A former international marketer and business connector, Matt Ornati is the author of the novel “The Africa Specialist”, currently writing “The Africa Specialist 2”.
Born in Milan to a northern Italian father and American mother, he spent his early youth between northern Italy, Phoenix, Arizona and Westchester County, New York. In his teens, drawn to the culture of the Orient, he read books about Bushido, Shinto, the Tao, and Zen meditation. Later, historical biographies became his favorite read.
After high school graduation in Italy, he travelled to work in northern Europe, and later, in Orange County, California. In the early 2000’s, after returning to live in Italy, his work projects led him to travel to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and across Africa.
In 2016, using the pseudonym Francois Houdain, he wrote several articles based on his travels to numerous African countries. Articles such as "Togo's silence", "Congo fever" and various others, were published on the widely followed website www.internationalman.com, founded by investor/author Doug Casey, later picked up and republished by other websites, including www.lewrockwell.com, founded by economist and political commentator Lew Rockwell.
Whenever he can, he enjoys traveling to India, walking along its most southern, tropical beaches or trekking up the Himalayas, visiting remote temples with his meditating monk friends.