service directory and conferences for the R&I community Risk & Insurance® recently sat down with Vincent Cisternino vice president of wholesale financial lines at Westfield Specialty to discuss the key financial risks insureds are facing and the impact of regulatory changes on financial lines insurance What follows is a transcript of that conversation Risk & Insurance: What are the key financial risks that insureds are currently facing across various industries Vincent Cisternino: Financial lines insureds encompass a vast landscape of entities including virtually any commercial business or nonprofit across all industries both financial and non-financial institutions While risk factors can be specific to each insured there are several key issues that many are currently facing One major concern has been the financial strain caused by a sustained period of higher interest rates We’ve seen an increase in bankruptcies in both sponsor backed and non-sponsor backed companies Executives are having to make strategic decisions including expense reductions and asset sales to keep their businesses afloat all of which can lead to potential litigation against the business and their directors and officers Another risk factor for many businesses is navigating a changing regulatory environment These regulatory actions and investigations can sometimes be covered under D&O or similar policies depending on the breadth of coverage Social inflation is also driving up litigation expenses while certain industries face antitrust concerns typically covered under cyber/tech E&O policies can have a financial impact on the business if a cyber event or claim affects an entity’s financials These are some of the main financial exposures that would generally affect most commercial business or nonprofit insureds although the specific risks can vary greatly depending on the industry and individual business R&I: What regulatory changes or regulations are having the most significant impact on financial institutions particularly those working with retail consumers VC: The CFPB is one regulator the focuses on financial institutions The CFPB closely scrutinizes how these institutions transact with consumers compliance hinges on proper disclosure and adhering to the letter of the law even when companies are confident in their compliance efforts the nature of their industry may render them more susceptible to scrutiny from the CFPB R&I: What types of coverage are included in the financial lines for different entity types such as financial institutions Vice President of Wholesale Financial Lines at Westfield Specialty VC: For all of these entity types — financial institutions and nonprofits — the financial lines include D&O This is because D&O and E&O exposures are often blended together for financial institutions making it difficult to discern whether a loss falls under the D&O or the E&O policy provisions By combining D&O and E&O coverages in one policy the insured has the assurance of coverage for certain types of D&O and E&O risks without having two carriers dispute which side may be responsible for the loss R&I: What is the current state of the directors and officers insurance market and how does it compare to the private business market is currently experiencing soft market conditions across the board although some segments are softer than others Various industry reports highlight the state of the public D&O market which tends to garner more headlines than the private market It’s important to note that while there are approximately 4,300 publicly traded companies in the US there are roughly 25 million private businesses This makes the private market significantly larger in terms of financial lines market share rate changes have generally been more tempered than public and private D&O R&I: What are the main challenges you face when assessing exposures and underwriting companies to provide them with the necessary coverage while maintaining a profitable book of business there is a wealth of accessible data that can help expedite the underwriting process reducing our reliance on information directly from the insured we depend on the information provided in the submission packet This requires brokers to obtain a comprehensive list of necessary items from the insured The quality of submissions varies significantly across the market Sometimes we receive excellent submissions with all the required information we have to make additional requests of the insured through the broker R&I: What advice would you give to a risk manager whether new in their career or experienced who is trying to build a good relationship with an underwriter and help the broker put together a detailed submission to facilitate the process VC: I would advise starting the process early This allows for more lead time and enables some back and forth with the broker as opposed to trying to get it done in the 11th hour Insureds should be willing to share the required information Most carriers are prepared to sign an NDA to ensure that the client feels comfortable sending them any information they deem confidential There are various file sharing platforms and ways to do it to provide the insured confidence that their data is secure I’d also recommend asking your broker for the opportunity to speak with underwriters especially those who are considering a primary or lead position Make sure that they fully understand your business model and the challenges that your business faces R&I: Does tension exist within companies between risk managers who want to provide detailed submissions and others who may be hesitant to be as transparent It often comes down to whether the insured views the purchase of financial lines products as a short-term transactional experience or part of a long-term collaboration For insureds who don’t see the value in the product and are buying simply to meet third-party requirements They are happy to check a box and show they have the required D&O or EPL limits in place There are plenty of carriers offering low-cost and the process is smoother for all parties – the client and the carrier – when there are no surprises This means the insurer thoroughly understands and is comfortable with the insured’s exposures We are currently building out a dedicated wholesale platform within financial lines to address more complex risks that require in-depth underwriting and often bespoke policy language that typically come through the wholesale brokerage channel Our experienced legal and claims teams bring a level of excellence to the relationship and get involved early to make certain we’re drafting something specific to address the needs of each insured built on the principle of long-term associations This unique perspective allows us to focus on building lasting relationships with our insureds and brokers R&I: How has the excess and surplus (E&S) market evolved within financial lines in recent years we’ve seen a significant shift in the financial lines market with more carriers creating dedicated divisions of underwriters to service wholesale financial lines brokers it wasn’t always prevalent in financial lines we’re adapting to this trend as well Our unique platform lends itself particularly well to this business as Westfield Specialty is heavily focused on the E&S market overall R&I: What are the key factors in determining the success of an insurer-insured relationship over the long term VC: To truly gauge the success of an insurer-insured relationship you need to evaluate it over a 6 to 10-year period This is because loss history and claims typically take 3 to 4 years to fully develop We aspire to have insureds in our portfolio for 6 to 10 years Our goal is to never lose an insured over coverage or price issues Building a long-term collaboration is crucial One strategy that has proven successful for us is offering one-on-one calls with insureds to fully understand their operations beyond what the application states These conversations have been tremendously valuable we can modify the policy language to better address the insured’s specific exposures This personalized approach has been a key factor in fostering strong R&I: How are you winning new deals in today’s market VC: We’re winning a lot of new deals by being flexible especially in our wholesale financial lines division We believe we can find appropriate pricing and conditions for most risks and it’s that underwriting creativity that has resonated with our wholesale brokers and insureds we recently won a deal with a midsized financial institution that had a bank a private real estate fund advisor and other entities under one roof the broker was looking for a carrier that could come up with a single policy to cover all the D&O EPL and Fiduciary risks for each of these businesses It required a lot of work from our legal team but was an excellent demonstration of our capabilities We even facilitated a conversation between their general counsel and our head of financial lines claims before they decided to purchase our policy and the general counsel knows they can pick up the phone if necessary While this approach means we can’t get through as many deals in a day and have to be more thoughtful about it it allows us to establish strong relationships with our clients from the outset R&I: What is the significance of bringing E&S style underwriting to financial lines and why is it being done through the wholesale brokerage channel VC: Bringing an “E&S style” of underwriting to financial lines is about addressing the needs of complex businesses or esoteric business models through thoughtful underwriting Many of these risks come to wholesale brokers who are experts in these fields We’re catering our offering to the wholesale brokerage channel because that’s where a lot of this expertise resides Topicals can be a costly specialty medication in workers’ compensation But when a topical is deemed medically necessary it’s important payers have a resource that works with them to reduce their overall cost New Jersey court rules company lacked authority to release a former subsidiary's rights to pollution coverage without consent Fitch Ratings report suggests workers' comp insurance may see declining reserve strength after nine years of underwriting profits provides clarification on the application of the workers' compensation exclusive remedy rule Securities class actions are an unfortunate fact of life for U.S When a company and their directors and officers are sued for securities fraud finding the right defense counsel is mission critical The securities defense bar is a small subset of all U.S and the right attorney within the right firm How can the directors and officers named as defendants in a securities class action get it right Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) believes it has an answer BHSI maintains a list of securities defense firms that provide the best defense in this crucial area But their “Preferred Counsel” program goes even further offering insureds several financial and other incentives unique in the D&O marketplace In 2024, there were 220 “core” securities class actions filed (i.e. Claimed damages rose by 23 percent last year with 27 lawsuits alleging damages of over $5 billion with typical settlements ranging between $30 million and $40 million Ten securities class actions settled for $100 million or more and the total value of all settlements in 2024 was over $6 billion In addition to traditional securities class actions “mega” shareholder derivative cases continue to rise with many of them settling at $100 million or more With alleged damages in securities claims frequently in the billions even for medium and smaller sized public companies trying a securities class action becomes a “bet the company” proposition and the cost and complexity of litigating these cases defending a securities class action calls for the very best legal representation That is where BHSI aims to help its customers navigate this important decision SVP Public Commercial Insurance and D&O Product Lead BHSI launched its Preferred Counsel Program which offers insureds financial and other benefits for working with one of 25 carefully vetted law firms “These firms have demonstrated a deep understanding of securities class actions and the unique challenges our customers face,” William Carroll SVP public commercial insurance and D&O product lead for BHSI “BHSI can ensure that our policyholders receive the highest quality legal representation when they need it most.” and looming discovery costs risking depletion of D&O insurance proceeds job number one for the defense attorney in a securities class action is defeating the case at the pleadings stage on motion to dismiss “Our goal is to have the best attorney on each particular case that provides the client with the highest probability of getting a suit dismissed at pleading stage,” said Carroll VP public commercial and financial institutions and technical claims lead roughly half of all securities class actions survive a motion to dismiss and move into the discovery phase – a costly time-consuming and perilous journey offering few rewards for the defense All securities defense firms advertise their success at getting cases dismissed and all are ostensibly prepared to go to trial the number of firms that consistently demonstrate success “These cases need to be handled by counsel with the highest levels of expertise,” Critchell said The firms on BHSI’s preferred counsel list are selected for a combination of legal firepower and commercial practicality “They are all fierce litigators who also know how to run a case effectively and efficiently with an eye toward the eventual resolution – including negotiating with the top plaintiffs firms all of whom are tough litigators in their own right.” VP Public Commercial and Financial Institutions and Technical Claims Lead BHSI’s preferred counsel endorsement is aimed at steering their customers to the “best of the best” securities litigation defense firms the endorsement contains a number of industry-leading financial and other incentives available in the event the insured chooses counsel from the preferred list The first financial incentive is an immediate reduction in the amount of the self-insured retention The reduction is based on an agreed percentage of the retention amount – typically 25 percent – and is applied at the beginning of the claim is triggered when and if the defendants do not prevail on the motion to dismiss with the case proceeding toward the costly territory of discovery and potential settlement BHSI’s endorsement offers an additional reduction of up to 100 percent of the amount remaining in the SIR – a feature that is unique in the D&O marketplace “We are essentially putting our money where our mouth is,” Carroll said “The true economic benefit for the client can range from a few hundred thousand dollars to millions.” But the benefits BHSI’s endorsement provides do not end there The endorsement is available for all insureds for whom BHSI provides primary insurance and allows them the freedom to choose a law firm from the preferred counsel list – or not BHSI’s customers are free to use all the firms in any jurisdiction in which securities litigation is filed in the United States BHSI believes all the firms on its preferred counsel list are competent to litigate cases anywhere in the country The program has proved an immediate