Behrakis Honored at Hellenic Times Gala

George D. Behrakis, a life-time Chairman Emeritus of Leadership 100, was the honoree at the 18th annual gala of The Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund on May 16, receiving the Humanitarian Leadership Award. Behrakis, who served as Chairman of Leadership 100 from 2006 to 2008, was designated a life-time Chairman Emeritus joining his predecessor as Chairman, John A. Payiavlas and the five life-time Founders, Andrew A. Athens, Arthur C. Anton, George K. Chimples, Peter M. Dion and Michael Jaharis. Payiavlas and Behrakis replaced two of the deceased founders, George P. Kokalis and Thomas A. Athens. 

Recognized as a leader in the pharmaceutical field, Behrakis began his career at McNeil Laboratories, a division of Johnson & Johnson. He founded Dooner Laboratories, later sold to Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, and purchased Muro Pharmaceuticals in 1978, which was sold to ASTA Medica AG of Frankfurt, Germany in 1997. He retired as President/CEO of Muro in 1998.

A graduate of Northeastern University, he also studied at Boston University and has established numerous awards, chairs and facilities in the pharmaceutical, scientific and medical fields, at Northeastern, Tufts University, Boston College, Harvard University and The Johns Hopkins University.

Behrakis told the gathering of more than 1,000 persons, which included the scholarship recipients, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City that education was more essential than ever with new advances in the sciences and the opening of new economic opportunities with a restructuring of the current economy.

The Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund, founded by John and Margo Catsimatidis with Nick Katsoris, has awarded over $1.5 million in scholarships to students from across the United States. The sole fundraiser for the organization is its annual Awards Gala in May.