by InTrieste
In a riveting encounter on Thursday afternoon, Mayor Roberto Dipiazza played host to the United States Ambassador to Italy, Jack Markell, and Consul General Douglass Benning. The entourage also included Vice Consul for Political and Economic Affairs at the U.S. Consulate General in Milan, Martha Johnson, and political adviser Alessia Pastorutti.
The Mayor warmly welcomed the American delegates at the entrance of Piazza Unità d’Italia 4, showcasing a display featuring a fragment of the Twin Towers, a poignant gift from then-U.S. Ambassador to Italy, Melvin Sembler. The delegation was then escorted to the Blue Salon, followed by institutional talks in the Municipal Council Chamber. There, they admired Cesare Dell’Acqua’s masterpiece “La prosperità commerciale di Trieste,” featuring an American-flagged ship.
The meeting underscored the solidified relations with the United States, emphasizing Trieste’s potential in economic, cultural, and tourist development. Mayor Dipiazza shed light on ongoing revitalization efforts in the Porto Vivo area.
Ambassador Markell, boasting an illustrious diplomatic career, expressed keen interest in every aspect presented by the Mayor, probing with precise and in-depth questions.
The customary exchange of gifts followed, with the high diplomat receiving the red-embroidered coat of arms, and the signing of the Golden Book of Distinguished Guests. Ambassador Markell left a hopeful message for Trieste, “Wishing for a bright future of prosperity and well-being together.”
Markell, confirmed as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Italy and the Republic of San Marino on July 27, 2023, had previously served as the Permanent Representative of the United States to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) from 2022 to 2023. His tenure focused on critical issues such as technological governance, sustainable infrastructure, and government engagement at various levels.
Before his diplomatic stint, Markell served as the coordinator of the “Operation Allies Welcome” project at the White House, facilitating the resettlement of eligible Afghan evacuees in the United States. He also served two terms as Governor of Delaware, presiding over significant economic growth, educational improvements, and workforce development projects.
Born in 1960 in Newark, Delaware, Markell is a Brown University graduate with an MBA from the University of Chicago. He and his wife, Carla, have two children, Molly and Michael.