success Carroll reports that the insurer has been able to grow its primary public D&O portfolio by over 20 percent since rolling out the program last year BHSI considers its market-leading endorsement a source of mutual benefit for its insureds Building strong relationships with law firms is a key feature of the program from BHSI’s perspective “A strong bond between the insurer and legal counsel is especially important in securities litigation,” said Critchell “In part because we as claims professionals add real value to the process particularly once settlement discussions commence Firms that recognize this smooth the entire process for their clients.” we work hand in hand with our claims teams in assessing the risks of securities litigation for our customers and we consider our claims professionals a major value add The law firms in our program understand this and actively partner with us.” getting the right firms on the preferred counsel program and involving BHSI early in conversations about the choice of defense firm is crucial “Having relationships with these law firms that extend through the life of the claim and beyond is important both on the claims and underwriting side we’re comfortable communicating with each other.” our familiarity and experience with these attorneys provides a level of comfort and confidence in the legal process,” Carroll concluded To learn more, visit: https://www.bhspecialty.com/ The information contained herein is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any product or service Any description set forth herein does not include all policy terms Please refer to the actual policy for complete details of coverage and exclusions This article was produced by the R&I Brand Studio a unit of the advertising department of Risk & Insurance in collaboration with Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance The editorial staff of Risk & Insurance had no role in its preparation Sign up for our R&I One weekly newsletter Search for shows online and experience them offline Il Tacco di Bacco is a tool designed to enhance the quality of our lives A fulfilling existence is built on authentic connections which we believe can only arise in the real world This is why we’ve created a guide to help you navigate We provide the means; you discover the purpose This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page and was eventually arrested in Croatia has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $7.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds pleaded guilty Tuesday in Orlando federal court to wire fraud aggravated identity theft and illegal monetary transaction 5 where could face up to 32 years in federal prison Cisternino has already agreed to forfeit the money from the fraud as well as any assets connected to the crimes Cisternino fraudulently secured more than $7.2 million in emergency funds through a Paycheck Protection Program loan in May 2020 Cisternino’s PPP loan application falsely claimed that his business had 441 employees and monthly payroll expenses in 2019 of more than $2.8 million The company actually had no employees other than Cisternino many of which listed the names and Social Security numbers of real people who had not authorized him to use their identities Cisternino spent it on a Lincoln Navigator a Mercedes-Benz and a 12,579 square-foot home in Seminole County your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics Dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries Deep dive conversations with business leaders Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society Europe's water is under increasing pressure floods are taking their toll on our drinking water Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters and to discover some of the best water solutions an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt Andrea Cisternino has been living in Ukraine for 13 years, not far from Kyiv, where he created his own award-winning animal shelter. We chat about his life and what his experience has been on the ground since the invasion began Originally a fashion photographer from Italy He tells us that they don't want to have to abandon the 400 animals they have rescued so far in his shelter Cisternino has already faced some hardship in his life he was targeted by ‘dog hunters’ looking to locate the animals for a reward the government was giving out licences and money to those who killed stray dogs the first tensions of the conflict in the Donbas erupted - and for the first time he thought he better accumulate provisions he didn’t believe a Russian invasion was possible Cisternino did not expect this would happen For the first time in his life he discovered the smell of gunpowder He doesn't speak like a member of the media it's just the strange normality of someone who's suddenly immersed in a war Not only does he speak of shooting or bomb shelters forming in supermarkets A life so different from other normal lives and yet similarly shaken by a sudden and incomprehensible war unfortunately this is the situation,” says the animal rescuer they destroyed a bridge so that Russians won't be able to cross We hear the Russian planes and the helicopters going to the Antonov airport (also known as Hostomel) which they took over and which is some 30 kms away from here.” “Usually they start shooting at 5.00 in the morning and go on until 8.00 but it's been happening for a couple of days we have been in this situation for a few days but it already feels like six months.” I started documenting what was happening during the 2012 Euros Championship then I decided to build an animal shelter and many things changed - my life changed." “It is an animal shelter that was initially for dogs Do you think you'll now need to shelter people - maybe fleeing from Kyiv Or maybe you'll have to escape yourself - what do you foresee but 400 animals is a huge number to transport anywhere “Also the shelter cost a lot for me - it was a sacrifice so it's not easy to leave everything behind You don't have any supply difficulties yet "I never imagined he (Putin) could bring about this madness I was already accumulating some extra provisions for the dogs the cats and the horses because of what happened in 2014 with the situation in the Donbas I’ve been trying to never find myself in the same situation but I was able to buy some stuff before everything was shut down.” Your shelter has had some problems in the past with locals because there was a dog hunt authorised by the government - are you more accepted now "Today we collaborate as a community - after three hard years I won my battle I even started a free sterilisation campaign and many came from the village They started understanding and they even apologised for the way they had been behaving I spoke to her on the phone just a few minutes ago She said she's been out shopping and for a stroll She wants to stay there in the city centre - and I'm here Your wife is in Kyiv and the situation is not easy there and some necessities must be difficult to find - people must be panicking and buying in bulk anyway there's the curfew from 10pm to 7am (sound of an incoming message on his phone as they haven't heard from me for a few hours and they're a bit worried There is no metro or anti-aircraft shelter the underground stations in the city are not really anti-aircraft shelters I don't know if they could resist a bombing.” Let's say so.” ("they" are his friends in Italy and elsewhere) This is a very difficult situation to comment on This morning I was looking out of the window 1 km away there was a mortar hit and I smelt gunpowder the important thing is that everything goes well Everyone here in the village is all at home Also because they wouldn't know where to go." "Now there are shots coming from two opposite sides the smoke is arising from the right and left But mainly they start from there (the airport) But now they're fighting not far from here So they are not just shots by the Russians against infrastructures - they are combat blows Original story published in Italian by Diego Malcangi “Quadro” is calling it a career at the age of 39 Written by Roger LockridgeLast updated on July 25th Fans in attendance at the 2021 Texas Pro bodybuilding show on August 14 witnessed the end of the career of a very popular athlete. IFBB Pro League 212 competitor Guy Cisternino took to the stage for the final time After performing his individual routine for the crowd announcer Bob Cicherillo turned the microphone over to Cisternino to formally announce his retirement The video was captured and shared on the Bodybuilders Without Borders Instagram page He began his statement by acknowledging the late John Meadows who worked as his coach at different points in his career A post shared by Daniel L (@bodybuilderswithoutborders) it was that my goal tonight was to be the best 39-year-old bodybuilder I could be.”  The 13-year veteran also had some parting words for the competitors that he shared the stage with that evening No matter what the trophy says in front of you Cisternino placed sixth in the Texas Pro contest TX caps a career that spanned 13 years as a professional beginning with his victory at the 2008 NPC Nationals which gave him his pro card for the IFBB Pro League A post shared by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀W Wittmann (@w_wittmannphoto) The first victory of Cisternino’s career came at the 2011 Europa Supershow 212 contest His most significant victories are his back-to-back New York Pro 212 wins in 2015 and 2016 He had to have shoulder surgery in 2018 but came back to win the 2019 Niagara Falls Pro 212 contest Roger "Rock" Lockridge has been writing professionally for 10 years and has been training for 20 His work in the fitness industry has been seen in numerous outlets and has been a part of coverage for several events including the Mr He's also shared his own personal success story in several interviews and articles Lockridge lives in West Virginia with his wife and son The views expressed on this site may come from individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the view of BarBend or any other organization BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting Copyright © 2025 · BarBend Inc · Sitemap 1);}}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-wjxay9-SquareButton{transition-property:background-color;transition-duration:0ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0 1);}}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-152q15n-SquareButton{transition-property:background-color;transition-duration:0ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0 1);}}.css-x340e0-SquareButton{margin:0;padding:0;display:inline-grid;-webkit-column-gap:8px;column-gap:8px;grid-template-columns:repeat(3 1);}}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-x340e0-SquareButton{transition-property:background-color;transition-duration:0ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0 1);}}.css-v6oqvx{margin:0;font-family:Lato,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:20px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0px;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-stretch:normal;padding:0.5px 0px;}.css-v6oqvx::before{content:'';margin-bottom:-0.4973em;display:block;}.css-v6oqvx::after{content:'';margin-top:-0.4463em;display:block;}Listen A failed lawyer and movie executive from Florida has been sentenced to 8½ years in prison for stealing $7.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds, which he used to buy luxury cars and a 12,500-square-foot mansion on a 12-acre estate. Alpert writes about the media and entertainment industries for MarketWatch He previously worked for the Wall Street Journal he was part of a WSJ team awarded the Pulitzer Prize for national reporting Andrew Cisternino was on watch on the morning that six of his crewmates drowned Harsh winds had raised Lake Ontario into a fury Andrew Cisternino happened to be on watch that morning in the tower of the Coast Guard station in Oswego he would have joined the crew on the picket boat that was being sent to the lighthouse in the Oswego harbor and then all of a sudden [Irving Ginsburg] is at the bottom of the stairs,” recalls Cisternino The rubber boots were under a chair by Cisternino’s bunk He jumped onto a picket boat with eight others from the Coast Guard A gale some called the “storm of the century” was blowing across the lake Dark green waves smashed into a breakwall and collided with the lighthouse They were attempting to rescue Karl Jackson who’d been marooned in the lighthouse by the churning lake decided to send a powerful picket boat across the harbor and the lighthouse was only a few minutes away Cisternino—who would earn both his business and law degrees from Syracuse University—usually served with the crew as a cook he was assigned that morning to the watch at the station on any other day: “I would have been on that boat.” he still contemplates everything that means leaving eight from the Coast Guard on the picket boat The boat had barely left the lighthouse when the engine died The churning water pulled the boat into the open lake Two men—Fred Ruff and John Mixon—managed to claw their way to safety on the ice-covered wall They could do nothing but watch as their six friends were carried away by the frigid water Ruff once told The Syracuse Post-Standard of what he saw the lighthouse keeper; and three others who served at the Coast Guard station: Leslie Holdsworth Cisternino lives in quiet retirement in King Ferry he wept when he spoke of the six men killed that day He said their courage should never be forgotten “They’re still in my mind,” Cisternino says While Cisternino downplays the nature of his role he was described as a hero in newspaper accounts of the disaster talks about the long-ago incident about which he still thinks often As soon as Coast Guard officers realized the picket boat had overturned a second crew of rescuers was sent out from the station They understood there was scant chance of finding survivors He hoped to recover the bodies of his friends He “had a rain coat on and the air got under the rain coat and kept him afloat,” Cisternino says He recalls Wilson as “a very respectful person a very wonderful guy,” who had a kind of father-like demeanor at the station Cisternino jumped into the freezing water and tried to retrieve his drowned commander “I had my arm around him at one time,” says Cisternino His only protection against the bitter storm was a life jacket The waves tore Wilson’s body from his grasp when his family received a telegraph about Cisternino’s condition his mother saw the deliveryman and “went berserk,” Cisternino says He didn’t remain at Oswego for long after the disaster The nation was barely a year into World War II He spent much of the war in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean serving on Coast Guard vessels that escorted military convoys It is never lost on him that everything good that happened in his long life might be gone if he had not been on watch in the tower Cisternino attended the old Blodgett Vocational High School Cisternino wore his Coast Guard uniform for the ceremony The young couple rented an attic flat and began raising their children “Nobody (else) in my family went to college,” he says He was part of the surge of veterans who arrived on campus in the late 1940s