The Team

The people who make up our work team each have their own abilities, desires and limitations. For us, doing business means achieving the well being
of the people involved first and foremost. For this reason each activity is carried out respecting people’s individual characteristics and inclinations,
as we respect the life that surrounds us.

Luca Maciocco

Founder and CEO of ecoVita, farmer

I was born in Cagliari in 1968. I have a degree in mechanical engineering and worked for 7 years as a researcher in a research centre called CRS4 in Sardinia […]

Presentation

I was born in Cagliari in 1968. I have a degree in mechanical engineering and worked for 7 years as a researcher in a research centre called CRS4 in Sardinia. I went to France in 2003 to take part in the launch and development of Advanced Accelerator Applications (Triple AAA) a radio pharmaceutical company, where I worked for 13 years as an R&D project manager and technical coordinator. During my time in France the friendships that I made inspired me to dedicate myself to a sustainable development project integrating all my passions and skills. In 2016 I decided to leave Triple AAA (which already had more than 400 employees and would be bought the following year by Novartis) to launch the ecoVita project. In 2018, with my wife Lorna and our two children Leonardo and Lola (14 and 11 at the time) we made the decision to move back to Sardinia to realise this dream.

Currently I am in charge of project management and administration. I also till the land and prune the plants. I have designed and built an innovative hen house where I collect eggs. As well as this, I cultivate relationships with local people and just enjoy this wonderful place!

I love playing the piano, singing, composing music, sailing, swimming and many other things!

Lorna Ann Read

Founding partner and board member

I was born in Great Britain in 1967. I studied English literature, French language and literature and music at Swansea University and obtained the TEFL/TESP certificate. […]

Presentation

I was born in Great Britain in 1967. I studied English literature, French language and literature and music at Swansea University and obtained the TEFL/TESP certificate. I taught English in Spain, Italy (I had previously lived in Cagliari for 8 years) and France. I worked for a year as personal secretary to the Nobel Prizewinner Carlo Rubbia before having children, dedicating my time to them and then later teaching part-time again. During this time I cultivated an interest in humanistic education, ecology and permaculture. Once back in Sardinia I gained a qualification as an agricultural entrepreneur. I express my creative vein at ecoVita with plants in the vegetable garden  and product transformation in the kitchen!

Fabio Granelli

Founding partner and vice-president

I was born in Iglesias in 1961 and I live in Cagliari. After gaining a technical diploma I worked for the public works section of Iglesias Municipal Council […]

Presentation

I was born in Iglesias in 1961 and I live in Cagliari.

After gaining a technical diploma I worked for the public works section of Iglesias Municipal Council and for Bonatti Spa as a surveyor. I then got a degree in economics and commerce. After two years of working in a commercial studio, I went to work for the CONAD (GDO) group for 10 years. During this time I assumed administrative responsibility for the Sardinian sales outlet network.

At the end of this decade I embarked on a new experience for approximately six years at a French multinational company, operating in the large-scale distribution of electrical materials: Sonepar Spa.

For nearly 11 years now I have been in charge of administration at the Teatro di Sardegna, a company that operates in the culture, entertainment and theatre facilities management sector. Working in culture at a national and international level has allowed me to develop a new awareness of work aimed at creating value for people and for society, the same spirit on which the objectives of ecoVita are based.

For the moment my contribution to the project has been to support the site research activities, setting up the company and buying the farm along with all the relative administrative formalities. Currently I continue to make my experience in corporate administrative management available and collaborate with increasing commitment to the economic and sustainable development of ecoVita.

I am passionate about music, literature and especially comic books. I like cycling, playing tennis and hiking, following routes immersed in greenery.

Manuele Arcese

Founding partner and board member

I was born in Sora in 1976 and graduated as a nuclear engineer. I worked as a cyclotron engineer and then as site manager for Advanced Accelerator Applications […]

Presentation

I was born in Sora in 1976 and graduated as a nuclear engineer from the University of Sapienza in Rome. I worked as a cyclotron engineer and then as site manager for Advanced Accelerator Applications dealing with the setting up, start up and operation of production sites in Italy and abroad. On my return to Italy I worked as capital project manager for Shire/Takeda, a leading pharmaceutical producer of blood products. I currently direct the engineering and construction division of Assing SpA located in Rome.

I grew up in close contact with local traditions and stories of deeply felt true life experiences. In the ecoVita project I have found the opportunity to add value to my professional path and understand the “magic” of a deep-seated balance between life and nature, physical well being and the fascination of mystic places, as well as the irresistible urge to go windsurfing in Sardinia!

Azzurra Filannino

Founding partner and board member

I was born in Barletta in 1977 and I have three splendid children who are 9 and 7 years and 6 months old. I have a degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology […]

Presentation

I was born in Barletta in 1977 and I have three splendid children who are 9 and 7 years and 6 months old. I have a degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology as well as a PhD in Biomedical Technology. I worked as a researcher at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan for 4 years and for 10 years as head of the radio synthesis unit at Advanced Accelerator Applications, a company which is now part of Novartis. I am currently in charge of Quality Control for Janssen Cilag (Johnson&Johnson) and I manage a team of about 60 laboratory analysts.
I have dedicated almost 20 years to the realisation of projects in the pharmaceutical field for people’s health and well-being. I support this magnificent, “aspirational” project because it concretely focuses on bringing everybody’s lifestyle back to the only one possible, eco-sustainable, in harmony with nature.

Maurizio Mariani

Founding partner and board member

I was born in Cerchio (AQ) in 1958. I graduated in Medicine and Surgery and received a PhD in Biochemistry and Pharmacology in the USA and I worked in the field of pharmaceutical research […]

Presentation

I was born in Cerchio (AQ) in 1958. I graduated in Medicine and Surgery and received a PhD in Biochemistry and Pharmacology in the USA. I have worked for 30 years in the pharmaceutical research field with the aim of developing new drugs for patients suffering from rare forms of tumours for which there are no adequate therapies. I have always been careful about the social and economic impact of my activities, aiming to promote a development model based on respect for people and the environment. I decided to participate actively in the ecoVita project because it reflects a sustainable model which integrates and balances social, economic and environmental concerns.