Mr. Francesco Aquilini is the Managing Director of Vancouver-based Aquilini Investment Group Inc., a private, family-run business founded almost 50 years ago by his father, Mr. Luigi Aquilini.

The Aquilini Investment Group owns and manages a diversified national real estate portfolio that includes commercial properties, multi-family residential apartments and condominiums for sale, office buildings, hotels, golf courses, and land held for future development.

In addition, the company owns significant agricultural holdings, including blueberry and cranberry farms. Their crops are marketed throughout Canada, the United States and Japan, and over the next few years, as the fields reach maturity, the Aquilini Investment Group will become one of North America's leading producers of blueberries and cranberries.

A business administration graduate of Burnaby's Simon Fraser University, Mr. Francesco Aquilini also earned a Masters in Business Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Since joining the family firm 25 years ago, Mr. Aquilini has been actively involved at every organizational level of the company's various divisions. His experience includes the management of successful turnaround real estate projects, and he has provided a leadership role in the development and construction of a number of multi-million dollar projects across Canada.

Today, Mr. Aquilini is responsible for the growth of the Group through strategic initiatives and business development. His expertise lies in finding creative approaches for structuring and financing new business opportunities, and in establishing talented management teams that can execute successful business plan.

As a family with deep roots in Vancouver, the Aquilini's are proud to support a number of worthwhile community organizations and local charities that strive to improve the quality of life for individuals and neighbourhoods.

As the chair and primary sponsor of the Italian Gardens at Vancouver's Hastings Park, Mr. Aquilini helped deliver the gardens as a celebration of Vancouver's proud Italian-Canadian community, and a place of peace, tranquility and fun for families and children.

The Aquilini family also believes each generation is accountable for preserving and safeguarding the environment for future generations. As a result of their sizeable donation toward the conservation of Blaney Bog in Maple Ridge, a 104 hectare site adjacent to Blaney Bog Regional Park was renamed as the Aquilini Land Conservancy, recognizing the family's part in permanently protecting the area as a wildlife and nature reserve.