His name is on the wall right now at Bird Library where the University Archives has an exhibit called “Our Doors Opened Wide,” recalling the years following the war The most striking was a vast dining hall at Comstock and West Colvin avenues The exhibit mentions the winner: Cisternino He called the structure “The Quonsoteria.” he and Judy did their best with little money Cisternino made it through his undergraduate classes on the GI Bill tending bar and doing odd jobs to help feed his family Then he went straight on to earn a law degree Cisternino became a counsel for Allstate Insurance then returned to Central New York in retirement The greatest loss of his life occurred seven years ago his thoughts often return to the lighthouse They used to play catch with a football in Oswego They were together until the morning when Ginsburg asked about the boots the tragedy became a tale of such power that some claimed the lighthouse was haunted Coast Guard officials honored the six men killed on the picket boat the Coast Guard sent a boat to the lighthouse threw a life preserver and some flowers in the water he reflected on how a lifetime can come down to utter chance how one friend is ordered to stand watch while one gets on a boat “He was just a young man like myself,” Cisternino says of Irving Ginsburg Eyewitness to lighthouse tragedy from Mike Roy on Vimeo Olympic gold medalist and visionary executive Benita Fitzgerald Mosley says it has been her lifelong mission to help people win gold medals in business—and in life “My gold medal is the gift that keeps on giving,” Fitzgerald Mosley says Syracuse University Libraries recognized its student employees with an awards celebration on April 23 The Libraries typically employs around 150 undergraduate and graduate students each year to contribute to the safety of Libraries’ spaces the quality and repair of collections,… While Hannah Kang ’25 was growing up in Houston where she was born—pursuing a degree at Syracuse University was never on her radar a high school internship course found her shadowing renowned architect Jesse… In front of an audience of fellow undergraduates and History Department faculty Maxwell School junior Jorge Morales recently shared his research findings on the 2016 Rio Olympics—specifically the intersection of race and infrastructure in the event’s planning and legacy Syracuse University has been recognized as a STARS (Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System) Silver institution by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education STARS is a comprehensive rating system for colleges and universities to measure sustainability… If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu animal shelter owner Andrea Cisternino is refusing to leave his animals In the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the catastrophes that have followed, up to 1 million people have already evacuated the country. One person who won’t be joining them is Andrea Cisternino, an Italian national who owns an animal shelter in the capital city of Kyiv.  there is currently no way to safely evacuate them “I will die here for my animals”, said Andrea over on his Facebook page “I have to think about saving a refuge and its 400 guests who deserve to be protected at any cost.” Having moved to Ukraine about 13 years ago Andrea started his rescue work at a time when his work was frowned upon.  The government would offer a monetary reward to kill stray dogs and people did not necessarily understand the nature of his work people have become much more accepting of his rescue shelter.  While Cisternino was as shocked as anyone by the invasion of his country he has been stocking supplies ever since the conflict in Donbas in 2014.   Both he and his wife are choosing to stay in Kyiv to care for their animals despite hearing gunshots from 5am to 8pm everyday since the invasion began.  Andrea has been keeping his followers updated writing the following message on social media: “This morning the sky around the Refuge was red continuous artillery firing even through the night I saw 15 minutes ago an artillery shot falling far from the Refuge I heard military columns in the distance they moved We applaud the work that he is doing to help these animals stay safe and hope for a positive outcome for him and the rest of the population of Ukraine Since Vladimir Putin launched his senseless attack on Ukraine on February 24 the country and its people have suffered tremendously But as hateful acts ripped through the second-largest European country forcing light into an otherwise dark and horrific situation One of those sources of light has been the public’s love for a photographer who runs a farm animal sanctuary in Ukraine announced he will not be evacuating the country Cisternino says he is staying to care for his shelter’s 400 animal residents that he would “rather die” than leave them behind “I will die here for my animals… I have to think about saving the refuge and its 400 guests who deserve to be protected at any cost,” Cisternino wrote on his Facebook page It’s there that the animal-lover shares updates on his circumstances One clip shows Russian military helicopters flying overhead the shelter “There’s the curfew from 10 pm to 7 am, we have to turn everything off,” Cisternino said, per Euronews one kilometer away there was a mortar hit and I smelt gunpowder,” he explained He later added: “Now there are shots coming from two opposite sides But now they’re fighting not far from here Cisternino’s posts ceased on February 25, but a Facebook user wrote yesterday that they had spoken to his partner, Vlada. Vlada reportedly confirmed that Cisternino and the animals are safe, as well as three other people who are with them. Those interested can donate to the sanctuary here Similar scenes are unfolding elsewhere in Ukraine, with many people choosing to stay with their companion animals a software engineering student at Kharkiv National University intended to fly home to India with his family last week but changed his plans when he did not get clearance to bring his rescue dog “I decided then that if my dog can’t leave, I won’t either. I know that there is risk in staying on but I can’t just abandon him. Who will take care of him if I go?” Kaushik, whose family is now back in India, said to The Times of India “I have my family members to take care of me Nobody will take care of him if I leave him here,” he added I will take care of him no matter what happens.” Courageous volunteers at animal rescues are making similar sacrifices are working tirelessly to protect thousands of dogs These non-profits are in desperate need of food and other supplies; those interested in donating or contributing financially can head to their Instagram pages (linked above) for more information There is another list of charities at the bottom of this article Kyiv Zoo employees have also stayed behind to care for the facility’s roughly 4,000 animals with staff moving in to provide 24-hour supervision Nearby missile strikes and other forms of combat have been extremely distressing for the zoo’s inhabitants Elephants and other vulnerable species are being given sedatives during the missile strikes and shootings According to the Ukrainian animal rights organization UAnimals at least four shelters have been hit by Russian shelling Russian forces were shooting both people and animals at wild animal shelter The Ark the Best Friends Shelter has been completely destroyed by shelling with first reports stating that more than 1,000 dogs died in the resulting fire It was confirmed today that workers at the facility were able to open the cages so that dogs and cats could escape (although The dogs who left are now running around outside of the shelter amongst “constant shelling” with no food or water Residents at the Gostomel animal shelter also suffered with multiple animals dying from heart attacks due to nearby explosions and homeless animals living nearby the rescue have also died Thousands more remain at risk; there are an estimated 50,000 stray animals living in Ukraine One million people have fled Ukraine since Russia’s invasion according to the United Nations’ refugee agency many are forced to make a decision between staying in the warzone or leaving their companion animals behind the European Commission has advised all 27 EU Member States to loosen their veterinary paperwork requirements for pets so that those with companion animals can cross borders more easily to seek refuge.  Animal rights charity Humane Society International/Europe (HSI) commended the “precedent setting” and “compassionate” sentiment “We are deeply concerned for the people and animals impacted by Russia’s military action in Ukraine and so we welcome the European Commission’s recognition that people fleeing the conflict care deeply about their companion animals as beloved members of their family and will want to keep them safe,” Tombrock said in a statement sent to Plant Based News “Those seeking refuge will be greatly relieved to know that they can make evacuation plans to EU countries with their pets without unnecessary delay This is a precedent-setting compassionate stance from the EU that we very much hope will be replicated around the world during similar conflict situations “People should not have to jeopardize their own safety in efforts to prevent their animals from being left behind to fend for themselves.”   and Slovakia have all relaxed entry restrictions in order to assist those who need it thought to be the world’s largest animal rights organization is one of the many working tirelessly to assist people and animals in Ukraine.  A team from PETA Germany traveled to the Polish and Romanian borders to provide on-the-ground assistance The non-profit has picked up at least six refugees as well as dogs and cats One “caring guardian” had carried her cat Crimsee more than 37 miles out of the warzone the woman “was so exhausted that she could barely stand.” PETA Germany is also helping deliver supplies like blankets and coordinating the drop-off of 40,000 pounds of pet food to shelters in Ukraine.  The animal rights charity has also released a video report on the situation in Ukraine in collaboration with vegan streaming service UnchainedTV You can donate to PETA here IFAW is providing emergency aid to Shelter Pif – located in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine which is home to more than 800 dogs – and the Holivka Shelter located in Gorlovka in eastern Ukraine with 300 dogs The latter rescue was recently hit by shelling staff have remained at the facility to continue caring for the animals You can donate to IFAW here manages White Rock Bear Shelter which rescues bears suffering in private zoos and circuses The team are now working relentlessly to save as many animals as possible from the disaster in Ukraine Lending their support to fellow rescue centers White Rock Bear Shelter has helped transport several lions and tigers The animals were transported from Wild Animal Rescue to a Zoo Poznań in Poland for temporary shelter. It was uncertain whether the animals would make it to the Polish border, when “tragic news” emerged that Russian tanks had surrounded the convoy, the zoo wrote on Facebook But the animals “miraculously survived the transport through the area covered by war and fire,” the zoo said It added that the animals “are a symbol of saving life especially when we witness war crimes committed against people and animals in Ukraine.” You can donate to Save the Wild and White Rock Bear Shelter here Providing support to shelters in need across Ukraine UAnimals has sent supplies to at least 14 facilities so far You can donate to UAnimals here And a list of resources for those fleeing Ukraine with their pets can be found here We know it can be hard to keep cooking up tasty Browse our selection of vegan recipes below "Florida man" strikes again Don Cisternino of Bradenton, Florida, was indicted this week in federal court after being accused of spending $7.2 million of funds from the Paycheck Protection Program to purchase a seven-bedroom mansion and three luxury vehicles Cisternino was indicted on two counts of wire fraud, three counts of aggravated identity theft and three counts of illegal monetary transaction, according to a report from WKMG In July, Cisternino and his girlfriend, Lori Quasky, purchased the Chuluota, Florida, mansion after he was investigated for using fake information to get a loan for his business, known as MagnifiCo Inc., the Orlando Sentinel said Records show Cisternino established MagnifiCo in 2014 MagnifiCo was listed as a consulting company with few or no employees and had no website Cisternino is accused of saying the company had 441 employees with an average monthly payroll of $2.88 million According to his IMDB profile "Don Victor Cisternino is the founder and principal of MagnifiCo and other services across a variety of sectors including arts & entertainment." Records show he applied for the PPP loan established as part of the federal CARES Act relief bill. PPP loans, according to NerdWallet are meant to help small businesses with payroll and operating costs such as rent and utilities during the coronavirus crisis Prosecutors said Cisternino is accused of using the money to buy a Maserati a $251,000 Mercedes-Benz and a $3.1 million home in Chuluota The Zillow listing for the mansion boasts a “bunk room” with four bunkbeds for sleepovers, a private library with spiral staircase, a fitness center and tennis courts, the New York Daily News said. sampling his father's favourite drink Gino's Italy: Secrets of the SouthAudio DescriptionSSubtitlesDocumentaries & Lifestyle1h1 Matera - Gino D'Acampo explores the food secrets of Italy's deep south in Puglia and Basilicata Sign up below to receive our newest workout routines With the right plan and the right discipline you can get seriously shredded in just 28 days "Big Bill" shares his wisdom to dominate one of the ultimate strength marks Follow these fit women we're crushing on for inspiration As told by Guy Cisternino " I was driving into Long Island for work on Thursday mid morning There was a bucket truck driving in the middle lane  The driver was talking on his cell phone (illegal in the state of NJ without a hands fee) and he was lost so he wanted to turn around on the main highway  As I came up along side of him he cut into my lane and hit his breaks trying to make an illegal left hand turn on the main highway and I had no time to stop and I drove right into the back of his truck and some neck and back pains from the impact I was lucky to escape alive as the paramedics put it  When the cops arrived they asked how many times my car flipped because of the extensive damage  I told them it never flipped that was just from the impact the entire dashboard separated and landed on my legs and the air bag disengaged on the driver side  All in all it was one of the scariest moments of my life that I will never forget Flex Online wishes Guy Cisternino a speedy recovery.  