• President and Founder

    Director / Music Manager / Animal Rights Activist / Philanthropist / Frankie Banali’s widow

    Like many film directors, Regina Banali initiated her career in front of the lens, accumulating over 40 film and television roles across both modest and blockbuster productions. Her acting debut included portraying a mermaid in Steven Spielberg's "Hook." In 2008, she transitioned to the role of a director, crafting PSAs for The Humane Society of the United States, rallying celebrities for animal rights causes. Her directorial debut came in the form of "QUIET RIOT: Well Now You’re Here, There’s No Way Back," a documentary on Frankie’s band, Quiet Riot. Acquired by Showtime in 2015, the film marked her directorial breakthrough. Frankie and Regina Banali were/are passionate activists and advocates for animals, protesting, raising and donating, and rescuing many animals. At one point their home had four dogs and ten cats.

    Regina now owns and maintains Frankie’s rights, musical legacy and band Quiet Riot which currently plays 40-65 shows per year. Through the success of Quiet Riot since Frankie’s passing, Regina has been able to continue their shared passion for donating to important animal causes and she has continued to advocate and protest at various actions. Most notably in Wisconsin on April 18th 2026 to protest and attempt to rescue beagles at a large breeding facility, Ridglan Farms where beagles were bred for 60 years and sold to cruel medical experiments. She returned one month later to help carry out the beagles that had been freed by the efforts of many people and organizations.

    She founded this non profit to help raise money for animals in crisis.

  • Board Member

    Politz, a renowned entrepreneur, publisher, and branding authority with more than 25 years in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries. He is the founder and publisher of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading global resource for the industry and a primary platform for chefs, restaurateurs, beverage professionals, and hospitality executives worldwide. In 1998, through a chance introduction to the original technology team, he designed the now-iconic Bluetooth logo—one of the most recognizable symbols in today’s CPG and technology landscape.

    Politz is the co-founder of The Proof Awards and The CPG Awards, two influential platforms that celebrate excellence, innovation, and brand-building in spirits, beverages, and consumer packaged goods. These programs give brands powerful third-party validation and a pathway to increased visibility among buyers, distributors, and retailers in an increasingly crowded marketplace. He also uses Food & Beverage Magazine’s ecosystem to align editorial, digital, and awards-driven exposure so products can stand out, secure placements, and scale across key on- and off-premise channels.

    As an author, Politz was contracted by John Wiley & Sons to write Guide to Restaurant Success: (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), used in hospitality and restaurant programs and embraced by both emerging and established operators. The book turns his experience into practical frameworks for concept development, positioning, operations, and guest experience, reinforcing his role as a go-to resource for restaurant entrepreneurs and educators.

    An innovator from the start, Politz launched his first company, American Wholesale Floral, immediately after graduating from American University, earning a spot on Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” list. That early foundation in entrepreneurship and brand-building shapes his approach to media properties, awards platforms, and partnerships across foodservice, CPG, and hospitality. Over the years, he has advised Fortune 500 brands, celebrity chefs, and high-growth startups on brand strategy, route-to-market, and consumer engagement.

    Politz continues to expand his impact through War Machine, a SaaS and services platform giving brands and agencies integrated tools for marketing, lead generation, automation, and growth in the modern marketplace. His work sits at the intersection of media, technology, and commerce, turning attention into measurable outcomes for partners and bringing a uniquely strategic perspective informed by decades of industry experience.

  • Board Member

    Celebrated drum virtuoso Pat Gesualdo made medical, education, and drumming history when he introduced the world to his pioneering “Healing Art of Drum Therapy” techniques, and non profit organization D.A.D. (Drums and Disabilities). In 2004, then New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his Administration, and the New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner, helped Pat launch D.A.D. as a special education program. The WWE, several New York City School Officials, and the New York Giants helped Gesualdo launch D.A.D. at WrestleMania and WWE Raw at Madison Square Garden and the Meadowlands Izod Arena.

    Pat is also the founder of the Metal Hall of Fame, which does the Annual Metal Hall of Fame Celebrity Charity Gala every January, Inducting legendary bands and music industry executives.

  • Advisory Board Member

    Wendy Dio is the widow of Ronnie James Dio and President and Owner of Niji Management. Over the past thirty years, she has been involved in many aspects of the music business, receiving awards from Performance and Pollstar for stage set design and concert video production, along with serving as executive producer on numerous gold and platinum albums. In 2010, she co-founded the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, which has raised over $2 million for research, education, and early detection screenings. 

  • Secretary

    Caroline Bray is a dedicated animal rescuer who has personally fostered over 100 dogs. She is a life long entrepreneur and has volunteered and hosted many animal welfare fundraisers.

  • Treasurer