Joseph C. Canizaro | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1937 (age 86–87)[1] |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Commercial real estate developer[2] |
| Known for | President and Chief Executive Officer of Columbus Properties, L.P.,[2] founder of First Bank and Trust, New Orleans[3][4] former owner of New Orleans Breakers football franchise (1983–1986)[1] |
| Spouse(s) | Sue Ellen Canizaro, née Mattina[1] |
| Children | 2 daughters |
Joseph C. Canizaro (born 1937) is an American commercial real estate developer and philanthropist. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, Canizaro developed several buildings that make up the New Orleans skyline. In 2005, Canizaro was described as the "single most influential business executive from New Orleans".[5] Canizaro has made substantial philanthropic donations to Catholic churches, colleges and universities located in New Orleans and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He was former owner of the New Orleans Breakers football franchise.
Early years
Joseph Canizaro is the son of Dr. Vito Canizaro, a Biloxi surgeon (died 1954), and Gilda Melone Canizaro (died 1990).[1][6] He was the oldest of eight siblings and grew up in Biloxi.[1][5] In 1961, Canizaro married Sue Ellen Mattina, and the couple moved to New Orleans in 1964.[1][7]
Career
New Orleans businessman and developer
Notable New Orleans high-rise developments by Canizaro have included:
- The 22-story Lykes Center completed in 1966, which became the Loews Hotel.[7]
- Canal Place, completed in 1979.[8][9]
- Texaco Center, completed in 1983.[8][10]
- Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, completed in 1984.[8]
- LL&E Tower, completed in 1987.[11] The LL&E Tower later became the First Bank and Trust Tower when, in 1991, Canizaro founded First Bank and Trust of New Orleans, which was housed in the tower.[4]
Sports
In 1983, Canizaro purchased the USFL's New Orleans Breakers football team.[1] Over 3 seasons, the team played under three names – Boston Breakers (1983), New Orleans Breakers (1984), and Portland Breakers (1985). Because of their inability to televise fall football games in competition with the NFL, USFL teams lost millions of dollars in revenue.[12][13] Consequently, Canizaro folded his franchise in 1986.[13]
Tradition community development
In the late 1990s, Canizaro purchased from International Paper Company approximately 4,900 acres (2,000 ha) of mostly forested land located in central Harrison County, Mississippi.[14][15] On that land, Canizaro began developing Tradition – a planned community located approximately 17 miles (27 km) north of Biloxi, off Mississippi Highway 67. When fully developed, Tradition is projected to cover 4,900 acres (2,000 ha) and contain 15,000 residential units.[16] Tradition has been described as "Mississippi's first master planned community".[15]
As of 2023, Canizaro's health corridor (medical city)[17] developments in association with Tradition, have included:
- William Carey University Tradition campus – anchor for "Tradition Medical City", opened in 2009.[18][19]
- School of Pharmacy at William Carey University Tradition campus, opened in 2018.[17][20]
- Bryant Center School of Nursing & Simulation Lab – Opened in 2018 as part of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.[17]
- The National Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute – Established in 2015 in association with the Cleveland Clinic, local and regional health facilities, educational institutions, and governmental agencies.[21][14]
- Mississippi Veterans Home – Groundbreaking for the $64 million 100-bed facility was held in 2019.[22][23]
Public service
- Trustee and past Chairman of the Urban Land Institute[24]
- Member of Tulane University President's Council[2]
- Founder of the Committee for a Better New Orleans[2]
- Advisory Committee on Real Estate Development at Harvard University Graduate School of Design[6]
- On the Board of Ave Maria University in Naples, Florida as Trustee Emeritus[2]
- Member of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) Foundation Board[14]
Philanthropy
To manage his philanthropic endeavors, Canizaro set up a nonprofit Donum Dei Foundation in New Orleans in 1993.[8][25] Select donations in support of educational institutions and health care facilities have included:
- Canizaro Center for Catholic Studies at Loyola University New Orleans.[26][3]
- Joseph Canizaro and James Livingston Center for Environmental Informatics at the University of New Orleans.[3]
- Benefactor to Neuroscience Center of Excellence LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans.[27]
- Donated property on which the MGCCC Bryant Center nursing facility was constructed in the Tradition community.[14]
- Established endowed scholarships available to students at MGCCC.[14]
Honors and awards
- Honorary Doctorate from Our Lady of Holy Cross College, New Orleans[2]
- Recipient of the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement (1980) and host of the 1982 Achievement Summit in New Orleans[28]
- Mayor's Medal of Honor (1999), New Orleans[2]
- Louisiana Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame Award[2]
- Honorary Doctorate from Notre Dame Seminary.[2]
- Recipient of 2019 MGCCC Hornsby Award[14]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Physicians, Dentists and Nurses | Biloxi Historical Society". biloxihistoricalsociety.org. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "2023 Lifetime Achievement Award - Joseph Canizaro". Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- 1 2 3 Fazio, Marie (June 14, 2022). "New Orleans businessman Joseph Canizaro donates $5 million to Loyola for Catholic studies center". NOLA.com. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- 1 2 "First Bank & Trust/New Orleans LA - Company Profile and News". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- 1 2 Rivlin, Gary (September 29, 2005). "A Mogul Who Would Rebuild New Orleans". Retrieved July 4, 2023 – via NYTimes.com.
- 1 2 "50 Years of Faith and Vision". December 1, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- 1 2 Chandler, Diana (October 12, 2010). "Driving Forces: Joseph Canizaro | New Orleans CityBusiness". Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 Muro, Maria (December 5, 2011). "Charity Heroes". Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ↑ "One Canal Place - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ↑ "Texaco Center - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ↑ "First Bank & Trust Tower - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ↑ Perry, Mark (January 15, 2023). "The Complete History Of The USFL Of The 1980's". usflnewshub.com. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- 1 2 "Portland Breakers". Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 McAdams, Kathy (May 24, 2019). "MGCCC Foundation recognizes Joseph C. Canizaro at annual scholarship gala". Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- 1 2 "Betting on Tradition | Builder Magazine". Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ↑ "About | Tradition". traditionms.com. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- 1 2 3 Bruns, Adam. "Health Care: The 'Rebuilding Czar' Comes Home | Site Selection Magazine". Site Selection. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ↑ "Tradition Campus | William Carey University". www.wmcarey.edu. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ↑ "History of William Carey University | William Carey University". www.wmcarey.edu. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ↑ "William Carey University School of Pharmacy Opens at Tradition Campus – MDEQ". www.mdeq.ms.gov. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ↑ "National Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute". ndori.org. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ↑ Corder, Frank (April 29, 2021). "Bids being received for construction of new VA Home on Mississippi Gulf Coast". Magnolia Tribune. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ↑ "Opening of new Mississippi Veterans Home pushed back to 2024". wlox.com. October 13, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ↑ "Global Governing Trustees". Urban Land Institute. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ↑ Roberts, Andrea Suozzo, Ken Schwencke, Mike Tigas, Sisi Wei, Alec Glassford, Brandon (May 9, 2013). "The Donum Dei Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "New Canizaro Center opens". September 5, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ↑ "Neuroscience Center of Excellence LSU/HSC School of Medicine, New Orleans" (PDF). medschool.lsuhsc.edu. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ↑ "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement". achievement.org. American Academy of Achievement.