Post on his Facebook and show your support The big man will take to the stage at the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro The work behind the scenes is what separates champions from also-rans Here’s a IFBB pro's take on how to stimulate the medial deltoids Don Cisternino previously begged the Irish government for political asylum to avoid facing charges Don Victor Cisternino's home bought with the proceeds of crime Clodagh MeaneySunday WorldSat 14 Jan 2023 at 19:24A Florida man who tried to claim asylum in Ireland has been jailed for stealing €6.6 million ($7.2 million) in Covid funds previously sought political asylum in Ireland as he faced extradition to the United States from Croatia to face the charges He was handed down an eight and a half year prison term for wire fraud and identity theft prosecutors said that the 47-year-old made fake claims that his company had a payroll over over $2.8 million which led the government to approve him for an emergency loan of $7.2 million during the Covid-19 pandemic He claimed that he owned a film production and marketing business that had 441 employees Cisternino allegedly used the money to buy luxury cars and a 12,500-square-foot $3.5 million mansion on a 12-acre estate The seven-bedroom home had a movie theatre Before receiving the emergency pandemic funds court records showed that the Florida man was living in a “modest apartment” in Tampa with his girlfriend He reportedly spent $251,000 on a Mercedes-Maybach S650X $90,000 on a Lincoln Navigator and paid off a $48,000 loan for a Maserati investigators were tipped off that Cisternino misspent the money He reportedly travelled across Europe for three months before being arrested in Croatia An international warrant was issued for his arrest and he was caught after he tried to enter the country from Slovenia begging the Irish government to grant him asylum but he was ultimately unsuccessful Don Cisternino pleaded guilty at a federal court in Orlando to wire fraud and identity-theft Cisternino agreed to forfeit the $7.2 million in proceeds that he had obtained through the wire fraud residence and approximately $1.1 million in funds held in bank accounts controlled by him or his associates Please check your inbox to verify your details Now download the free app for all the latest Sunday World News, Crime, Irish Showbiz and Sport. Available on Apple and Android devices Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. Andrea Cisterno owns an animal rescue shelter in Kyiv and hasn’t left since the crisis broke out I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A man in Ukraine has been called a “hero” for choosing to stay with the 400 animals in his shelter in Kyiv despite Russian invasion of the country Andrea Cisternino, a former photographer turned animal rescue owner from Rome, Italy said he would ‘rather die’ then leave the animals Cisternino has been sharing updates on his situation to his 66,000 followers In a post on 24 February - the day Russian president Vladimir Putin began his invasion of Ukraine - he said: “I will die here for my animals… I have to think about saving a refuge and it’s 400 guests who deserve to be protected at any cost.” Despite seeing Russian military helicopters flying near and over his shelter, Cisternino has remained and has been posting regular updates on himself and his animals. In one post from the first night of the invasion, he said: “Here the is curfew from 10pm to 7pm, everything is shut off, sheltering in the dark, houses with few lights, dark here, more explosions a little while ago, let’s hope for a peaceful night.” He accompanied it with an image of himself and one of the pigs staying at his shelter. Cisternino last posted on 25 February, where he thanked his followers for their support amidst the ongoing crisis. He has been described as a “hero” by his supporters. One user said: “All our solidarity, your pain is ours and we hope that all this absurdity will cease out of respect for human lives.” According to an update from another Facebook user, Cisternino and his wife and three other people seeking refuge at the sanctuary are “fine” despite surrounding fighting and have supplies for themselves and their animals. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies 20204:04 PM UTCItalian restaurant owner and his family grapple with lockdownInside the Perrini family home in Cisternino as they contend with Italy's strict lockdown measures two young daughters studying at home and managing three restaurants and a bar that can't fully open until June 1 [1/32]Vanna Angelini shaves her husband Daniele Perrini's hair in their bathroom at home as hairdressers remain closed in the small southern historical town of Cisternino REUTERS/Alessandro GarofaloShare this photo [2/32]Daniele Perrini plays on the couch with his wife Vanna and daughters Martina and Michela in their home in Cisternino [3/32]Michela Perrini sits on a bed at her home in Cisternino [5/32]Michela Perrini lays on her bed at her home [6/32]Daniele Perrini walks his dog as his daughter Michela Perrini cycles near their home in Cisternino REUTERS/Alessandro GarofaloShare this photo [8/32]The Perrini family uses a mobile phone and laptop to make a video call to celebrate Easter Monday with their family members during a lockdown in Cisternino [9/32]The Perrini family uses a mobile phone and laptop to make a video call to celebrate Easter Monday with their family members during a lockdown in Cisternino Daniele Perrini is reflected in a mirror at his "20mq Panini e Poi" restaurant in Cisternino [11/32]Daniele Perrini is seen at his "20mq Panini e Poi" restaurant in Cisternino [12/32]Daniele Perrini waits to deliver food from his "20mq Panini e Poi" restaurant in Cisternino [13/32]Envelopes reading: "Everything will be ok" are pictured on a table before being given to customers along with their home delivery food from the "20mq Panini e Poi" restaurant owned by Daniele Perrini in Cisternino [14/32]Daniele Perrini delivers food made at his "20mq Panini e Poi" restaurant to his father Antonio in Cisternino [15/32]An empty "20mq Panini e Poi" restaurant is pictured in the small southern historical town of Cisternino holds bags with bread at their  "20mq Panini e Poi" restaurant holds goods as he walks to his "20mq Panini e Poi" restaurant to prepare delivery food in Cisternino 2020.REUTERS/Alessandro GarofaloShare this photo [18/32]Vanna Angelini talks on the phone at home jumps as her parents Daniele and Vanna and her sister Michela Perrini family have dealt with Italy's strict lockdown measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with two young daughters studying at home More in this CollectionSee all picturesItem 21 of 32 Michela Perrini looks at her cat from her house in Cisternino REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo[21/32]Michela Perrini looks at her cat from her house in Cisternino REUTERS/Alessandro GarofaloShare this gallery , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved who has five children attending Noblesville Schools, is taking this school year day by day She's making sure her kids stay healthy and are wearing their masks She's staying updated on the lastest information from the district “I’m just crossing my fingers that it works," Cisternino said, "and they can stay open." Students in Noblesville are the first in Hamilton County to return to school and a majority are attending classes in person The district started school Tuesday with approximately 90% of students expected in-person per Noblesville Schools spokesperson Marnie Cooke Noblesville had nearly 10,700 students last school year Families had the option of both in-person and fully virtual classes Students in middle and high school who chose in-person will be on a hybrid schedule of 50% in-person and 50% virtual While the difficulty of deciding how to attend school — in-person or virtual — varied for the Noblesville parents who spoke to IndyStar parents expressed cautious optimism about the upcoming school year Back in Noblesville classroomsChoosing between in-person and virtual instruction for her second grader wasn't easy for Breanne Hawk “It was one of the hardest decisions,” Hawk said, "that I think I have ever had to make for her." She said the decision came down to trusting that the school system can follow all the guidelines and knowing that in-person learning and being around other students was the most beneficial to her daughter’s education Hawk said the district has been very clear about protocols such as increased cleaning and assigned seats on the bus and in the cafeteria.  Study Hall: Our subscriber-exclusive newsletter filled with local education news “They have been as transparent as possible,” she said adding that the district has answered as much as it could for parents “There are things they are going to be learning.” While she and other parents praised the district's communication Hawk added that she still has concerns and questions especially about what happens when a student tests positive for COVID-19 and how to make sure that teachers stay safe and healthy Cisternino agreed that communication from the district helped her have a sense of what the first day would be like for her students and she was impressed by the district's plan the decision to return to in-person learning wasn't as difficult Cooke said social distancing and mask wearing went smoothly and as planned. She added that the district is reaching out to staff to ask if any adjustments need to be made The willingness of families and teachers to return to school buildings has been the big question this summer for schools around the state and per a survey by Noblesville Schools the district knew in June and July that a majority would attend in-person According to a district survey in June and July 93% of parents said they planned on in-person learning and 68% planned to have their child ride the bus Noblesville Schools added that there were 11,063 responses and the district has 10,400 students so some students are likely double-counted in those results Because of those survey results, the district decided on the hybrid schedule for the oldest students in order to improve social distancing Middle schools will attend in-person every other day and high schoolers will do two days in-person and then two days virtually Two of Cisternino's five kids are in high school and she said she's glad that the hybrid schedule allows them to be in the school at least sometimes Cooke said that some asked about COVID-19 related personal leaves Noblesville did push the start of school back by one day in order to give teachers and staff more time to prepare classrooms and materials Several other districts around central Indiana have pushed back their start dates or opted to start the year completely virtual or with a hybrid option Noblesville did not allow journalists in the schools for the first day and the Noblesville Teachers' Forum did not respond to an interview request from IndyStar Roughly 10% of students are attending Noblesville Schools virtually families must commit to all online for at least nine weeks Elementary students will be in an online classroom led by a district teacher and will have both virtual instruction and pre-recorded lessons.  Middle and high school students will use a software platform for online instruction and their progress will be monitored by a district teacher High schools will also have AP and dual credit courses through Indiana Online Academy Hannah McCoy decided to send her first grader to school virtually this year It was a decision to minimize the risk for one of her other children who has an immune deficiency disease.  She said it was an easy decision to make to keep her children safe and will keep her student at home all year as long as there are still cases McCoy said the first day of school was stressful but better than doing eLearning in the spring after districts closed their buildings While the last of the information about the first day didn’t come until yesterday she said she could tell that teachers put work in and are more knowledgable about virtual learning now Next up she said is figuring out how she can be in contact with the support team from the district “It’s still basically like being in school they still have to be in front of the iPad,” McCoy said adding that her daughter has an iPad from the district Of the six public school districts in the county, only Hamilton Southeastern — which is the largest in Hamilton County with roughly 22,000 students — opted to start the year all virtually and will stay that way through at least Labor Day What if there's a positive test in a Noblesville school?As of Tuesday afternoon there were no positive tests from Noblesville students or staff Noblesville Schools outlined its planned response to COVID-19 symptoms and confirmed cases in its reopening plan all parents and staff will be notified by the district if there is a positive test in their building. However not everyone in the building will necessarily be impacted. It may be that just a classroom or a portion of a school closes Noblesville also put protocols in place to aid contract tracing, such as assigned seats keeping younger students with just the students in their class and using the hybrid schedule for older students The district said anyone who has any symptoms of illness can be excluded from school buildings and put it on parents to monitor their children's' health must sign an "expectation agreement" that says they are committed to making sure their child is symptom-free before sending them to school Staff are required to daily self-screens for symptoms loss of taste or smell or two or more symptoms of COVID-19 Students also can't come to school if someone they live with has an outstanding COVID-19 test or tests positive.  