Our staff
We would like to introduce you to the Campo di Bocce of Livermore staff. We are very proud of our staff. Our servers and bartenders are friendly and professional. They are always happy to suggest a fine wine to pair with your meal or a newly invented cocktail. Our "back of the house" crew is top-notch.
Our restaurant staff always goes the extra mile to make sure your dining experience is memorable. From adding a candle to your dessert to celebrate a birthday, to running your leftovers out to the parking lot when you forget them, we make sure you have a wonderful time when you visit Campo di Bocce of Livermore.
Tom Albanese, Owner and Founder – His family hailing from Campobasso, Italy, Tom is a second generation Italian-American born in San Jose, California. He was raised in the Santa Clara Valley and spent his entire life in the valley. He went to Santa Clara University where he met and fell in love with his late wife Maureen. After graduation in 1968 Tom served in the United States Marine Corps. After his discharge he and Maureen married and raised three beautiful daughters while living in the town of Los Gatos and later in Saratoga. Tom and Maureen had a wonderful thirty-five years together before her untimely passing. Tom works in the concrete ready mix business running Central Concrete Supply based in San Jose, California.
Although Tom is not a national bocce champion or known as a tournament bocce player, he is one of the great friends of the game of bocce and was recognized by the United States Bocce Federation with Wall of Honor accolades in 2006.
His vision in building a first class facility where beginners and experts can enjoy the game and also a fine meal has inspired others to continue with the concept. Bocce has gained national and international exposure because of some of the events hosted by Tom including the 2000 friendship games with China, Italy, and France, the 2002 National Bocce Championships, the 2006 North American Championships and 2007 National Bocce Championships, and the many charity and celebrity charity bocce events held over the years. Since opening the Campo di Bocce of Los Gatos in 1997, hundreds of thousands of people have passed through the doors and have been exposed to this wonderful game. Counting repeat visits, it may be said that close to a million customer visits have occurred over the years at the Los Gatos and Livermore clubs.
One of Tom’s passions is hosting charity bocce tournaments. Over a million dollars has been raised for worthy causes through the annual Madden Mariucci Charity Bocce Tournament. The celebrity bocce tournament format pioneered by Tom and his friends Steve Mariucci and John Madden just celebrated Ten Years of Giving with the 10th Annual tournament hosted by Campo di Bocce’s Livermore location.
A quote from Tom’s remarks included in the program from the 2002 National Championships says it best:
"I had noticed that through my association with the Los Gatos Bocce Club and my involvement with family and charity bocce parties at my house for St. Mary’s Church it had become noticeable that this game was made for everybody. I also realized that life was too short not to try and provide an environment where people could enjoy a simple game that also could be played by all groups, all ages, men and women, and all nationalities – truly a unique sport that cannot be surpassed."
Benjamin Musolf, C.O.O – At the helm of both locations, Benjamin can be seen at both Campo di Bocce of Livermore and Campo di Bocce of Los Gatos. A tireless leader, Benjamin is constantly plotting new ways to make every guest and player a part of the family. Truly an advocate of bocce and wine, Benjamin pours his heart into each wine on the wine list and every bocce event hosted at Campo di Bocce.
Along with his duties as C.O.O., Benjamin is a Level Two Sommelier certified with the Court of Master Sommeliers and a World Class Bocce player and coach. When not planning the next big bocce tournament or turning one of his many ideas into reality, Benjamin can be found on the bocce courts coaching the Campo di Bocce Ladies team or practicing for the 2008 North American Championships, tasting wines and refining the wine list and enjoying both his Campo di Bocce family and his beautiful wife and daughter at home.
Lillian Steinle, General Manager – A veteran of the local hospitality community, the effervescent and energetic Lillian has been the perfect fit for Campo di Bocce. After 15 years managing The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards, Lillian wanted to take on new challenges and we welcomed her with the same enthusiasm she brings to our restaurant and club. Since April 2007 Lillian’s passion and expertise for the hospitality industry has brought a new level of service excellence. Lillian has said that, “The training of the waitstaff never ends,” and is always having ongoing educational classes on food and wine.
Lillian comes well-trained herself. From world-class hotels and restaurants to being a superstar mother of three, Lillian knows how to manage! It is her strong leadership that affords Campo di Bocce’s staff to be well-rounded in all areas of the club and restaurant and as active participants in Livermore Valley Wine Country. When not guiding the staff at Campo di Bocce Lillian can be found spending time with her family at their cabin, shuttling her daughter to and from dance, taking in the latest show to come off Broadway or enjoying a Seahawks game with a glass of bubbly!
Michael Wogen, Chef – The culinary team is led by Chef Michael Wogen. Chef Michael boasts over 25 years of culinary experience and an arsenal of abilities. Since taking the reins in February of 2008 Michael has revamped the menu while adding new members to his culinary team to bring our guests great tasting traditional Italian cuisine. Much like Lillian, Michael is old hand in the hospitality community. From luxury spas and hotels to rock band chef extraordinaire, Michael’s experience runs the gamut.
All of Michael’s experience is evident in the way he leads his staff as well as his exciting daily salad and dinner specials. Always willing to try something new in the kitchen, Michael and Campo di Bocce of Livermore were recently honored with “MOST INNOVATIVE PAIRING” at the 2008 Taste of Terroir. Michael made a delectable Squash Blossom Tamale to pair exquisitely with La Rochelle’s Classic Clones Pinot Noir. When not making our mouths water, Michael enjoys live music, collecting rare and unique posters and print media, and partaking in the vast culinary offerings of the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area.
Rebecka Jewell, Event Coordinator – Rebecka comes to us from the wine country of Oregon’s Rogue Valley. Although Rebecka received degrees in Criminal Psychology and Human Communications at Southern Oregon University, her love of the food and wine industry took her career path in an entirely different direction. In 2006, after working at many of the fledgling wineries and event facilities in the region, Rebecka relocated to the Livermore Valley.
Initially hired as a server and bartender, Rebecka’s guest service was always top notch and she immersed herself in all that Livermore Valley food and wine culture has to offer. In the fall of 2007 a position opened in the Event Coordinating department and Rebecka was the perfect fit. As the Senior Event Coordinator, she is the go-to person for all our guests’ party needs. In addition to helping our guests plan their ideal party, Rebecka enjoys the surrounding wineries, entertaining at home for family and friends, gardening and experiencing the great outdoors of Northern California and Southern Oregon.
