50 New Members For 25th Anniversary
Leadership 100 members and prospects, 100 in all, celebrated at Kellari’s Parea in the Gramercy Park section of New York City on Friday, October 24, as eight new members joined the organization, putting the 25th Anniversary National Campaign at 50 new members, culminating in a series of membership recruitment meetings in Cleveland, Philadelphia and Boston. Peter J. Pappas, Membership Chairman for the Direct Archdiocesan District and co-owner of the restaurant with James, George and Peter Pantelidis, served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
Pappas introduced Kassandra Romas, New Jersey Membership Chairman, Louis Nicozisis, Eastern Regional Membership Chairman, Michael Bapis, Chairman of the Leadership 100 Partners Program, John A. Payiavlas and Gus Caras, Leadership 100 Vice Chairman, Co-Chairmen of the National Membership Campaign, Paulette Poulos, Executive Director (Interim), and Stephen G. Yeonas, Leadership 100 Chairman.
All speakers touched upon the need to organize this type of event in order to spread the word on the mission of Leadership 100. Among the new members that came forward were: Constantine Avgerinos, his son Don Avgerinos, Justin Bozonelis, George Tsantes and Dennison Veru.
The Cleveland event, held on September 26th, honored George K. Chimples, a Founding Member of Leadership 100, in recognition of his long-time leadership and his 90th birthday. John A. Payiavlas, National Membership Co-Chairman and Chairman Emeritus, hosted the event. Angelo Coutris, Metropolis of Pittsburgh Membership Chairman, who served as Master of Ceremonies, expressed his respect and heartfelt gratitude to Chimples for serving as a role model and introduced five new members. They are: Emanuel and Elaine Cotronakis, Glykeria Bitounis, Peter C. Bitounis, Anthony Trakas and Alexis E. Coutris Trakas and John and Maria Coutris. Paulette Poulos spoke of the long record of Chimples dedicated service to the Church and to Leadership 100, helping to structure and implement programs for the Clergy and the faithful.
On September 18, 2008, Leadership 100 members Nick and Kathleen Chimicles hosted a reception in their home for members and prospects from the greater Philadelphia area. Louis Nicozisis, Easter Regional Membership Chairman, served as Master of Ceremonies. He introduced Constantine Caras, National Membership Co-Chairman and Leadership 100 Vice Chairman, John Kusturiss of the National Membership Committee and Paulette Poulos who spoke about how the Leadership 100 grants are distributed and the vital role they have in sustaining and advancing Orthodoxy and Hellenism in America. New members welcomed included: John and Katherine Karamatsoukas.
The Boston event was held on October 9, 2008 and marked a first for Leadership 100 as young professional members organized the event, following in the footsteps of their fathers, namely, Drake Behrakis and Elias Demakes the sons of George D. Behrakis and Tom Demakes. Drake Behrakis, Master of Ceremonies, spoke about how Leadership 100 influenced his personal life and strongly urged young people to become involved. Michael Bapis, Chairman for the Leadership 100 Partners Program, told the gathering that there are now 65 Leadership 100 Partners and that the program has served as a network for young professionals to interrelate on a local and national level and to become future leaders of Leadership 100.
Tom Demakes, member of the National Membership Committee, spoke about the need for Leadership 100 funding for the scholarship program at Holy Cross School of Theology and the personal pride he and his family have in being members of Leadership 100. George D. Behrakis, former Chairman of Leadership 100 and Chairman of the 25th Anniversary Celebration Conference to be held February 5-8, 2009 in Puerto Rico, reflected on the early days of Leadership 100 and how it has made its positive mark in the Church today. Paulette Poulos spoke about the distribution of grants. His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston acknowledged the valuable contributions of Leadership 100 and assured his continued support. New members include Joseph Pasquale and Caren L. Demoulas, Robert Farnham and Glorianne Demoulas, A. Cushing and Sandra Titcomb, Costas and Allyson Sideridis, Gerondelis Foundation, Partners Andrew T. Demakes, Timothy P. Demakes and Bill and Margaret Rizos.