In the case of a positive test of a student or staff member of Noblesville Schools the district said it will follow the direction of the Hamilton County Health Department which could include moving to virtual instruction The person who tests positive will not be able to return to school until these conditions are met: Call IndyStar education reporter MJ Slaby at 317-447-1586 or email her at mslaby@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @mjslaby the traditional "March for Peace - Along the Steps of Venerable Francesco Convertini" was held The communities of Locorotondo and Cisternino met around the large oak tree in the contrada Marinelli neighborhood to live a moment of reflection and sharing together this event inspired by Pope Francis' message for World Day of Peace 2023: "No one can be saved alone Several appointments were scheduled to honor the memory of Fr Postulator General for the Causes of the Saints of the Salesian Family: there was a meeting with the students of the First Grade Secondary School on Friday and school groups from Locorotondo and Cisternino produced several papers in tune with the theme of the peace march a conference-debate was held entitled "Tales of War Pathways to Peace," organized in collaboration with students from the Liceo Polivalente "don Quirico Punzi" secondary school in Cisternino It was a panel discussion on war and its consequences and possible paths for the daily construction of a possible peace who has always been on the front lines on the hot fronts of a tormented world; Dino Alberto Mangialardi who for "Amnesty International" deals with human rights and their violations in times and contexts of war; Maria Ancona president of "Associazione SUD," committed to international cooperation through the implementation of youth policies and cultural exchanges at the European level; and finally Fr Francesco Convertini as a sower of peace and reconciliation in a multi-religious context such as the one in which he lived his mission in Bengal the Dies Natalis of Venerable Francesco Convertini there was a Marian vigil "Take Care of Him" in the liturgical memory of Our Lord of Lourdes animated by the Unitalsi of Locorotondo and Cisternino Cameroni recalled that this year marks the centenary of Francesco Convertini's decision to be a Salesian missionary In 1923 on the day the departing missionaries received the crucifix in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin the young Convertini was very touched by the event and when asked by his spiritual guide Fr if he would like to be a missionary himself entering the missionary aspirantate in Ivrea a few months later The march is intended to remember this missionary Salesian figure and "attacks" on the dignity of men and women are persistent and visible it served to renew commitment on the path of Peace and harmonious sharing among peoples ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007 This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements Page has joined Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott as a member of the utilities Rob Andrejewski is director of sustainability for the University of Richmond Ned Oliver has joined the Richmond Times-Dispatch as a reporter covering Chesterfield County He was previously a staff reporter at Style Weekly David Blanchard has joined Digital Benefit Advisors as a principal and regional director of strategic client service Reams and Eddie Terzimehic have been promoted to vice presidents at Davenport & Co Vance Saunders have been promoted to directors Shoulders is a member of the consumer and industrial products group Saunders is a member of the downstream energy and retail group LoPresti has been promoted to associate in the Matrix downstream energy and retail group Endom has joined Matrix healthcare group as a senior associate He has degrees from the University of Richmond and the University of Virginia Christine Fleming Cisternino has joined Core Consulting as vice president of business development and strategy She has degrees from Virginia Tech and Virginia Commonwealth University Paul Evans has joined UMFS as its new communications coordinator This story is for our paid subscribers only Please become one of the thousands of BizSense Pro readers today Renew now by choosing a subscription below YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR A 1 YEAR MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL AT THE RATE IN EFFECT AT THAT TIME UNLESS YOU CANCEL YOUR MEMBERSHIP BY LOGGING IN OR BY CONTACTING SUPPORT@BUSINESSDEN.COM ALL CHARGES FOR MONTHLY OR ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS ARE NONREFUNDABLE EACH MEMBERSHIP WILL ONLY FUNCTION ON UP TO 3 MACHINES ACCOUNTS ABUSING THAT LIMIT WILL BE DISCONTINUED FOR ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP PLEASE EMAIL SUPPORT@BUSINESSDEN.COM Linda Dunham joined BizSense in May 2014 as research editor She previously worked at the Richmond Times-Dispatch She attended the University of Louisville and Virginia Commonwealth University Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" © 2025 Richmond BizSense - All Rights Reserved Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now × .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Marisa Vinciguerra | mvincigu@siadvance.comSTATEN ISLAND was the setting March 27 for the marriage of Samantha Bartlett of Great Kills and Vincent Cisternino of Prince's Bay A reception followed in The Estate of the Florentine Gardens N.J.The bride is a daughter of Stephanie and John Bartlett The bridegroom is a son of Angela and Thomas Cisternino.The bride was given in marriage by her father and chose her sister Tara Cormican and Alexandra Serrat were the bridesmaids Khloe Simpson was the flower girl.Michael Battiato and Nicholas Giacomo were the best men She earned a bachelor of science degree in communication sciences and disorders from Kean University and is pursuing a master of science degree in speech language pathology from Long Island University-Brooklyn She is a paraprofessional with New York City Department of education in Graniteville.Mr Cisternino is a graduate of Tottenville High School in business administration from the State University at Albany (N.Y.) and is pursuing a master of science degree in business administration from New York University-Stern School of Business He is an underwriting manager with STARR-Companies The newlyweds spent their honeymoon in Hawaii Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices While many people are fleeing Ukraine amid the Russian invasion Andrea Cisternino runs an animal shelter in Kyiv He has over 400 animals in his care including dogs He currently has no way to transport all the animals to safety so he has vowed to stay with them during these dark times Cisternino knows that staying in Kyiv puts his life at risk but he says he’d rather die than abandon all the animals He has spent years rescuing animals in need Cisternino is an Italian photographer who moved to Ukraine about 13 years ago He ended up marrying a Ukrainian woman and starting a rescue to save the stray animals in the country the government was even giving people rewards for killing stray dogs But now that people have a better understanding of the work Cisternino does for animals in need they’ve been more accepting of his rescue I have to think about saving a refuge and its 400 guests who deserve to be protected at any cost,” Cisternino said Cisternino never expected something so horrific to happen out of the blue After the conflict in Donbas several years ago He kept his extra supplies all this time just in case something went wrong Planning ahead might have saved the animals’ lives Many people have reached out to Cisternino via social media to make sure he’s okay He explained that he doesn’t have time to respond to every message but he posts updates as much as he can to let his 70,600 followers know he’s alive He has shared photos of himself with the animals along with a video of Russian helicopters flying over his property “This morning the sky around the Refuge was red planes flew by,” Cisternino wrote on Facebook Cisternino will stay by his animals’ sides no matter what he will keep being a hero for his four-legged companions The men thought they were rescuing a drowning 'dog' But when a completely different creature climbed up A Pennsylvania funeral director is accused of dumping thousands of pet bodies and giving fake ashes to grieving owners Interested in learning even more about all things dogs Get your paws on more great content from iHeartDogs We appreciate your business and support! Please allow us to assist you due to the size of your order. Please contact orders@iheartdogs.com to finalize your transaction ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " (ANS – Cisternino) – From February 5th to 12th the towns of Locorotondo (Bari) and Cisternino (Brindisi) lived a week of celebrations with great attendance of people on the occasion of the declaration on behalf of Pope Francis of the Venerability of Fr a Salesian missionary in India (1898-1976) with the march for peace and ended at Pala Convertini in Cisternino with a solemn concelebration of thanksgiving Rector of the Lateran Pontifical University particularly from the towns of Cisternino and Locorotondo with the respective parish priests and mayors the General Postulator of the Causes of Saints of the Salesian Family and the Salesian Provincial of Southern Italy with several representatives of the Salesian Family It is also worth mentioning that initiatives were promoted by associations on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the death of the Salesian missionary the community of Locorotondo celebrated the Venerability of their fellow citizen with a thanksgiving Mass presided over by Fr where little Francesco was baptized in 1898 in the parish churches of Cisternino and Locorotondo Cameroni presented the new publication “Il Venerabile Francesco Convertini missionario della misericordia” (Venerable Francesco Convertini which illustrates the spiritual and virtuous traits of the new venerable with a transparent face and a heart rich in goodness and empathy Convertini is highly topical with reference to the ministry of families towards whom the great missionary had an apostolic openness; with reference to inter-religious dialogue with his testimony of being capable to meet Hindus and Muslims; and with reference to reconciliation and peace of which he was a great worker and an untiring messenger Iain Valliere (Photo Credit: YouTube: Fouad Abiad Media Instagram: @nick_walker39 @dereklunsford_) Predictions for the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro are rolling in Retired bodybuilding Pros Iain Valliere and Guy Cisternino recently sat down to offer their official picks for the event with both picking a different winner.  The table is set for an epic showdown as the Men’s Open roster is stacked with big-name bodybuilders. Among the favorites is Derek Lunsford, a former two-division Mr. Olympia champ. He won the 2025 Arnold Classic against Samson Dauda giving him huge momentum ahead of the contest he’ll have to nail his peak perfectly to prevent the other contenders from pulling off a big upset.  A post shared by Derek Lunsford (@dereklunsford_) Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter and the support you need to reach your goals and a whole lot of motivation heading your way It’s essentially a mini Olympia lineup. Bodybuilding coach Chris Aceto, who oversees Lunsford’s training, has already deemed it the show of the year As one of the tougher competitions to call a winner ahead of time Valliere and Cisternino did their best below.  Valliere and Cisternino dropped their official picks below courtesy of the latest Bro Chat podcast aired on YouTube.  Valliere backed Lunsford to emerge victorious in a close battle against ‘The Mutant.’ Though Guy Cisternino who co-hosts the Mutant and the Mouth podcast made it clear that Walker has more than enough tools to leave Pittsburgh with the hard-fought victory and his golden ticket to the Mr and the team here at Fitness Volt will have live coverage to keep fans up to date on the action.  RELATED: Jay Cutler Expects Derek Lunsford to ‘Set a New Standard’ in Pittsburgh, Says the Bigger He Is, ‘The More Dangerous He Gets’ If you have any questions about this news, please feel free to contact Doug by leaving a comment below At Fitness Volt, our mission is to empower every individual on their fitness journey by providing expert advice, the latest research, and comprehensive resources. Whether you are a beginner or an elite athlete, we are here to support your goals with trustworthy and up-to-date information in strength, fitness, and nutrition. Read more Email: [email protected] About Us | Careers | Contact Form Guy Cisternino (Photo Credit: Instagram @guycisternino @mattjansen8 @jeffnippard) Retired IFBB Pro Guy Cisternino is clearing the air addressing a handful of pressing matters plaguing the bodybuilding community In a recent Instagram reel shared on October 23 Cisternino gave his thoughts on Jeff Nippard being assaulted by Mike Van Wyck He also defended Matt Jansen in the wake of his coaching controversy and Nick Walker’s potential as a top-tier Open contender The sport of bodybuilding has been downright chaotic as of late. Prolific fitness YouTuber Jeff Nippard was assaulted by mass monster Mike Van Wyck at the Pure Muscle and Fitness Gym in Canada. Van Wyck jabbed him in the throat twice Nippard later went to the hospital and underwent a CT scan to rule out any head injuries. In the aftermath, Mike Van Wyck was not only banned from the gym location but was slapped with two counts of assault That’s just the tip of the iceberg. High-profile bodybuilding coach Matt Jansen, who oversaw Nick Walker’s, Brett Wilkin’s, Shaun Clarida’s, and Justin Shier’s preparations, decided to switch gears prompting all of his athletes to no longer work with him.  The coaching controversy has engulfed the bodybuilding community as fans are curious if Nick Walker can successfully bounce back after withdrawing from the Mr. Olympia contest for two consecutive years. With so much to process, Guy Cisternino gave his two cents on these current events. To begin his rant, Guy Cisternino gave his thoughts on Jeff Nippard being assaulted by Van Wyck. While he doesn’t believe Van Wyck had the right to put his hands on Nippard, he believes the science-based YouTuber was ‘ridiculous’ for posting a hospital selfie and going to the police.  Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free! Expect expert-backed workouts, nutrition advice, the latest in strength sports, and a whole lot of motivation heading your way. “First and foremost, I don’t agree with somebody putting their hands on anybody. And I’m not going to get into the Mike and Jeff stuff. “I don’t think that should have happened. However, I also don’t think going to the emergency room, taking selfies, and going to the police is also a little dramatic. I think it’s a little ridiculous. But, you know, I do follow Jeff, and Mike’s my boy, so I’m not going to go much into detail on that topic.” A post shared by Matt Jansen (@mattjansen8) Cisternino decided to shed some light on the Matt Jansen coaching controversy He believes these athletes chose to work with Jansen and that he is not fully responsible for their bodybuilding performances.  Furthermore, okay, in regards to Nick Walker, Shaun Clarita, Brett, Justin, Matt, okay, number one, as a bodybuilder, you make the call on what coach you want to work with, okay? “Nobody forces you to work with somebody. So all those guys chose to work with Matt, okay? Allowing somebody to take the reins and control your diet, or your cardio, or your supplement regimen, whatever the case may be, that’s their choice. So right off the bat, it’s 50% on the athletes, because that’s who they chose to work with.” Given the success that Jansen and his athletes have had over the years, Cisternino believes it’s wrong to blame him wholeheartedly.  “Nick has won an Arnold, New York Pro, top three at the Olympia. Matt misses one year with his guys, one fucking year, and you guys got to pin him to a fucking cross?” “Are you serious? Matt is a great human being. Regardless if you like his drug protocols, regardless if you like what he does, if you like his athletes, whatever the fucking case may be, that’s a hard-working motherfucker that balanced a life, a family, businesses, clients. And maybe he didn’t do that good of a job this year because he started doing stuff for himself” Cisternino said.  He also called out fans for dismissing Nick Walker after ‘The Mutant’ was forced to remove himself from the past two Mr. Olympias.  “The motherfucker backed out of one Olympia, one show, one, because he tore his hamstring and his fucking leg looked like a stuck pig. And you guys want to sit here and say he’s all talk.”  