The Founder
Antonio Lombardi, versatile and forward-looking businessman, is a supporter of work and humanrights.
“Work and the other. That is, how work connects and helps people to know each other, in the same society.”
It is the central theme of Antonio Lombardi’s experience as a businessman.
“When I was 16, I began to work as a doorman at the Punta Molino Hotel in Ischia. I arrived on that island when Vittorio De Sica was filming Caccia alla Volpe with Britt Ekland and Peter Sellers. The whole cast stayed at the hotel for more than two months.”
“I was the Director of Chef Italia, which was a Collective Food Service Society that managed workplace canteens.”
Gestore Hotel Bardi a Ravello.
“In 1970 the Tunisian government was starting its tourist activities, and was asking its neighbours country to send some specialized staff to launch their activities. So, being only 23 years old, I was the youngest Hotel Manager in Sousse.”
“I was the Director of Chef Italia, which was a Collective Food Service Society that managed workplace canteens.”
“Everything began with the novel of Francesca and Annunziata di Maria Orsini Natale. I deeply fell in love with their book, and I managed to meet the author and the editor. I knew that book was valuable and I decided to buy 51% of the publishing company Avagliano Editore, until I completely took over it.”
Edizioni Lavoro was born thanks to the cooperation with a managing group of CISL.
“In the early ‘80s I entered the world of meal vouchers. At that time, there were only three companies. I began with a French company; then, thanks to some financiers’ trust, I established the Repas Lunch Coupon on my own ”.
“We were the first Italians to arrive in Hungary after the fall of communism. It was 1990, in March, and we established a Joint Venture with a Hungarian catering society. Inside the Budapest mall we opened the first Italian fast food with Pasta, Pizza and Gelato formula. I called it the Lombardi Formula!”
During those years we invested on Hôtellerie, and we opened one of the most prestigious Hotel on the Buda Hills, the Dunabardi Hotel.
“We were the first Italians to arrive in Hungary after the fall of communism. It was 1990, in March, and we established a Joint Venture with a Hungarian catering society. Inside the Budapest mall we opened the first Italian fast food with Pasta, Pizza and Gelato formula. I called it the Lombardi Formula!”
The approval of the Treu Law and of many new laws in the business market brought Antonio Lombardi to found ALI: “The employment agencies should become real tutors for the youngest, they should provide efficient and personalized services to the youngest, strengthen their competences and accompany them until they are ready to face the professional world”.
ALI elaboration center of wages was transformed by Antonio Lombardi into the Compagnia Dei Salari, a personnel administration company.
The love for food and the Italian culture encouraged Antonio Lombardi to open Nanà, the Italian restaurant situated in the historical center of Rome, near the Trevi Fountain and the Quirinale, in a suggestive square in Via della Panetteria.
Creator and financier of the Sciuscià project, along with ALI, Antonio Lombardi selects and hires five African men, who will work as shoe-shiners in Via Veneto, Rome, during the Festival del Cinema: “we give these immigrants an opportunity to have a regular job and to join our society in a honest way. Shoe-shining is an ancient job, which has disappeared from many years, and we would like to bring it back.”
After many complaint regarding the decay situation of the historical centre of Rome, Antonio Lombardi hires two persons for one year: they will keep Piazza Fontana di Trevi neat and clean. He will later say: “I’ve had enough. I will pay for it!”
After the contrast with Assolavoro (regarding the renewal of the national labour contract), Ali and other employment agencies decide to leave the association. Alleanza Lavoro is now a new project, founded by Antonio Lombardi himself: “Alleanza Lavoro wants to contribute in the development of a new and modern culture of work, where there is no illegal work or irregular contracts, and where there are real agreements between people and companies.”
After many complaint regarding the decay situation of the historical centre of Rome, Antonio Lombardi hires two persons for one year: they will keep Piazza Fontana di Trevi neat and clean. He will later say: “I’ve had enough. I will pay for it!”
Antonio Lombardi founds the China Project in Prato. “We have decided to support the integration among the Italian and the Chinese community. We work with different foreigners community, we are not afraid of differences. We have hired a young Italian girl, very well integrated in the Chinese community, and we have launched a specific project.”
Special Ambassador and Plenipotential of the Sovrano Militare Ordine di Malta, supporting activities and ventures for the safeguard of civil rights, of healthcare, of humanitarian assistance, of cooperation projects meant to help people in need.
Knight of Grazia Magistrale del Sovrano Militare Ordine di Malta in Gran Priorato in Lombardy and Venice.
Honorary General Consul of Bolivia in Hungary.
He receives the gold medal for value from the President of the Republic of Hungary for his humanitarian assistance and for his activities towards the ethnical minorities.
Knight Commander of the Order of Pope San Silvestro.
Magister of Amalfitan Civilzation for having supported many cultural and spiritual activities on behalf of the Amalfitan nation.
Honorary Citizenship of Atrani, merit expressed for the first time by the Country, which wanted to award Antonio Lombardi for his activities in favour of the social and cultural growth of the community: “I want to thank the community of Atrani for the award and the affection shown. I’ve always felt a connection with this city and when I met my wife in 1972, I’ve strengthen this bond.”
Member of the Foundation “Centesimus Annus – Pro Pontifice” City of Vatican.
“Honor al merito” from the President of Costa Rica – symbol of his humanitarian and social commitment for the Country.
Supporter of “Casa di Madre Teresa di Calcutta” in Budapest.
Supporter of “Centro Astalli della Compagnia di Gesù” in Rome.
Supporter and financier of “Scuola Mariano Bianco di Amalfi”, the most ancient and co-founded school in the archiepiscopal curia of Amalfi.
Supporter and Financier of “La Medalla Milagrosa” of Barrio Cuba- Costa Rica – He has planned and financed a series of activities for children and families in need in Barrio Cuba; for example, he has built a dining hall for the daily distribution of breakfast for 100 children.
Supporter and Financier of Suore Carmelitane of “El Carmelo” – Costa Rica – He financed part of the didactic Project, he built the gym and donated 10 scholarships for children in need.
Supporter Hospital Nacional De Niños – Costa Rica. He bought some new pediatric beds for the Hospital de los Niños in San José, which is a Centre of Medial Science that focuses on the most complex pathology and intends to improve the health of children in Costa Rica through national pediatric education. A little help to give hope and future to these children.
