Meet Albert DiPadova, Founder and CEO of the Riviera Towel Company. Riviera Towel Company produces high-end Turkish towels designed at their headquarters in Santa Barbara, California. As one of our gifted sponsors for our Raise the Reef gala, Riviera Towel Company has supported our mission to restore coral reefs on the Florida Reef Tract for years!
Albert, CEO and Founder of Riviera Towel Company.
Thank you to the Riviera Towel Company for their generous support of Coral Restoration Foundation™! We greatly appreciate their continuous commitment. This is a company that sets the bar high with regards to environmental conservation and corporate responsibility.
CRF™ Turkish towels donated by Riviera Towel Company for our 2018 Raise the Reef gala.
Continue reading to learn more about the Riviera Towel Company and Albert's personal connection to our marine world!
What is your earliest memory of the ocean?
When I was 12, I moved from Rochester, New York to the Florida Keys and lived on a boat with my dad. My little Boston Whaler had a 25 Evinrude on the back, and I would go exploring the coral islands. Back then you could get away with telling your kid to go play in the ocean like that.
What is your favorite marine creature?
Coral, of course! I’ve always kept a fish tank with simulated coral to help remind me of my days growing up in the Keys. I also like sea turtles. They are the dinosaurs of the seas.
Why do you, personally, care about coral reefs and conservation?
Having been a diver in the Keys, I got to experience first hand the incredible diversity of marine life supported by coral reefs. Just because they’re underwater doesn’t mean they’re not just as important to to our environment. It’s all connected.
Why should the average person care about coral reefs?
Beyond the beauty of corals' hard calcium carbonate skeletons, they contain bands, like tree rings, that record environmental changes in temperature, water chemistry and water clarity. These records help scientists reconstruct what past ages were like before humans kept written records.
In your opinion, what are some of the most powerful tools at our disposal that we can apply to the mission to save coral reefs?
Stop using sunscreen with Oxybenzone, Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-8, OD-PABA, 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor, 3-Benzylidene camphor, nano-Titanium dioxide, and nano-Zinc oxide. These ingredients can be harmful to or even kill corals. Cut down on sunscreen use by wearing a long-sleeved shirt or rash guard to prevent sunburn.
Why is protecting and restoring coral reefs relevant to your brand?
The Riviera Towel Company was founded with the mission to help heal and protect our oceans. We donate to marine agencies like CRF™ who are fighting hard to preserve and protect our most valuable resource.
What do you think are some of the easiest ways that the average person can join the mission to save coral reefs from extinction?
Get educated and spread the word. It’s easy to make significant changes if we all pull together.
Do you think there is hope for our coral reefs? Why?
Yes, because coral reefs could not only survive, but even thrive in the future if the right management approaches are pursued.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
There’s no Planet B, so let’s take care of our Mother Earth. Be purposeful in your approach to purchasing. Be discerning with how you spend your money. As a conscientious consumer, you can make a positive impact by choosing to spend your money on responsible products.