A post shared by Guy Cisternino Jr (@guycisternino) The bodybuilding community continues to see drastic changes leaving followers of the sport wondering what’s to come After hearing Guy Cisternino’s thoughts do you agree with his opinion regarding Jeff Nippard’s assault Nick Walker being dismissed by fans and Matt Jansen’s controversy RELATED: Jeff Nippard Weighs Pros and Cons of Steroid Use, Reveals If It Stunts Brain Growth and Reduces Lifespan If you have any questions about this news, please feel free to contact Belinda Evans by leaving a comment below Email: [email protected] Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network by Published on Jun 25 Flex Wheeler continues to battle health issues since retiring from competitive bodybuilding He has kept his fans updated with his conditions over the years and now he is preaching for the world to come together during difficult times On Saturday, Wheeler shared a private message sent to him from Guy Cisternino offering one of his kidneys for a transplant READ MORE: Flex Wheeler Gives Update From Hospital Since his career ended, Wheeler has dealt with many injuries. In 2003, Wheeler underwent nine surgeries that almost cost him his life. In 2019, he suffered a medical complication and this led to having his right leg amputated. Recently, he shared that his kidneys were failing he shared another update about his current situation about his back pain Flex Wheeler contracted COVID-19 at its height and spent time in the hospital to recover This led to being hospitalized with acute kidney failure He went through a kidney transplant nearly two decades ago but his donated kidney began showing signs of failure Guy Cisternino learned about this and wanted to know what he could do “I didn’t know and never knew that ur one kidney is that bad Tell me what I need to do to get checked to see if I’m a match I’m old and retired I don’t need 2 kidneys I rather my friend is on this Earth longer than dead bc he didn’t get a kidney So whatever I gotta do to get checked I’ll do it this week.” A post shared by Body Transformation Coach FLEX WHEELER (@officialflexwheeler) Flex Wheeler shared a post discussing the generous offer made by Cisternino he called for the bodybuilding community to come together while sharing his story I’ve struggled to see my own worth and place in this world questioning my right to exist among those who shine so brightly unexpected rays of light like the kindness of people like you and Guy Cisternino break through the darkness They remind me that negativity is a deception.” Cisternino responded to this post in the comment section writing “friend for life Wheeler ended his post by calling for those to be honest about their current situations “It’s time to break free from the lies I’ve been telling myself It’s time for us all to be honest about our struggles and seek support when needed.” For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Greg has covered the four major sports for six years and has been featured on sites such as Sports Illustrated he is transitioning into the world of bodybuilding and strength sports Generation Iron is the first and only digital network delivering health We deliver premium content with the biggest names in fitness and provide expert coverage workout tips and trends in the worlds of fitness Generation Iron Brands LLC134 West 29th Street Suite 902New York, NY 10001Email: [email protected] © 2025 · Generation Iron · Disclaimers · Privacy Policy · Accessibility Flex Wheeler (Photo Credit: Instagram @guycisternino @officialflexwheeler) What makes the bodybuilding community so wonderful is how we all manage to come together in tough times That sentiment was on full display recently after Guy Cisternino offered to donate one of his kidneys to Flex Wheeler who continues to battle for his health following a litany of health issues that have affected his quality of life.  Flex Wheeler led an incredibly successful Professional Men’s Open bodybuilder career Wheeler still cemented his legacy by becoming a four-time Arnold Classic winner his accomplishments weren’t without sacrifice considering Wheeler has suffered from several health concerns over the last few decades.  Wheeler was involved in a car accident in 1994 that ultimately led to the diagnosis of hereditary kidney disease. In 2003, Flex Wheeler had no choice but to get a kidney transplant. However, recently, Wheeler spoke out about his experience and revealed that in 2003, he went through nine surgeries total, sharing that he ‘almost died.’  A post shared by Arnold Sports Festival presented by KSM-66 (@arnoldsports) In 2022, Flex Wheeler was forced to go into surgery to repair the left rotator cuff in his shoulder, but after the procedure, he was left in immense pain. Once again, Wheeler’s donated kidney began showing signs of distress. After nearly 20 years, his kidneys are showing signs of failure.  Despite the turmoil Flex Wheeler has dealt with throughout his life and fans are always rallying for him and showing their support Wheeler revealed that one of his close friends offered to get checked to see if he was a match to donate his kidney.  “I didn’t know and never knew that ur one kidney is that bad. Tell me what I need to do to get checked to see if I’m a match. I’m old and retired I don’t need 2 kidneys I rather my friend is on this Earth longer than dead bc he didn’t get a kidney. So whatever I gotta do to get checked I’ll do it this week” Cisternino wrote.  In response to this private message, Flex Wheeler shared his gratitude with all his fans on Instagram.  some of us are truly out here trying to save lives. You guys think we’re just pushing pills 💊. Have a look at this message from my lil homie @guycisternino” Additionally, Flex Wheeler opened up about his struggles and revealed how kind acts, such as Guy Cisternino offering his kidney, help put his life into perspective.  “Every individual experiences a unique journey with their mental health, each one as diverse and vibrant as the colors of a rainbow. At times, I’ve struggled to see my own worth and place in this world. I’ve felt like a mere bystander, questioning my right to exist among those who shine so brightly. But then, unexpected rays of light like the kindness of people like you and Guy Cisternino break through the darkness. They remind me that negativity is a deception.” Wheeler is taking this opportunity to remember that it is okay to not be okay and ask for help. He also encourages his fans to join him as he tries to make the world a better place.  “It’s time to break free from the lies I’ve been telling myself. It’s time for us all to be honest about our struggles and seek support when needed. Saying ‘I’m okay’ when we’re not is a common shield we use. Let’s embrace honesty and reach out for help without fear or shame. When I say ‘I’m okay,’ it often hides a deeper turmoil. Yet, I’m learning to confront these feelings and seek solace in positive connections and moments of grace. Thoughts of despair may cloud my mind from time to time, but I’m learning to navigate them with strength and resilience. Perspective is a powerful force that can reshape our reality. As we walk the fine line between perception and truth, let’s remember that hope and healing are always within reach.” @guycisternino I love you lil homie ✊🏾 ❤️💯✊🏾” A post shared by Body Transformation Coach FLEX WHEELER (@officialflexwheeler) Flex Wheeler is still facing struggles with his health, sharing in December of last year that his existing back problem got worse while at the hospital He described the pain as severe but ensured his followers that he was receiving the best care possible.  during transitioning from one bed to another I experienced a traumatic exacerbation of my existing back problem The pain I’m currently enduring is beyond description and my discomfort has been overwhelming,”  Flex Wheeler continues to share his love for bodybuilding through his invaluable insights as well as his consistent resilience inside the gym He serves as a source of inspiration for not only the bodybuilding community but for countless individuals going through hardships as well.  Despite the difficulties he has been forced to withstand throughout the years Flex Wheeler maintains a positive attitude. While bodybuilding is often seen as a selfish sport Guy Cisternino’s gesture of goodwill proves that the community always looks after its own!  RELATED: Bodybuilding Legend Flex Wheeler Inspires Fans By Pushing Through Pain on Leg Press Machine Although Flex Wheeler has been open about his difficulties Cisternino was unaware of his friend’s kidney disease and 2003 transplant when Cisternino learned about the condition he made a gesture that melted Wheeler’s heart “I did’t know and never knew your one kidney was that bad Tell me what I need to do to get checked to see if I’m a match I’m old and retired I don’t need 2 kidneys I rather my friend is on this earth longer than dead I’ll do it this week,” the retired IFBB Pro texted Flex Wheeler A post shared by Body Transformation Coach FLEX WHEELER (@officialflexwheeler) FSGS forced Flex Wheeler to prematurely end his bodybuilding career the disease has caused circulation problems for the bodybuilding icon as well the 58-year-old had to pay the price with a leg amputation Doctors gave Wheeler a choice between living or saving his leg Flex Wheeler explained that his transplanted kidney showed signs of failure It’s been two years since the bodybuilding coach revealed this information on the Menace Podcast his conversation with Guy Cisternino may suggest that’s time for Wheeler to undergo another surgery The Sultan of Symmetry also revealed that the donor was a far smaller person than him. However, despite these factors, the transplanted kidney has served Flex Wheeler for over two decades. In 2022, the 58-year-old explained he was quite surprised that the kidney had lasted so long. Does the bodybuilding icon finally require a second transplant? For now, only Flex Wheeler knows the answer and hasn’t shared it with fans yet. Yet, whether Flex Wheeler needs it or not, Guy Cisternino’s gesture truly meant a lot to the bodybuilding legend. EssentiallySports is a digital-first sports media house that surfaces the best stories on America's favorite sports celebrities with a fan's perspective to 30+ M average monthly readers. Full Spectrum Services LLP © 2025 | All Rights Reserved by Published on May 21 On May 13, 2021, pro bodybuilder Guy Cisternino posted a video on his Instagram account. Within a week, the video went viral not only in bodybuilding but beyond it. The video in question showcased Cisternino getting into a heated argument at the gym The video has since brought extreme criticism and defense of Cisternino’s actions Guy Cisternino sets the record straight and addresses the gym incident After we originally reported on the viral video of Guy Cisternino arguing at the gym – he reached out to us directly requesting an interview We connected over video with Cisternino to go into more detail and get his perspective on the entire incident The video itself cuts off right when the argument starts to heat up Cisternino gives us a breakdown of exactly what happened Guy Cisternino starts out explaining that he believes the video was blown too far out of proportion He acknowledges that the video cuts off early Due to that the audience imagination ran rampant the video could be seen as an aggressive move on Cisternino’s part Or it can be seen as an understandable mishap That’s why he wants to give further context on the moment in question Guy Cisternino goes on to explain that the men he argued with in the video were originally much closer than they appeared Since they were off camera for majority of the clip we only see them after they have slowly stepped away This contributed to the criticisms when people watched the video Watch our GI Exclusive segment with Guy Cisternino above Guy Cisternino points out that he asks them give him some space twice before he jumped off the machine While he wasn’t 100% politely speaking to them – it was also mid set He was under physical pressure and pushing his body while also trying to ask them to give him more space They quickly got defensive and then Cisternino lost his cool “What everybody sees is me walk five feet away from the machine to go to the kids,” Guy Cisternino comments in our interview “But what they don’t understand is while this is all going on they are progressively backing up but they just keep talking… if they were actually where they were when I got off the machine and did what I did Guy Cisternino goes on to say that he was also filming on behalf of the gym And even if it wasn’t on behalf of the gym a pro bodybuilder training is doing their job while Guy Cisternino defends his actions he also understands that he’s not a perfect person He doesn’t think the video deserved such scrutiny he did lose his temper and he acknowledges that “Should I have jumped off the machine ‘Let’s go outside?’ Absolutely not,” Guy Cisternino states in our interview “But I’m also at 39 years old… you were disrespecting him.’ I don’t think asking someone to get out of my plain view while I’m squatting is disrespectful There’s a disconnect with this whole thing.” Guy Cisternino goes into much more detail in our interview discussion. To get the full story, you can watch the whole GI Exclusive interview segment above The GI Team is here to provide top news and original content for the new generation The generation of bodybuilders who are pushing the sport to bigger and better places Generation Iron Brands LLC134 West 29th Street Suite 902New York, NY 10001Email: [email protected] by Published on Jul 26 A common question that comes up when people are looking for bodybuilding advice is what generation training style they should focus on Is it better to do more free weights or more machine exercises Is it best to do heavy weight and low volume or light weight and high volume Guy Cisternino is someone who has been notoriously known for his hardcore heavyweight training he gives a different kind of advice when it comes to these general questions Guy Cisternino explains why you shouldn’t worry about free weights vs machine or heavy weight vs light weight training In one of our previous interviews, Guy Cisternino talked about how Branch Warren was his biggest inspiration. The reason for this was due to his hardcore passionate training style It’s how Cisternino himself loves to train He worries that not enough young people still have that hardcore passion in the gym anymore But that hardcore style of training has less to do with what is successful for bodybuilding and more to do with the culture While Guy Cisternino loves to train hardcore – he also understands it is not necessary to be a massive shredded bodybuilder Rather than it being a necessity for success – he simply sees it as a cultural passion that excites him He likes that attitude and that atmosphere That’s why when we ask him whether or not heavy weight vs light weight matters Or whether or not free weight vs machines matter – his answer is more open minded Guy Cisternino has been through some injuries and is now a slightly older (but not old) bodybuilder He hooked up with John Meadows as his trainer more recently – and Meadows changed up the kind of training he does in light of his age and injuries What Cisternino learned through this process changed his perception on what is important in bodybuilding training it matters less whether or not you do machines vs free weights or heavy weight vs light weight it matters more how you break up your body parts and how much focus you put into each workout there are little differences – pros and cons to each approach – but ultimately they are not game changers Whether you lift heavy weight or hight weight or free weight or machines – you can be a successful and massive bodybuilder with any of these approaches What matters more is how you do these tactics and the way you break up each body part throughout your week of training What he means by this is that by changing up how you break up the body parts you work in a given workout – you can be saving your joints from too much pressure in one session So someone like Guy Cisternino can train hardcore to his liking with less risk (though still there is always risk) of injury So you can be like Dexter Jackson or you can be like Branch Warren Both of these bodybuilders are legendary in their own right and they both used vastly different techniques – but if you break up the body parts right you can extend your longevity as an athlete You can watch Guy Cisternino go into full detail in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above Derek Dufour has been managing all digital operations on the Generation Iron Network for over six years and designers to provide up-to-date content across the GI Network Generation Iron Brands LLC134 West 29th Street Suite 902New York, NY 10001Email: [email protected] Guy Cisternino Retire - Via @Npcnewsonlineofficialpage IFBB veteran bodybuilder Guy Cisternino Jr. announced his retirement from competition following a 6th place finish at the 2021 Texas Pro. The event took place August 13-14th in Irvine, Texas, where many of the world’s best competitors battled it out for an Olympia invite.  