The Assembly of Assopiastrelle has elected Alfonso Panzani President of Assopiastrelle for a two-year term 2005-2006 with 93.68 percent of the vote.

Alfonso Panzani is 53 years old, married with three children, and has a degree in Economics and Business from the University of Modena. He is president of the Italian ceramic manufacturer, Settecento Valtresinaro. His background with Assopiastrelle began in 1986, when he was elected a Board Member. He was most recently President of the Energy Commission of the Association; President of Gas Intensive, the consortium for the acquisition of methane gas among Italian energy – intensive sectors; and a member of the Administrative Boards of Cer- Energia and Cofim. From 1995-1997, he was President of the Assopiastrelle Commission for Promotional Activity and Tradeshows and a member of the council of CFI, the Confindustria organization that brings together associations that run tradeshows.

His career in the tile industry began in 1976, just after graduating, when he became area manager of Ceramiche Cerdisa. After ten years he became Administrative Director for the Cisa-Cerdisa group. In 1992, he became owner and President of Settecento, which acquired Ceramica Valtresinaro the next year. Today, this group is characterized by a strong orientation toward creativity - with a capability of producing decorative pieces. With an annual turnover of 25 million euro, the company has 126 employees with 85 percent of their products going to the export market.

He succeeds Sergio Sassi, who has been president for two consecutive terms, and due to bylaws, was no longer eligible for the presidency.