Frank Lanza immigrated to New York City and was with Nick Schiro. Early 1920s he lived in Southern Colorado and then moved to San Francisco. By 1926 he was the head of a local gang in San Francisco, before that he had influence in the bay area. A few that were with him were Gaetano Lazio, Frank LaRusso, Emilio Giorgetti, and Dominic Pagano to name a few.
Gaetano Ingrassia was the second in command when he was killed in 1916. 1920-1925, the top guys were Vincenzo LaRocca, Salvatore Lima Sr, Filippo Maita, Luciano Sabella, Nunzio Mannina, Antonio Sciortino, Joseph Lintini, Jerry Feri, Al Scariso, Girolamo Piazza, and Luigi Malvese.
By 1928 to 1930 Filippo Maita, Vincenzo LaRocca, Antonio Sciortino, Salvatore Lima Sr, and Joseph Lintno would join Frank Lanza. Lanza would also have the backing of Giuseppe Vicari of Santa Clara, Onofrio Sciortino of San Jose, Nick Schiro and Gaetano Riina of New York City, Rosario DeSimone, Jack Dragna, and Giuseppe Aleccia of Los Angeles, Peter Carlino, John Pricco and the Collettis of Colorado, as well as Milwaukee, notably John Alioto, Joe Vallone and Carmelo Zarcone.