2018 Guest Speaker
Michael Franzese
Former Mob Underboss of the Colombo Crime Family
Michael Franzese grew up as the son of the notorious Underboss of New York’s violent and feared Colombo crime family. At his most affluent, Michael was generating an estimated $5 to $8 million per week from legal and illegal businesses and in 1986, was named one of the biggest money earners the mob had seen since Al Capone, by Vanity Fair. At the age of 35, Fortune Magazine listed him as number 18 on its list of the “Fifty Most Wealthy and Powerful Mafia Bosses", just 5 behind John Gotti.
All that was to change when Michael met a beautiful dancer from California named Camille Garcia whose beauty and faith would turn his world upside down causing Michael to do the unthinkable – walk away from the mob. Nobody of his rank had ever just walked away – and lived. Until now.
This former “Prince of the Mafia” is now a man on a mission determined to use the compelling experiences of his former life for the benefit of others seeking redemption and forgiveness and continues to bring record attendance to events all over the country.
Former Mob Underboss of the Colombo Crime Family
Michael Franzese grew up as the son of the notorious Underboss of New York’s violent and feared Colombo crime family. At his most affluent, Michael was generating an estimated $5 to $8 million per week from legal and illegal businesses and in 1986, was named one of the biggest money earners the mob had seen since Al Capone, by Vanity Fair. At the age of 35, Fortune Magazine listed him as number 18 on its list of the “Fifty Most Wealthy and Powerful Mafia Bosses", just 5 behind John Gotti.
All that was to change when Michael met a beautiful dancer from California named Camille Garcia whose beauty and faith would turn his world upside down causing Michael to do the unthinkable – walk away from the mob. Nobody of his rank had ever just walked away – and lived. Until now.
This former “Prince of the Mafia” is now a man on a mission determined to use the compelling experiences of his former life for the benefit of others seeking redemption and forgiveness and continues to bring record attendance to events all over the country.
Mayor of Fullerton
Mayor Doug Chaffee
Mayor Doug Chaffee was elected to the Fullerton City Council in June 2012. Prior to joining the Council, he served as Vice Chair of the Fullerton Planning Commission and past president of both the Fullerton United Way and Sunrise Rotary Club.
Active in the Fullerton community, Mayor Chaffee served on the board of the North Orange County YMCA and the Advisory Board of Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Service. He is a member of Friends of Jazz and the Sierra Club and was a past recipient of the Mr. YMCA award.
In addition to his public service, Mayor Chaffee is a Business Attorney, practicing law for more than 40 years in downtown Fullerton.
Mayor Chaffee is a graduate of Fullerton Union High School in 1961 and graduated with a BA in Economics from the University of Redlands in 1965 and a JD from the Northwestern University School of Law in 1968.
He and his bride of 36 years, Paulette, have two grown sons, both raised in Fullerton.
Courtesy City of Fullerton
Mayor Doug Chaffee was elected to the Fullerton City Council in June 2012. Prior to joining the Council, he served as Vice Chair of the Fullerton Planning Commission and past president of both the Fullerton United Way and Sunrise Rotary Club.
Active in the Fullerton community, Mayor Chaffee served on the board of the North Orange County YMCA and the Advisory Board of Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Service. He is a member of Friends of Jazz and the Sierra Club and was a past recipient of the Mr. YMCA award.
In addition to his public service, Mayor Chaffee is a Business Attorney, practicing law for more than 40 years in downtown Fullerton.
Mayor Chaffee is a graduate of Fullerton Union High School in 1961 and graduated with a BA in Economics from the University of Redlands in 1965 and a JD from the Northwestern University School of Law in 1968.
He and his bride of 36 years, Paulette, have two grown sons, both raised in Fullerton.
Courtesy City of Fullerton