A bad example

Letter to the Editor, Crain's Chicago Business, June 24, 2008

How sad that John DeNardo, an accomplished CEO of a major corporation (University of Illinois Medical Center), feels compelled to mention Mario Puzo's novel "The Godfather" as a prototype for business success (Info junkie, May 12).

If Mr. DeNardo is starved for real-life role models, he should read two much better books: "Iacocca: An Autobiography," about former Chrysler Chairman Lee Iacocca, and "A. P. Giannini" by Felice A. Bonnadio, about the San Francisco entrepreneur who founded Bank of America.

Neither of these American businessmen with Italian surnames had anything to do with gangsters, fictional or otherwise. Instead, through perseverance, creativity and a work ethic that surpassed understanding, Messrs. Iacocca and Giannini helped transform America into an international world power.

Bill Dal Cerro
National President
Italic Institute of America Chicago