Raffaele G. Beltram became a Rotarian in 1971 when he joined the Rotary Club de La Victoria in Lima , Peru . His father, Boris Beltram was a charter member of the club. After moving to Slidell , Louisiana , he became a member of the Slidell Rotary Club and served on the club’s board. He was club president for 1984-1985. Raffaele moved to Matthews in 2001, and joined the Matthews Rotary Club. He was named the club’s Distinguished Rotarian for 2002-2003 and served as president for 2003-2004. He is currently an Assistant Governor and “Celebrate Rotary” Chairperson in District 7680 serving the Charlotte, NC area. Raffaele is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and has named his mother and father as Paul Harris Fellows.

Born in Trieste, Italy, his family moved to Peru when he was a year old. He attended the Italian school in Lima and the Engineering University. In 1966 went to the University of Southern Mississippi, graduating with degrees in languages and minors in Chemistry and Architectural Design. He returned to Peru to work in and then be the GM in the family manufacturing businesses from 1975 to 1979.  In 1979 Raffaele moved to the New Orleans area and opened a Travel Agency and a Tour Operator company. Appointed Consul A.h. of Peru in 1984, he held the post until 1999 when he and his family moved to Italy.  In 2001 returned to the Matthews, NC area where he operates a travel service and is manufacturer’s representative for two companies that produce medical items.

Raffaele was a member of the Consular Corps in New Orleans, organized and founded the Dante Alighieri Italian cultural society in New Orleans, helped organize the LaMETA (Louisiana-Mexico Trade Association, organized the Peruvian-American Association of Louisiana, member of the Italian American Bocce Club in Metairie, LA., Sons of Italy in America, and several other social, cultural and trade organizations. He is a Honorary citizen of New Orleans and of Slidell, Louisiana as well as Mazatlan, Mexico.

Raffaele and Marlene have three children and four grandchildren. Having fun is snow skiing, flying and Rotary. He is also a stamp collector and model train enthusiast.