Township of Nutley Commissioner and Department of Public Safety Director Alphonse Petracco was named the 2024 Italian American Business Leader by the Federation of Italian-American Societies of New Jersey last weekend.

The Federation, which was founded in 1933 to assist and improve the quality of life of the Italians who came to America from Europe to become a lasting part of American Society, held their event at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover on April 13. 

Commissioner Petracco was honored in recognition of his support, commitment, and dedication to promoting Italian-American Heritage culture and traditions through his active involvement and generosity within the Italian-American Community.

“It was very humbling for me to get this award,” Petracco says, “especially in the company of some of the other recipients, like [NJ Assemblyman] Ralph Caputo. During the pandemic I got together with the Italian Police Society and we went to hospitals, handed out food to the nurses, doctors and things like that. It’s all about paying it forward. You never do things like that to be recognized. You do it because you love your community. To receive something like this award is just amazing. I am very, very honored.“