Ottavio Ruggieri was born in Sicily, Italy and is fluent in Italian, English, Spanish and German. Ottavio is a graduate of the University of Catania, from which he earned a Masters degree in Political Science and International Economy, and in (1994), Ottavio earned a degree in piano education from the Conservatory of Messina in Italy.Ottavio’s versatile education background served as a natural career entrée into his civic role and responsibilities at the IMES Institute where he specialized in research and development of historic economic trends for the state government of Italy. In 2000, Ottavio began his career in the wine industry as a National Sales Director - Europe of Casa Vitivinicola Tinazzi.In 2003, he reorganized a U.S.-based Wine Import company through well researched and innovative strategic practices that he continues to implement today. Establishing the Wine Import’s place in the wine industry as one of the world’s top leaders is one of Ottavio’s most proud and successful business achievements. - Recipient of the 2009 Platinum Distinguished Service Award by the U.S.-based Italian Trade Commission (ICE).- Honored member of the Caterina de Medici Gastronomic Society. - Cultural liaison for the Consulate of Italy. Senior adviser and planner for all social and cultural events.Today, Ottavio’s position is the Southeastern Division Manager of WinesU and is promoting the prestigious well-known brands worldwide: Cantina Zaccagnini, Nicolas Potel, Paolo Saracco, Ruggeri Prosecco, Varvaglione, Villadoria, Villa Puccini into the US market and a local winery Penns Woods Winery (considered in the wine industry one of the best winery in the East coast of US). The company’s products are widely distributed by the finest and most prominent restaurants and wine distributors located in the United State.. Ruggieri is an admirer of art. He lists among his favorites, Salvador Dalí, and Diego Rivera. When asked about lesser known artists, he is quick to sing the praises of artists like Santo Marino, Antonino Cannata, Cesare Giaccone, Jim Bloom, Doreen Dello Schiavo, Simone Zaccagnini, Franco Summa and Vladimir Prodanovich, Bruno Murialdo. Ruggieri believes in excellence in every sense of the word. He elaborates, “..if someone asks me what excellence means to me, it is best exemplified in the act of doing something simple in an extraordinary way.”