February 12, 2018 – Four new members representing a diverse cross-section of age, professional experience and backgrounds, were recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Tramuto Foundation, a non-profit that for the past 17 years has provided college scholarships and grants to non-profit organizations whose mission focuses on improving the lives of others.

Founded by Donato Tramuto as a tribute to two friends and their young son who perished on Sept. 11, 2001 when the plane they were traveling on, United Flight 175, hit the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Tramuto Foundation annually awards four $20,000 college scholarships to two graduating seniors at Bangor High School and Wells-Ogunquit High School who have overcome adversity in their lives. In addition, the Foundation has awarded tens of thousands of dollars in grants to non-profit organizations in Maine, the United States and throughout the world.

“The Tramuto Foundation is now in its 17th year of operation and quite simply, we are busier than ever as we execute our plans for 2018 and beyond,” said founder and Chairman Donato Tramuto. “These new board members are all accomplished professionals who share a strong desire to do something meaningful for those less fortunate. I am so grateful that they have agreed to be active participants in all we are doing now and in the future.”

One of the new Board members, Samuel ‘Sam’ LaPointe, was an early recipient of a Tramuto Foundation college scholarship. Now based in Nashville, TN, Sam graduated from Wells-Ogunquit High School and went on to become a scholar-athlete at Babson College in Wellesley, MA where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. A three-event record holder while a member of the Babson varsity outdoor track and field team, Sam was part of a management consulting team of five undergraduates who analyzed data and research and presented final recommendations to Boston Red Sox management to improve the overall fan experience at Fenway Park’s premium seating section.

“When I was honored with the Tramuto Foundation scholarship in 2013, I was very grateful to Donato, but at that point, I had no idea that he would become such an important mentor in my life,” LaPointe explained. “Throughout college and now as I begin my professional career, Donato has continued to be a trusted friend and a knowledgeable advisor. I am grateful for the role he has played in my life and honored that I am able to pay it forward and help others who could benefit from this important organization.”

In addition to LaPointe, the other new members of the Tramuto Foundation Board of Directors include Mary Bentley of Libertyville, IL, Justin Niebel of Orlando, FL, and William ‘Bill’ Viszt of Tierra Verde, FL.

Bentley is currently the Senior Manager of Executive Services at Baxter Credit Union based in Vernon Hills, IL, where she has expanded her expertise in relationship management and customer service over the past 25 years.   Bentley has volunteered for several non-profit organizations, including Misericordia in Chicago, which serves persons with special needs.

Niebel is a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY where he served as Class President and was a Presidential Scholarship recipient. In 2013 he received an Executive Management Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Rochester and is currently the head coach of the men’s ice hockey coach. He is a Senior Enterprise Executive for Charter Communications in Central Florida.

In 2008, Viszt joined Allstate Benefits as its Regional Director, where he leads the nation with a team of 10 consultants working with over 2000 benefit brokers/consultants serving Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Bill has served on the boards of both business and charitable organizations including the Leukemia Lymphoma Society of Florida.