28 Oct ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO HOSTS ESSEX COUNTY ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION Francis J. Giantomasi from CSG Law and Millburn Mayor Annette Romano Honored as ‘Stellas della Contea di Essex’
Published on October 28, 2025
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. hosted the 2025 Essex County Italian American Heritage Month celebration on Tuesday, October 28th in the Essex County Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Building. During the cultural event, DiVincenzo recognized Francis J. Giantomasi, Co-Chair, Executive Committee at GSC Law in Roseland, and Annette Romano, Mayor of Millburn, as “Stellas della Contea di Essex” (Stars of Essex County). The honor recognizes them for their commitment to improving the lives of all residents and their community involvement.
“Our celebration is an opportunity to recognize the contributions that Italian Americans have made to the history and culture of Essex County. Today, we are honoring two proud Italian Americans who have positively impacted our world and our County,” DiVincenzo said. “Frank Giantomasi and Annette Romano each have made an impact on their communities and have continuously improved the quality of life for our residents,” he added.
Francis J. Giantomasi is one of New Jersey’s foremost real estate attorneys, with more than four decades of experience in real estate acquisitions, development, complex commercial transactions, and Chancery litigation. A recognized authority in planning, zoning, and tax abatement law, he has served as Chief Development Counsel for several of the state’s most significant projects, including Prudential’s and Panasonic’s Newark headquarters, Lionsgate Newark Studios, and Netflix’s production campus at the former Fort Monmouth Army base.
Giantomasi has a long record of public service, having served as Chief Counsel to the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders (now called the Board of Commissioners) and as County Counsel from 1992 to 2005. In 2017, he was appointed to Governor Phil Murphy’s Transition Counsel Committee. A graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law, where he was named Distinguished Graduate in 2025, he previously clerked for Essex County Assignment Judge Arthur J. Blake and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Newark Beth Israel Hospital.
“Italian heritage is a story about courage, family and pride. We honor the past not by living in it but by building on it,” Giantomasi said. “Other than my children and family, there is nothing I am more prouder of than working with Joe DiVincenzo and all the great things he has done for the people of this County,” he added.
Annette Romano, ranking member of the five-member Millburn Township Committee, is a lifelong resident deeply committed to the Millburn/Short Hills community. With more than 30 years of volunteer service, she has played an active role in local schools and parent-teacher organizations, always striving to strengthen community connections and support residents in need.
Throughout her years of service, Romano has chaired the school district’s community outreach initiatives, organizing food and toy drives and supporting the Millburn/Short Hills chapter of the American Red Cross. She later served as Director of Health & Safety for the organization and went on to found and continues to manage the community food pantry, a vital resource that provides assistance and nourishment to local families. Her leadership reflects a lifelong dedication to compassion, service, and the well-being of her neighbors.
“I first met Joe over 20 years ago at the Millburn Diner. At that time, I had no idea he would become County Executive and I would become Mayor of Millburn. One thing that we have in common are the ideals and values instilled in us by our parents,” Romano said.
The Essex County Italian Heritage Celebration is part of a yearlong series of programs initiated by County Executive DiVincenzo to raise awareness about and celebrate the diversity of Essex County.