Russ Romano, Italian-American of the Year, to be honored tonight at Batavia Downs

Press release:

Russ Romano has a long and impressive list accomplishments on his resume and he'll add another one Saturday night (Nov. 9) when Batavia Downs honors him as the "Italian-American" for 2013.

Romano will join past award winners including Joe Gerace, Chuck Zambito, Ray Cianfrini, Joe Teresi and Charles Ruffino. He'll be honored in the winner's circle after the seventh race tonight.

To say Romano his a diverse resume would be an understatement.

His athletic career included being a professional steer wrestler in the International Rodeo Association of Pauls Valley, Okla. He was a linebacker for the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and also coached at Brockport State and Rochester Institute of Technology. Romano was also inducted Section 5 Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

Currently a realtor for Nothnagle in Batavia, Romano has held many titles in a vast array of organizations. He was the president of the Genesee Community College Foundation, president of the Genesee County Board of Realtors, director of the Greater Buffalo Realtors Association, director of the New York State Association of Realtors and the regional vice-president of the New York State Association of Realtors.

Romano also has served as past president of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, district chairman for the "Genishua District" of the Boy Scouts of America and the president of the Genesee Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Association.

As a volunteer, Romano's work includes being the chairman for the Genesee Cancer Assistance Program where he also coordinated the Annual Festival of Hope and Annual Golf Tournament. He also is the recipient of the "Teddy Award" for his work with Camp Good Days and Special Times.

Besides being an author of many professional and educational tools for the real estate industry, Romano is also on the list of "Who's Who in the Professional of Speakers" where he has given numerous workshops and seminars throughout the country since 1983.

Romano is married to his wife, Gillian, and they have two children, David and Stephanie. They are also grandparents to nine and great-grandparents to one.