Franco Nuschese

Business executive and philanthropist Franco Nuschese, 51, is the owner of several diversified enterprises including Washington’s Café Milano and is a longtime board member for the Global Virus Network, a coalition of the world’s leading medical virology research centers.

He is president of Georgetown Entertainment Group, LLC and Capital Wines, LLC.

Nuschese came to Washington in 1991 and a year later opened Café Milano in Georgetown; through his marketing skills and initiatives, Café Milano immediately soared to top-ranked status through his management, attracting the stars of Capitol Hill, Hollywood, diplomats, classical and popular entertainers, professional athletes and media personalities.

Proud of his Italian heritage, Nuschese is active in organizations that support the Italian culture in America. An especially proud achievement for Nuschese was hosting the 81st birthday lunch for Pope Benedict XVI on April 16, 2008, at the Vatican Embassy during the Pope’s visit to the D.C.

In 2010, Nuschese was knighted “Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana” by the Italian government in recognition for setting a positive image of Italians in America and throughout the world.

Nuschese participates and donates to civic and charitable organizations. He hosted benefits to support the memorial for victims of the 9-11 attack on the Pentagon and for 9-11 rescue workers. He has volunteered food and his time to feed the homeless, and has contributed to events benefiting American military troops and veterans.

In May 2013 he was elected to the board of directors of the Global Virus Network, a coalition of the world’s leading medical virology research centers working to prevent illness and death from viral disease. He is a member of the Atlantic Council, a preeminent nonpartisan institution devoted to promoting transatlantic cooperation and international security.

August 2012, elected Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of the Order of Malta to Antigua Barbuda. GQ magazine named Nuschese one of the “20 Most Powerful People in Washington…That You’ve Never Heard Of.”