Michael Franceze
...ged to become the only high ranking official of the Mafia to ever quit the mob, refuse government protection and live to tell about it makes Michael Franzese a truly fascinating addition to the speaker's circuit. Michael's first book, Quitting The Mob, was released in 1992, providing a glimpse at the life Michael left behind. His most recent book, Blood Covenant, looks at that story from 10 years of changed life, providing insight only time allows. It captures Michael's life from beginning through today, offering a powerful look at the why and how he left his past, and how he is still alive today. In the words of Paul Harvey, it is "the rest of the story." Just a few years ago, Michael Franzese was "one of the biggest money earners the mob had seen since Al Capone, and the youngest individual on Fortune magazine's survey of the 'The Fifty Biggest Mafia Bosses,” ranking #18, just 5 behind John Gotti. Today, Michael is a follower of Jesus Christ, dubbed "The Born Again Don" in a January 1991 feature article in Vanity Fair Magazine. He found his own Damascus Road that began with a beautiful woman, Cammy. The story of his conversion is a testament of God's willingness to reach into the heart of any man regardless of their past or the present condition of their lives. Law enforcement officials and mobsters say that the only way to leave the mob is in a coffin. However, God's Word has a different insight - It is said in Proverbs 16:7 that, "when a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, even his enemies are at peace with him." Michael is living testament to the latter. Over ten years ago, Camille led Michael to accept the Lord and it was at that time that he renounced his life in the mob. His conversion experience to a Christian faith completed the transition for Michael from a kingdom of darkness into a kingdom of light. One covenant bound him to the mob, the other, the covenant in Christ, set him free. Cammy's role in the transformation of Michael cannot be overstated, leading media to call her "the woman who changed the face of organized crime." Her role is a story of inspiration for women everywhere. That God used the power of love to penetrate the heart of a mafia captain, and be instrumental in Michael leaving the mafia and coming to Christ is nothing short of inspiring. Franzese is now a man on a mission. Determined to use the compelling experiences of his former life for the benefit of at-risk youth, professional and student athletes, corporate executives and for anyone seeking the inspiration to beat the odds and make positive changes in their lives, he has become a highly regarded motivator and a source of invaluable information. It began when Michael got an offer he couldn't refuse. One afternoon, while he was walking in the prison yard, a command dreaded by all inmates blared over the loudspeaker.... "Michael Franzese, report to the Warden's office." This order is rarely followed by good news. His heart sank when he entered the office and was met by two FBI agents dispatched from headquarters in Washington DC., which would normally mean even worse news. Not on this day. The agents were there to recruit Michael to participate in a program designed to educate professional athletes about the dangers of gambling. Michael knew the world of gambling and sports - he knew it from first hand knowledge from the side of the Mafia. That meeting with the FBI was the beginning of something very new for Michael. He recorded a video taped message that would be presented to professional and collegiate athletes, warning them about the danger of gambling, and the impact it can ultimately have on their career. Since that time, Michael has been a featured guest at the NBA and MLB rookie camps, featured on ESPN, Fox Sports, and HBO Real Sports. He was recently a guest on the Jim Rome show, as well as NPR's "All Things Considered," Armed forces Radio, CNN and Fox News. Michael is frequently a guest lecturer at several NCAA colleges and he addressed a gathering of NCAA college representatives for the "Champs Life Skills Program" in February...