The Order of Saint Andrew announced that Archon Depoutatos George D. Behrakis, Chairman Emeritus of Leadership 100, has been named the first recipient of the “Nicholas J. Bouras Award for Extraordinary Archon Stewardship.”  A special tribute dinner dance will be held on June 5, 2011 at the Metropolitan Club in New York.

Archon George Safiol, Award Committee chairman, a member of the Leadership 100 Board of Trustees, said, “Archon Behrakis has exemplified tremendous stewardship of time, talent and resources in support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the mission of the Order of Saint Andrew.  His stewardship has also extended into the Orthodox Christian Church throughout the United States. Our committee deemed it appropriate to recognize his efforts and name him as our first recipient of this prestigious award in recognition of the extraordinary service of Vice Commander Bouras.” Bouras was named Honorary Life-Time Member of the Leadership 100 Board of Trustees last year.

Archon Behrakis has distinguished himself as a pioneer in the pharmaceutical industry as a researcher and marketer of asthma and allergy products.  He is a devout churchman who has served as President of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell, Mass; serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council; was vice chairman of Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology; an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; and as chairman of Leadership 100. He is an alumnus and served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Northeastern University.  He is also a member of the Board of Overseers of Tufts University Medical School and the Boston Symphony.

The National Council of the Order of Saint Andrew unanimously voted in 2010 to establish the Nicholas J. Bouras Award.  Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Order, stated “the Award will be presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary and incomparable stewardship to the Order, enabling Archons to vigorously pursue securing religious freedom for the Mother Church of Constantinople.  It is indeed appropriate that this Award be named after National Vice Commander Nicholas J. Bouras, who himself has demonstrated remarkable leadership as a faithful son of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”