Dom Addeo

I was born in Brooklyn, NY, to parents of Italian descent. My grandparents were immigrants and first-generation Americans, spanning the waves of Italian immigration from the late 1800’s and on, from Italy or indirectly from Brazil. Yet they all shared a loyalty to America and a deep pride in being Americans. My paternal grandfather, after whom I am named, and two uncles (one on each side of the family), served in the US Army.

My family appreciated and honored their Italian heritage, mostly through art, music and of course, cuisine. Holidays were a wondrous mix of some of the best southern and central Italian traditions and recipes with the best of American. Naturally, we celebrated the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, which usually exceeded seven varieties and lasted for hours. Baking and cooking were as much an art form as the professional artistry of many in my family, including my father.

When I was just about 13, my parents moved us to Freehold, NJ in the center of historic Monmouth County, surrounded by suburban homes, orchards, and horse farms. It was for me both cultural and social upheaval. Luckily, it was the home of my future wife and best friend, Donna, whom I met a few years later while working at a now defunct department store. This October we will be married forty-five (45) years.

We have always loved coming to Florida (even separately as kids with our respective families). So, in 2011, after leaving Merrill Lynch with more than 25 years, we sold our home in Freehold, NJ and moved full time to Amelia Island. We have since lived in several places in Florida, the longest being in our current home in Jax, Southside. We love the variety that Duval, Nassau, and Saint John’s counties offer in activities, culture, etc., and do not intend to leave the area (even as we frequently travel).

We are blessed with three sons, Stephen (who still lives in NJ in spite of our coaxing), James (who lives in Saint Augustine), Mathew (who lives with us), two lovely daughters in law, and four wonderful grandchildren whom we do not see often enough.

Lastly, with nearly forty years of leadership experience at prominent financial services firms, I currently serve as an SVP, Director for First Citizens Bank, headquartered in Raleigh, NC., where I oversee BSA, AML & Sanctions models and platforms, Financial Crimes MIS reporting, and merger & acquisition initiatives in the Compliance realm.