently, Mr. Tramuta is the Managing Partner of Minnella, Tramuta and Edwards, LLC. He is the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors for Boys and Girls Village, a non-profit that assists troubled and at risk youths. Mr. Tramuta was formerly the President of New England Stone, LLC and was the Executive Vice-President of a medical device company. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Italian-American Bar Association and is an Incorporator for Milford Hospital. Mr. Tramuta and his family have resided in Milford for the past fourteen years.
David Esposito
Treasurer
David Esposito grew up in Milford and attended Foran High School before finishing undergraduate work at Yale and medical school at Duke. He returned to Milford in 2002 where he opened his own practice in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. He is now the medical director of the Milford Vascular Institute. He is also the head wrestling coach at Foran High school whose teams have won two of the last three state championships! In his spare time he tends to his seven children and one grandchild!!
