Tracy Manforte Sweet

Piantidosi’s Campus Portfolio is Deep and Diversified

It was a work day for Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP chairman and CEO Frank Piantidosi, but it didn’t involve a tailored suit, spreadsheets or sound advice to clients. In fact, sneakers, khaki shorts and parental wisdom were in order on a steamy August weekend, as Piantidosi and his wife Florence moved their son Andrew into Dominic Hall.

Saint Anselm was the second stop on this working weekend for the Darien, Conn., family that logged close to 900 miles in two days. Andrew’s twin Alexandra was starting her sophomore year at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, N.Y.

With daughters Claire a graduate of Boston College and Elizabeth a graduate of Gettysburg, Piantidosi has a good handle on higher education. As a member of the Saint Anselm board of trustees, he’s also proud to have begun a legacy at his alma mater.

“The culture of personal relationships is marked by a commitment to community service,” he says, recalling his days as a member of the Red Key Society, student government and his affi liation with Big Brothers/Big Sisters. “All of this is character building. That culture runs deep at Saint Anselm and is something I am very proud of. It’s more alive on this campus today than on any other campus I have seen.”

One of his strongest and earliest personal connections was Walter Gallo ’57, who worked in college advancement while Piantidosi was a student. “He spotted me and encouraged me in every way.” The two stay in touch today, whether it’s for social events or Saint Anselm business.

He is also grateful to the faculty who guided his professional development, especially business professor Philip Shacklette, who pegged Piantidosi as an accountant and set up a career-defining appointment with a grad school dean at Northeastern University.

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