The Foundation
Fondazione Sorrento, located at Villa Fiorentino, actively contributes to the development of cultural activities in the city of Sorrento and the Sorrentine Peninsula. It is committed to enhancing and promoting the rich and unique traditional, historical, artistic, and gastronomic heritage rooted in the region. Thanks to the spaces provided by Villa Fiorentino, the Foundation organizes exhibitions, events, and cultural initiatives that promote the image of Sorrento and the Peninsula both in Italy and internationally.
This organization, established by the local administration, is supported by a passionate team that, embodying the ideals of the Villa’s founders, strives for excellence in tourism and aims to share the beauty of the area with as many people as possible, moving beyond common clichés. Fondazione Sorrento is managed by a board of directors consisting of prestigious individuals who serve as a reference for the region.
PRESIDENT
Gianluigi Aponte
Captain Gianluigi Aponte is the founder and president of the MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. Born in Sorrento, Aponte began his career in the Mediterranean as a passenger ferry captain for his family’s company, after graduating from the Italian Maritime Academy. In 1970, after a break from the maritime industry during which he worked as a banker for several years, he returned to the maritime sector to start his own business, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company. Inspired by his vision that “where the customer goes, MSC goes,” he has since transformed MSC from a one-ship operation into one of the world’s largest container shipping companies, staying true to his family’s core values, focused on employee and customer care. Captain Gianluigi Aponte also maintains a strong connection with his hometown. Since its establishment in 2006, he has served as president of the Fondazione Sorrento.
CEO
MARIO GARGIULO
Mario Gargiulo is a professional with over 20 years of experience in managing sports, tourism, and hospitality facilities, as well as in public administration. His career has allowed him to gain skills ranging from team leadership to event organization and optimizing daily operations. In the administrative field, Mario held key positions at the Municipality of Sorrento, where he served as municipal councilor and assessor with delegations for Sport, Civil Protection, Transparency, Innovation, and Major Events. These roles further refined his management and planning skills at the local level, giving him a solid strategic and operational vision. Since October 2024, Mario Gargiulo has been the new CEO of the Fondazione Sorrento.
SORRENTO MAYOR
Massimo Coppola
Massimo Coppola has been the Mayor of Sorrento since 2020. He graduated in Law from the University of Naples Federico II in 2003 and has been practicing law since 2010. In the same year, he ran for the City Council for the first time and was elected. In July 2014, he was appointed as the councilor for youth policies, craftsmanship, and commerce. In 2015, Massimo Coppola was re-elected as a councilor, becoming the highest-voted candidate in the election. He was then appointed again as councilor with responsibilities for youth policies, public green spaces, commerce, craftsmanship, territorial marketing, mobility, and civil protection. In 2019, he decided to step down from his role as councilor, and the following year, he ran for mayor at the head of a coalition, winning the election.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors is composed of:
Michele Savarese
Vice President
Michele Savarese
Vice President
Aniello Aponte
Adolfo Acampora
Antonino Terminiello
ADVISOR BOARD
The activities of the Foundation are coordinated by the Advisory Board, composed of:
Antonino Giammarino
Antonino Fiorentino
Pietro Monti