Mascognaz in the Italian region of Valle d’Aosta, which conferred on him the title of “Amis de la Vallée d’Aoste”. From 1998 to 2006, he was the president of Ucina (now Confindustria Nautica), a Confindustria (Confederation of Italian Industry) association grouping businesses in the Italian yachting industry. In this period he did much to boost the industry’s development, promoting the introduction of law 172/2003 and the approval of yacht leasing and other measures that have contributed to the sector’s success. Politics From 1974 to 2018, he was the Honorary Consul of Norway. From March 2013 to September 2015, he was a member of the Italian parliament, elected in the Civic Choice List with Monti for Italy. He was a member of the Parliamentary Committee for the Security of the Republic (COPASIR) and the Transport and Finance Commissions. Honours 1996: Cavaliere del lavoro (Order of Merit for Labour) 2004: Honorary degree in mechanical engineering from Politecnico di Torino 2006: Confindustria “Champions of growth” award as best Italian business in the five-year period 2001-2006 in terms of growth, innovation and internationalisation; 2011: Amis de la Vallée d’Aoste for his contribution to the development of tourism in various locations by creating quality hotels in old rural buildings. 2017: Carlo Riva Award for entrepreneur of the year Publications References External links "Mega-yacht maker pushes out the boat" by Jorn Madslien, BBC News. Italian businesspeople Living people 1947 births