Born on 21 January 1963 in Turin, he joined the Naval Academy in 1980, and was commissioned as Ensign in 1984, on completion of the regular course. He served onboard cruiser Vittorio VENETO, cruiser Andrea DORIA and guided missile destroyer ARDITO, as gunnery, missile systems officer and operation officer. He commanded patrol ship ITS SPICA, frigate ITS MAESTRALE, the 1st Patrol Boat Squadron while also in charge as Command Training School's Evaluation Officer – and guided missile destroyer Francesco MIMBELLI. His ashore commitments included duties as:  Commander of Cadets at the Italian Naval Academy in Livorno;  Staff Officer at the Plans and Policy Department of the Italian Navy General Staff;  Director of the Cadet Courses of the Italian Naval Academy;  Chief of the Alliance Policy Office of the Italian Defence General Staff;  Deputy Head of the Plans, Operations and Maritime Strategy Department of the Italian Navy General Staff. Promoted Rear Admiral (LH) on 1st July 2011, he took up – until August 2013 the positions of Deputy Commander of the Italian Front Line Naval Forces and Deputy Commander of the Italian Maritime Forces, Commander of the Spanish/Italian Amphibious Force and Commander of the Italian Naval Task Group. Between August and December 2012, he was appointed Force Commander at EU Naval Force, for counter-piracy mission EUNAVFOR ATALANTA. From September 2013 to 17 May 2015, he took up the position of Head, Plans, Operations and Maritime Strategy Department at the Italian Navy General Staff. He was promoted to the ranks of Rear Admiral (UH) on 1st July 2014 and Vice Admiral on 1st January 2019. From 18 May 2015 to 20 February 2020, he has been Operation commander of EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia. From 12 March 2020 to 15 July 2021, he has held the position of Commander of the Italian Navy Schools, and was subsequently appointed Commander in Chief Naval Fleet. Since 6 November 2021, he is Chief of the Italian Navy. During the 1998-1999 academic year, he attended the “2nd Advanced Command and Staff Course" in the United Kingdom, and during the 2007-2008 academic year, the 59th Course at the Institute for Defence Higher Studies in Rome. He obtained a summa com laude degree certificate in “Maritime and Naval Sciences" at the University of Pisa, a degree certificate in “Political Science" at the University of Trieste, and a 2nd level Master's degree in “Security Advanced Studies" at the University of Perugia. He speaks fluent English and has an excellent knowledge of the French language. Major awards, decorations and ribbons:  1st Class/Knight Grand CrossOfficer of the Military Order of Italy;  Knight of the Military Order of Italy;  5th Class / Knight;  Mauritian Medal to the Merit of 10 Lustra of Military Career;  Silver Navy Long Navigation Medal (15 years);  Golden Cross with Star for Seniority of Service (40 years);  Gold Long Meritorious Command Medal (20 years);  Eunavfor – Operation Atalanta Medal;  Commander Cross with Swords pro merito melitense of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta;  National commemorative cross for participation in cooperation operations outside the national territory for EUNAVFOR SOPHIA in the Mediterranean Sea;  Common Security and Defence Policy Service Medal for Extraordinary Meritorious Service – Operation Sophia;  Merit Ribbon for Service in the Italian Defence General Staff.