reality set in for Cisternino who broke the news in front of a sold-out crowd in Texas The 212 competitor earned his Pro Card at the 2008 NPC National Championships and has been one to watch out for at many of the top bodybuilding shows.  He has a few notable wins including his first-place finishes at the New York Pro in 2015 and 2016 in the 212 division and while he’s competed at the Olympia on several occasions his best placing at the event was 6th in 2015 Cisternino’s most recent win was the 2019 Niagara Falls Pro 212.  2021 IFBB Texas Pro Results And Prize Money “I had a certain angel watching down. First, it was Dallas McCarver, then Luke Sandoe, and now John Meadows. I planned on retiring after Tampa pro. I called Tyler Manion on the phone, ‘I’ve been doing this too long. I ain’t going out like that,” Guy Cisternino said, referencing his tie for 16th place at the Tampa Pro. “So if it taught me anything, it was that my goal tonight was to be the best 39-year-old bodybuilder I could be.”  A post shared by Daniel L (@bodybuilderswithoutborders) A post shared by NPC News Online Official Page (@npcnewsonlineofficialpage) Cisternino has had a rough past few years, almost getting killed in a car crash that’s left him living with pain, and contracting the coronavirus that sent him to the ER.  Also read: Guy Cisternino Fires Back At Critics Over Viral Gym Fight Video: ‘I Felt Disrespected’ But despite his struggles, Guy Cisternino has accomplished a lot in the sport. A post shared by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀W Wittmann (@w_wittmannphoto) 2021 Texas Pro – 6th 2020 Olympia 212 – 10th 2019 Legion Sports Fest Pro Men’s 212 – 7th 2019 ROMANIA MUSCLE FEST PRO 212 – 4th 2019 Tampa Pro 212 – 3rd 2019 Chicago Pro 212 – 4th 2018 Indy Pro 212 – 6th 2017 Arnold Classic South America – 7th 2010 Europa Battle of Champions 202 – 6th 2008 NPC National Championships – 1st 2007 NPC Nationals Middleweight – 2nd 212 bodybuilder Cisternino competed at the Mr Olympia for a whopping seven different times in the 212 division.  We wish Guy Cisternino all the best in life and with his future endeavors.  If you have any questions about this news, please feel free to contact Matthew Magnante by leaving a comment below Email: [email protected] of Guy Cisternino having an altercation with a couple of guys at the gym Now he reacts to this situation and defends his actions doubling down on the fact that he was disrespected Cisternino is one of the most beloved and respected in his era Guy has been on all of the biggest stages in the sport with wins at the New York Pro and Toronto Pro which earned him several appearances at the Olympia In recent times, he has been dealing with a handful of health issues that resulted in a hospital stay last May. However he is back to being healthy and training full time, moving heavy weight in the gym. it was one of those recent heavy training sessions that got the attention of not just followers of Guy Cisternino but instead due to an altercation he was having A video that he shared to Instagram, sees Guy doing some heavy leg work while a couple of other gym goers were apparently too close to him, while laughing and joking. This made Guy frustrated, as he told them to joke around elsewhere, before getting up and getting in the two men’s faces. A post shared by Guy Cisternino Jr aka Quadro (@guycisternino) This footage caused a lot of backlash for Cisternino, with many people saying that he was overreacting and being a jerk. So he was left feeling like he needed to explain himself, which he did with a subsequent Instagram Live session. The brunt of the 80 minute session involves Guy inviting fans on to debate him about the situation. However before that, he took some time to give his side of the story, and he claims that things were not as simple as they seemed. According to Guy Cisternino, he was at this gym at the behest of the owner, who sponsors him as an athlete. So he was there with that owner’s film crew, getting shots in for content, when these guys approached where he was doing leg work. Apparently there is another angle of footage that has not been posted, that shows just how close these two guys were. So Guy felt disrespected by the two guys, who he felt were breaking gym etiquette protocols. “These aren’t bad guys. I don’t hate these two dudes. This turned into something it shouldn’t have. Maybe I shouldn’t have posted the f—king video, so I apologize for turning it into something it shouldn’t have been. I don’t have ill will towards these guys, they were just there training,” Cisternino said. “During my set, they got off the leg press and got very close. Then they were laughing and joking and one of them slapped the other on the back and kind of lunged a little bit, and got extremely close to my machine.” Cisternino goes on to explain that he was not trying to be disrespectful and told the guys to mess around somewhere else that was not in front of him. When the pair talked back and said that he was rude, this got Guy angry, and he got in their faces. Guy admits that he may have overreacted, but he still stands by what he did. He went on to say that when he has shown other people who were at the gym that day the additional angle, it left someone who was upset with him apologizing and saying that he was in the right. “I didn’t act appropriately either. I could have acted a lot more calm, I didn’t have to jump off the machine. But I did because I was heated, because I was in the middle of a set, and I felt disrespected,” Cisternino said. “I shouldn’t have acted as nutty as I did, but I’m an intense mother—ker, and you put me in the gym where my intensity is through the roof, and that’s where it is and that’s how I act. I’m not going to apologize for asking them to move, but I will say that I could have done it in a different way.” A post shared by Guy Cisternino Jr aka Quadro (@guycisternino) Guy Cisternino began to invite people into the Live session to debate with them and it is worth noting that one of the people involved the incident jumped on and the two largely worked things out it ended with the two agreeing to train together the next time he was in town this seems like one of those situations where both parties overreacted a bit If you have any questions or need further clarification about this news, please leave a comment below and Derek will get back to you as soon as possible You got a guy who is 5 foot 5 so hes mad at the world and already has somethin to prove bc he was picked on his whole life Add steroids to that temper and this is the result Guys like that have ZERO intention of fighting but feed off the audience I wizsh someone pulled his card and knocked his 5 foot 5 ass out Id bet he drives a super expensive car also Guy did the same thing at a local dealership Completely lost control on a service manager that was actually trying to help him with a truck he bought somewhere else I was sitting in the customer area and saw the whole thing he was totally disrespectful and he talk about he was disrespected lol Email: [email protected] by Published on Feb 18 On Thursday, February 17, 2022, Blackstone Labs president PJ Braun was officially sentenced to 54 months in prison after a slight delay in the courts. A day after the sentencing, Braun made his last official announcement as president announcing that Guy Cisternino will step up in an increased role at Blackstone Labs. This news comes just under one month after Aaron Singerman’s sentencing. Both PJ Braun and Aaron Singerman were convicted of selling illegal anabolic steroids and other unlawful controlled substances marketed as dietary supplements PJ Braun also had to forfeit $3 million alongside Blackstone Labs forfeiting $1.2 million Braun seems to remain confident that Blackstone Labs will continue to not only stay stable but grow during his absence In his last official statement as president posted to Instagram PJ Braun also announced that Guy Cisternino will be “taking over” during his time in prison While this does not go into exact detail of what this means – it is clear that Cisternino will take on an increased responsibility within the company Cisternino is already a sponsored athlete of Blackstone Labs PJ Braun also took some time to explain his actions and the court sentencing in the video. He claimed that the two illegal substance Blackstone Labs sold were a pro hormone and SARMs He also claims that neither he nor Aaron Singerman were aware that they should not be selling them he takes full responsibility for his actions and accepts the time he will serve in prison A post shared by PJ Drew Braun (@pjbraunfitness) Aaron Singerman made many headlines due to some erratic actions This included two DUIs – one in a boat and one in a car PJ Braun’s sentencing was originally set to be the same day as Singerman’s but was postponed Reports claim that this postponement was due to unspecified medical issues that needed to be reviewed before the final sentencing Both PJ Braun and Aaron Singerman had spoken with Generation Iron previously across various digital series we have produced PJ Braun was featured in our Muscle Moguls series – which had an entire episode dedicated to the original raid of Blackstone Labs Aaron Singerman also spoke with Generation Iron via our GI Exclusive interview series Singerman discussed his relationship with PJ Braun and the legal action taken against Blackstone Labs At this time it is unclear if either PJ Braun or Aaron Singerman will serve the full 4.5 year sentence It’s likely that they will be able to earn reduced sentencing for good behavior among other factors at this moment PJ Braun seems optimistic that Blackstone Labs will still be flourishing upon his return With many other employees and athletes involved in the 22 year long running business – hopefully the company will be able to survive the turmoil of the case For more updates on all things bodybuilding and strength sports – make sure to stay tuned to the Generation Iron Fitness Network Generation Iron Brands LLC134 West 29th Street Suite 902New York, NY 10001Email: [email protected] by Published on Sep 10 Guy Cisternino is a former Men’s 212 bodybuilder who recently announced his retirement from competitive bodybuilding in 2021 He was known for his old school hardcore training techniques his blunt honesty about topics in the sport He was also the subject of a viral online controversy when he was caught on camera aggressively yelling at other lifters in the gym That’s why we originally connected with Guy Cisternino for him to share his side of the viral video and talk about gym etiquette in the social media age of bodybuilding and lifting We also went over his bodybuilding career and his thoughts on the future of the sport Over the past few months we’ve released multiple GI Exclusive segments from our interview with Guy Cisternino This uncut full length interview includes topics such as training with Branch Warren and how social media has affected bodybuilding – among other topics Our full length interviews are now also in podcast form Subscribe to the Generation Iron Podcast for candid full length interviews with the biggest names in bodybuilding Listen to the full Guy Cisternino interview here: the video could be seen as an aggressive move on Cisternino’s part That’s why he wants to give further context on the moment in question While he wasn’t 100% politely speaking to them – it was also mid set And even if it wasn’t on behalf of the gym while Guy Cisternino defends his actions he also understands that he’s not a perfect person He doesn’t think the video deserved such scrutiny Branch Warren no longer competes and has been retired for quite some time he still maintains his massive physique and enjoys training in the gym but Branch still goes full hardcore on his sets even in retirement Guy Cisternino recounts how he just met up with Branch Warren recently for a training session What was most refreshing to Cisternino is that Branch still trained like a beast He has no reason to anymore other than personal enjoyment of the intensity of lifting It’s a feeling that Cisternino can relate to Not only that, but he believes that Branch Warren trains harder than most pros today. It’s a bold claim – but one that we wouldn’t doubt. Branch Warren often received criticism for training too hardcore. That he would bring himself too big a risk of injury and ruin his career. Perhaps it’s that kind of risk taking that Guy Cisternino misses in the modern crop of bodybuilders. We discuss many more topics with Guy Cisternino than what can be fully covered in this article. That’s why you should check out the full GI Exclusive interview above We discuss far many more topics including lifting heavy vs lifting light weight how social media affects bodybuilding today Generation Iron Brands LLC134 West 29th Street Suite 902New York, NY 10001Email: [email protected] Lee Priest (Photo Credit: @guycisternino @leepriestofficial72 Instagram) Lee Priest and Guy Cisternino are still turning heads with their physiques In a recent Instagram post shared on October 9 Priest and Cisternino were seen posing together following a training session.  It’s been a historic year for bodybuilders pushing 40 years and older. The highly anticipated 2023 Masters Olympia competition was welcomed back on the IFBB Pro League calendar after an 11-year absence. Former 212 Olympia Kamal Elgargni delivered fireworks and cemented himself as champion in the headlining contest.  Personally, Priest would have preferred an age cap of 50 and over for the Masters Olympia, and admitted chest atrophy prevented him from making a comeback. Before announcing his exit from Open Bodybuilding, Priest picked up three consecutive victories (2006 NOC New York, 2006 PDI Night of Champions, 2013 NABBA Mr. Universe).  