Houston billionaire and owner of the Houston Rockets, Tilman Fertitta, has been nominated by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the United States ambassador to Italy.
In a statement shared via Truth Social on Saturday, Trump expressed his pleasure in announcing Fertitta’s nomination:
“I am pleased to announce that Tilman J. Fertitta has been nominated to serve as the United States Ambassador to Italy. Tilman is a successful businessman who founded and grew one of America’s leading entertainment and real estate companies, employing about 50,000 Americans. He has a strong record of philanthropy, supporting children’s charities, law enforcement, and the medical community. Furthermore, Tilman is the longest-serving Chairman of the Board of Regents at the University of Houston and the owner of the Houston Rockets. Congratulations to Tilman and his remarkable family!”
Fertitta, 67, is the chairman, CEO, and president of Landry’s Inc., and serves as the chairman of the University of Houston’s Board of Regents.
In response, Fertitta shared his excitement about the nomination, saying, “It is an honor to be nominated to serve my country as ambassador to Italy, and I look forward to the process ahead. Italy is a remarkable country with its rich culture, history, and its strategic importance to the United States.”
