Welcoming Grant Writer Gianni Magazzu to the Love Blue Team!

At Love Blue Inc., we have always believed that the strength of our organization comes down to the people behind the mission. As we continue to grow, expand our impact, and build out the infrastructure needed to operate on a national level, bringing the right individuals onto our team is critical.

We are proud to officially welcome Gianni Magazzu as our Grant Writer.

From the moment we connected with Gianni, it was clear that this was more than just a professional fit, it was a natural alignment in values, energy, and vision. What makes this addition even more meaningful is that Gianni represents exactly who we are as an organization: young, driven, and fully committed to building something bigger than ourselves. With our entire executive team in their 20s, adding someone like Gianni, who is not only in that same stage of life but also deeply passionate about environmental advocacy, reinforces the culture we are building.

There is also a unique hometown connection behind this addition. Gianni grew up right next to our Founder & CEO, AJ Caruso, and attended high school alongside our External VP, Kirstin Quigley. Although AJ and Gianni went to rival schools, their paths have now come full circle, coming together under one shared mission to protect our oceans and communities.

Gianni brings a powerful combination of real-world experience, technical knowledge, and proven results.

He currently serves as an Engineer Technician for Berlin Township Public Works, where he oversees a wide range of environmental and operational systems, including recycling, composting, stormwater management, sewer operations, and safety protocols. His work extends beyond operations into community impact as the township’s Clean Communities Coordinator, leading initiatives such as their annual Earth Day Cleanup and hands-on environmental engagement programs.

One of the most impressive aspects of Gianni’s work is his ability to turn ideas into measurable impact. In just six months, he launched and managed a free cigarette recycling program across local businesses, successfully collecting and recycling over 31 pounds of cigarette waste, equivalent to more than 14,000 cigarettes. This type of initiative directly aligns with Love Blue’s mission, especially as cigarette butts remain the #1 pollutant found during beach cleanups.

In addition to his fieldwork, Gianni has already demonstrated exceptional success as a grant writer. While working with Berlin Township, he secured multiple grants, including a $431,000 award from the NJDEP to fund an electric trash truck, positioning the township to become one of the first in New Jersey to implement this kind of sustainable infrastructure. This level of achievement is exactly what Love Blue needs as we pursue larger-scale funding to support national expansion, infrastructure development, and long-term environmental initiatives.

Academically, Gianni holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Wilmington University and an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Camden County College. Looking ahead, he plans to continue his education by earning his MBA by Summer 2026, followed by a Doctorate in Business Administration, further strengthening the expertise he brings to our organization.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Gianni is deeply rooted in family and community. He comes from a large family with eight siblings and is a proud uncle to six nieces and nephews. He is engaged to his fiancée Haley, with plans to celebrate their wedding in 2027. In his free time, he enjoys staying active, reading, gaming, and supporting Philadelphia sports.

Most importantly, Gianni believes in the mission.

He joins Love Blue not just as a team member, but as someone who genuinely understands the importance of the work we are doing. From removing tens of thousands of pounds of trash from our beaches to building programs that empower communities, he recognizes the real, tangible impact of our efforts, and is ready to help us scale that impact even further.

As we continue to build out our national infrastructure, expand our chapters, and pursue larger funding opportunities, Gianni will play a critical role in helping us secure the resources needed to bring our vision to life.

We are excited for what’s ahead,

Welcome to the team, Gianni! 🙌🌊