MAPEI's chairman of the board Nicholas Di Tempora recently received Italy's highest ranking honor and most senior order of knighthood for his humanitarian and philanthropic activities.

Consul General Rocco (L) presents the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic honor to Nick Di Tempora.


Attending the award presentation are (from left): Luigi Di Geso, president and ceo of MAPEI Americas; Dr. Giorgio Squinzi, owner and ceo of the MAPEI Group; and Nick Di Tempora.

MAPEI’s chairman of the board Nicholas Di Tempora has been awarded the Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana(Order of Merit of the Italian Republic), Italy’s highest ranking honor and most senior order of knighthood, for his humanitarian and philanthropic activities.

Investiture of the Cavalieri (knights) traditionally takes place on June 2, the anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Italy. Because Di Tempora was out of the country on this date, Consul General Marco Rocca (Consulate of Italy in Miami) made the formal presentation to Di Tempora on January 3, 2010. The badge of knighthood bearing the inscriptionAl Merito della Repubblica(for service to the Republic) encircling the national coat of arms was bestowed by decree of the President of the Italian Republic. A copy of the decree was also presented to Di Tempora.

Joining Di Tempora for the presentation was his wife Yolanda, and 40 guests at the Consul General’s residence in Coral Gables. Among the distinguished company were long-time friend and business partner Dr. Giorgio Squinzi, owner and ceo of the MAPEI Group (headquartered in Milan, Italy) and his wife DrSsa Adriana Spazzoli.

At the time of his own investiture into the Cavalieri, Dr. Squinzi praised Di Tempora as a great supporter of his success with MAPEI in the Americas. In 1983, Di Tempora opened the MAPEI Corp. in the U.S. and eventually assumed the role of president and ceo of MAPEI Americas until his retirement in 2007.

“I am deeply appreciative of this honor,” Di Tempora said. “I have been fortunate in business and in life since the early years of my boyhood in Campobasso, Italy. Living in Canada and the United States has presented me with many opportunities for success; and I enjoy being able to give back to others, especially the children, at this time in my life.” Di Tempora serves as General Chairman of fundraising efforts for the Florida Chapter of Boys Towns of Italy.