A post shared by Lee mccutcheon (@leepriestofficial72) If you’ve been around the bodybuilding community you’ve probably heard of Guy Cisternino 212’s Cisternino is no stranger to competing at a world-class level He also co-hosts the Mutant and the Mouth podcast with Nick Walker and took over as acting president for the Blackstone Labs supplement company after PJ Braun was incarcerated for conspiring to sell illegal anabolic steroids.  Priest and Cisternino gave fans a look at their current physiques.  “51 years old and 41 years old retired bodybuilders who just love to workout Never was able to step on stage with @leepriestofficial72 so we hit some shots today goofing off after our workout Lee is one of the freakiest bodybuilders that has ever competed A post shared by Guy Cisternino Jr (@guycisternino) In a sport where longevity is hard to come by, these two bodybuilders have it in spades. In his last outing before calling it a career, Guy Cisternino competed at the 2021 Texas Pro it’s evident Cisternino still prioritizes training considering the cross striations in his quads.  RELATED: Bodybuilder Guy Cisternino Jr. Suffers Quad Injury During Leg Day Workout Those unfamiliar with Lee Priest or Guy Cisternino’s stage presence can now understand why they are esteemed among fellow bodybuilders both men still display an exceptional level of detail and size.  Email: [email protected] by Published on Oct 12 When you’re a young up and comer in the game getting a sponsorship can be a truly elusive and daunting task It’s hard to know exactly how to go about it as it seems to be some kind of industry secret that not many individuals are willing to talk about young competitors are floundering and desperately looking for the answer to getting paid to do what they love But not everyone keeps their mouth shut about the reality of making money as a bodybuilder and fitness personality There are some outspoken individuals who are willing to give the information to the people but it may not sound as sweet and lovely as one may hope One of those individuals is veteran bodybuilder Guy Cisternino Guy Cisternino like all bodybuilders went from being an unknown amateur to one of the most recognizable competitors in the world today Guy Cisternino has picked up a few things along the way and that includes a solid knowledge base and experience Guy Cisternino went in depth about how to go about getting sponsorships in bodybuilding and he’s cutting out all the fluff A post shared by Guy Cisternino Jr aka Quadro (@guycisternino) on Oct 11 For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Jacob Ladon is a staff writer and former amateur bodybuilder He has been passionate about bodybuilding since he was 15 years old and discovered the joys of training in the gym He reports and comments on all bodybuilding related matters Generation Iron Brands LLC134 West 29th Street Suite 902New York, NY 10001Email: [email protected] by Published on Jun 21 It’s an understatement to say that 2020 was a bad year That’s especially true for Guy Cisternino – but in a way that you might not expect Cisternino had a string of bizarre bad luck that made his 2020 bodybuilding career disappointing to himself But he doesn’t let him get too down so long as he can still train in the gym and help inspire the younger generation of bodybuilders But as he faces a new generation coming up in the ranks he does have one wish for the future of bodybuilding He wants there to be more young bodybuilders that exhibit the kind of training intensity he brings into the gym and Guy Cisternino are becoming a dying breed there just aren’t that many bodybuilders who go truly hardcore in the gym It’s simply a mental attitude that Cisternino personally prefers Guy Cisternino details his hopes for a new crop of bodybuilders that bring intensity back to the sport Nick Walker is one of the biggest standout young bodybuilders coming into the pro league today There’s no doubting that he has a massive frame and the promise to be a threatening competitor ranking in the top spots of competitions Guy Cisternino has no doubt of that either But what he’s noticed is that Walker is so powerful – that he can lift heavy weight with ease He puts up a massive bench press without making a sound While this doesn’t affect Nick Walker’s physique at the end of the day – it does find Cisternino longing for an older era of bodybuilding. Guy Cisternino is similar to bodybuilders like Branch Warren. When he trains in the gym – he goes extremely intense and hardcore. Yelling That’s because he puts every ounce of himself into ever rep While there is certainly some correlation between intensity in training and effectiveness of your workouts – it’s not necessary to scream in the gym to be a talented bodybuilder Cisternino is not criticizing the younger generation for problems with the quality of their physique he’s simply lamenting a dying breed of personality in the sport The kind of personality that partially made him love bodybuilding in the first place maybe a couple of these kids will just carry that intensity on because I just don’t see it that often,” Guy Cisternino states in our interview “I think bodybuilding needs some intensity sometimes At the end of the day bodybuilding is a sport But you’d be a fool to think that part of what makes sports great is the culture behind them that hardcore intensity is what made him love the sport to a large degree As he gets older and as he sees that intensity slowly fall to the wayside – he misses it You can watch Guy Cisternino go into full detail about the new generation of bodybuilding and intensity within the sport by watching our latest GI Exclusive interview above Generation Iron Brands LLC134 West 29th Street Suite 902New York, NY 10001Email: [email protected] by Published on Aug 3 Guy Cisternino is a pro bodybuilder who is not afraid to speak his mind – even if it’s not what people want to hear That’s why we asked him to share one thing he loves about modern bodybuilding… and one thing he hates about modern bodybuilding Guy Cisternino details how he loves the camaraderie of bodybuilding but hates how social media has changed training In our first GI Exclusive segment with Guy Cisternino we discussed the viral video showcasing him confronting people at the gym He was in the middle of a set and was angry due to younger gym patrons filming aggressively close to the current exercise machine Cisternino was using he was able to explain himself and patch things up with the young gym-goers filming constantly in the gym during training is the biggest thing that Guy Cisternino dislikes about modern bodybuilding “the love for training is becoming more a love for social media.” What he means by this is that young bodybuilders see training more as “content” rather than a means to improving their physique This is, of course, a very generalized statement. But it tracks with what Guy Cisternino was telling us in a previous segment as well. Cisternino loves hardcore focused bodybuilders. Branch Warren is one of his biggest inspiration. Today he sees less of that and more young bodybuilders constantly filming their training and filming random content in between sets Cisternino worries that young bodybuilders are trying to skip the line and become famous before they accomplish major victories as a competitive bodybuilder Social media has also proved that you can be successful without ever competing and Craig Golias find success through social media without having to compete on the pro level Guy Cisternino argues that those individuals are the outliers The problem is everyone wants to be the outlier instead of doing the hard work of becoming a successful pro “They’re trying to be in our shoes as professionals before even stepping on stage And it’s frustrating,” Guy Cisternino states in our interview and I don’t think it’s bad to say But for me to say it’s not disrespectful to think that a 20 year old kid has a camera crew filing himself working out because he thinks… he’s trying to be somebody on the same level as somebody like me I would never act like I’m a professional football player on social media because I’m not a professional football player But you’re going to act like you’re a professional bodybuilder or professional trainer and you’re 20 years old and have a camera crew This is a divide between generations that exists beyond bodybuilding A portion of millennials and Gen Z grew up a world where it feels like anyone can become famous because sites like YouTube and Instagram have a low bar for entry it’s free to upload and broadcast content Once that content became monetizable – newer generations discovered there was money to be made via influencer success But much like fame in any era – it can only be a small percentage who actually achieve it it at least seems like more individuals are attempting to pursue it There’s nothing inherently wrong with this But when it enters tried and true traditions or public spaces – it can clash with the old way of doing things Time and reflection on an entire generation will be the true teacher it’s simply something he hates about the current state of bodybuilding But it’s something that clashes with what he loves about bodybuilding – the passion for training above all else You can watch Guy Cisternino explain his full comments in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above Generation Iron Brands LLC134 West 29th Street Suite 902New York, NY 10001Email: [email protected] by Published on Jul 19 Guy Cisternino is a bodybuilder who exudes confidence. When he recently went viral for his argument in a gym – many online criticized him harshly This is rare in the internet age when many can have their mood deeply affected by how well received they are on social media Guy Cisternino opens up about dealing with anxiety and discusses how social media has risen anxiety for nearly everyone in the world Though Guy Cisternino appears to have a “I don’t give a crap” attitude he would be lying to say he didn’t suffer from anxiety Cisternino opened up about how he’s had some truly dark times in his past He’s overcome them and he doesn’t consider those bouts of time being real depression Guy Cisternino uses this moment to discuss the difference between hardship and depression He thinks that mental health is a very serious thing – but there’s a difference between real clinical depression vs just having hardships in your life He worries that some people today confuse the two and use it as an excuse to not improve themselves Cisternino also discusses how he suffers from chronic anxiety himself But this anxiety is different than what you might assume based off the standard definition of the word Guy Cisternino explains how he has trouble sleeping nearly every single night It’s not because he is kept up by anxious thoughts He’s gone to doctors and sought help from psychiatrists It’s a form of anxiety – but not the kind of social anxiety that brings bad thoughts into his brain Guy Cisternino then pivots in the interview to talk about anxiety as a whole in our culture He believes that social media has made anxiety worse for most people He considers it self induced though – as most people don’t need to use social media – despite nearly everyone succumbing to it He believes that individuals who suffer serious anxiety caused by social media – should just log off permanently It’s only making things harder despite the addictive rush of likes and positive comments “I think some people shouldn’t be on social media,” Guy Cisternino states in our interview “Some people I think it effects them in a real negative way Because you’re putting yourself at risk at the opinion of others And you’re never going to get the majority of people – there’s always going to be someone who doesn’t like you just because.” The term “everyone’s a critic” comes to mind with his statement Social media has allowed us all to be put out into the mass public – and we will be judged It’s in our nature to judge what we see Social media makes that more constant and easier to disassociate our words from how it affects the person on the other side Guy Cisternino doesn’t lose sleep over negative comments – but for those who do – he thinks the best course of action is to leave social media behind completely You can watch Guy Cisternino’s full comments on anxiety in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above Generation Iron Brands LLC134 West 29th Street Suite 902New York, NY 10001Email: [email protected] William Bonac and Brandon Curry (Image via @photobycaz) A post shared by Fitness Volt (@fitnessvoltnetwork) Fans and experts felt that William Bonac brought a complete package with size, definition and conditioning to the stage and deserved the win. However, the judges awarded the first place to Brandon Curry. The decision soon became a controversial one as experts and fans opined that William Bonac was robbed. Guy Cisternino said that he spoke to Jim Manion about Brandon Curry’s controversial win over William Bonac Cisternino told Manion that he thought Bonac won the show the IFBB president told him that William Bonac lost primarily because of three reasons. Guy Cisternino revealed his conversation with Jim Manion and said: “He said one of the things that (William) Bonac… That the judges didn’t like was that he was very washed up in the abs He almost looked like he didn’t have any abs at all.” “He made reference to how bad his gyno (Gynacomastia) was which was very relevant in every pose.” “Then he said that Brandon (Curry) was like very flowing, very hard and I told him that I wasn’t that close but when we were watching it from you know… We weren’t far back but it was hard to see under the light how hard Brandon was. So he didn’t look as hard as he was when you were close.” A post shared by William Bonac (@william_bonac) Courtesy of Fouad Abiad Media YouTube channel you can watch Guy Cisternino talk about Arnold Classic (24:50 onwards) here: and Rajneesh will get back to you as soon as possible Email: [email protected] by Published on Oct 10 Cisternino was a force in the 212 Division during his career He earned victories in some major competitions such as the 2011 Europa Dallas Pro These are just a few of his is victories as a pro Cisternino’s most recent victory came in the 2019 Niagara Pro Falls After a sixth place finish during the 2021 Texas Pro, Cisternino announced his retirement but has kept his physique in elite shape It is clear that Cisternino has remained active in the gym but there is no plan to return to the stage just yet Guy Cisternino was joined by Lee Priest for a workout and the two hit some bodybuilding poses to end the session “51 years old and 41 years old retired bodybuilders who just love to workout! Never was able to step on stage with @leepriestofficial72 so we hit some shots today goofing off after our workout One of my favorite bodybuilders growing up ever did I think reading those magazine’s back then I would be training and posing with someone I looked up to” A post shared by Guy Cisternino Jr (@guycisternino) Lee Priest is known for having one of the freakiest physiques of all-time he has been able to remain in great shape and still possesses insane size and conditioning This posing video gave fans a chance to see two of legendary competitors hit poses once again If they ever make a return to the stage in any capacity Generation Iron Brands LLC134 West 29th Street Suite 902New York, NY 10001Email: [email protected]