The Philanthropic Efforts of the Sons of Italy Foundation

A financial executive with nearly four decades of experience, Michael (Mike) Vasaturo has served as the vice president and chief financial officer at New Haven Terminal since 2008. Personally, Michael Vasaturo belongs to organizations such as the Sons of Italy.

Established in 1905to serve those of Italian heritage, the Order Sons of Italy in America now has chapters across the nation with hundreds of thousands of members. Through its Sons of Italy Foundation, the society undertakes a diverse range of philanthropic efforts for the preservation of Italian-American culture and to benefit those of Italian descent. 

The Sons of Italy Foundation owns and operates the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum in memory of the Italian revolutionary, Giuseppe Garibaldi. Its general charity fund exists to provide for particular needs as they arrive. Every year, the foundation offers college scholarships for Italian-American students through its scholarship competition.

The Sons of Italy Foundation also provides general funding to organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association, Cooley's Anemia Foundation, and the Dough Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.

Knights of Columbus Founder Michael J. McGivney

Michael "Mike" Vasaturo is a graduate of St. John's University in New York and has worked for New Haven Terminal in Connecticut since 1989. Mr. Vasaturo currently serves the company as vice president and CFO. Beyond his work responsibilities, Michael Vasaturo is an active member of the Knights of Columbus.

Out of a growing hostility toward Catholic immigrants and unsafe factory working conditions, Father Michael J. McGivney and a group of elected officers launched the Knights of Columbus in 1882. At the time, Father McGivney was 29 years old and served as an assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. The goal of the Knights of Columbus was to unite Catholic men and provide financial support to families of deceased members while emphasizing church, virtue, and community.

The child of Irish immigrants, Michael McGivney was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, in 1852. He attended school in a working-class neighborhood, but at the age of 13, left to work in a brass factory. 

Three years later, McGivney left the factory and traveled to Quebec with his pastor to prepare for seminary admission at the College of Saint-Hyacinthe. McGivney later attended Niagara University and St. Mary's College. 

Beginning his ministry on December 25, 1877, at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Father McGivney provided pastoral care and service to the community until his untimely death in 1890. McGivney's funeral service is thought to be one of the most attended in the history of Waterbury, Connecticut.

Why Swimming Is Unlike Other Exercises

New Haven, Connecticut-based Michael “Mike” Vasaturo has years of experience in business administration. The former vice president of Logistec USA, Inc., he currently functions as vice president of New Haven Terminal. In his free time, Michael Vasaturo enjoys staying in shape by swimming and running. 

Time Magazine recently released an article about the benefits of swimming in comparison to other forms of exercise. Unlike other activities, swimming submerges the entire body in water, eliminating the stress or limitations that come from working in gravity. This makes swimming an especially good option for athletes who have osteoarthritis or experience other body aches and pains. It is also good for those who cannot handle load-bearing aerobic exercises, such as those trying to lose a great deal of weight. Swimming also can lower blood pressure for those with hypertension and decreases arterial stiffness.

While this may make swimming sound easier, it is not. Water is denser than air, which puts more pressure on the limbs as swimmers force their way through. Also beneficial is the fact that the pressure is uniformly distributed, meaning it doesn’t impact any one part of the body like other exercises can.

Annual HuskyTHON Raises Money for Miracle Network

Financial executive Michael (Mike) Vasaturo serves as the chief financial officer at New Haven Terminal in Connecticut. Michael Vasaturo has been involved in a number of charitable and community organizations, including the Children’s Miracle Network.

Established in 1983, the Children’s Miracle Network has raised over $5 million for its network of 170 hospitals in the United States and Canada. The organization pledges that every donation is applied to local hospitals to fund critical treatments and services for children who are in need.

The Miracle Network Dance Marathon is one of the organization’s most successful drives and has raised $150 million since 1991. Organized entirely by students, Dance Marathons are held in colleges, universities, and high schools across the United States and Canada. Students work together to gather donations and inspire fellow students to make an impact and support a cause that is bigger than themselves.

The University of Connecticut (UConn) holds the HuskyTHON, one of the network’s largest fundraisers every year. The student body joins together in a yearlong initiative that includes events such as the Miracle Walk, ZombieTHON, and ZumbaTHON. The largest event of the year is the Dance Marathon, where students join together for an 18-hour dancing extravaganza. Proceeds from HuskyTHON are given to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

Ernst and Young Emerging Leaders Program

Prior to becoming the vice president of New Haven Terminal Inc., Michael Vasaturo attended St. John’s University in Queens, New York, where he received a BS degree in Accounting. Michael “Mike” Vasaturo also became a Certified Public Accountant in 1983 while working for Ernst and Young, CPA.

For students who are interested in careers with Ernst and Young, the company offers internships and training programs. The firm also features the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), a unique interactive learning experience that allows potential employees to view the many opportunities available to them with Ernst and Young while they are still students.

The Emerging Leaders Program is available in several locations across the country to second and third year college accounting, business, or IT students who have maintained high academic credentials and have demonstrated teamwork, organizational, and analytical skills. Students are able to apply for the program at their school’s career services center.

Derek Jeter - Baseball Lessons That Translate to the Business World

Michael (Mike) Vasaturo serves as vice president with New Haven Terminal, Inc., and is responsible for diverse aspects of operations, from insurance to finances. A longtime New York Yankees fan, Michael Vasaturo was inspired by the career of perennial All-Star Derek Jeter, who retired at the end of the 2014 season.

An Entrepreneur magazine article at that time of his retirement examined how Jeter’s on-field accomplishments translated to the business world. With Jeter considering Yankee Stadium as his office, one key lesson was to “love what you do.” If you are not really into what you do and make a half-hearted attempt, the end result will not reflect your full potential.

Jeter was also a standard bearer of the philosophy that hard work pays off and there are no shortcuts when it comes to success. He was in uniform day-in and day-out, honing different aspects of his game so that they would come naturally when crunch time arrived.

Another aspect of Jeter’s performance that applies to the business sphere is the importance of surrounding yourself with good people. Baseball is the ultimate team sport and in his role as a leader, Jeter was called on to create a harmonious environment that was supportive and conducive to everyone’s shared success.