Panhellenic Scholarships Awarded
The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation awarded 25 of Greek America's "best and brightest" students a total of $250,000 in scholarship grants at an Awards Gala on November 15. Recipients received a Certificate and a check for $10,000 towards their higher education from the Foundation.
Louis Apostol Appointed
Louis G. Apostol, a long-time member of Leadership 100 and formerly Commissioner to the Illinois Court of Claims, has been appointed Executive Director to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board with offices in Chicago, Des Plaines and Springfield, Illinois. He will oversee and direct all residential, commercial, industrial and farmland property tax appeals in the State of Illinois.
Manatos Honored
Andrew Manatos, a long-time member of Leadership 100, who heads a prominent Washington DC lobbying firm, was presented by Archbishop Demetrios of America with the highest honor that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America bestows upon a layperson, the Medal of St. Paul.
Drexel Exhibition
An exhibition at Drexel University in Philadelphia that tells the story of the American response to Greece’s heroic role during World War II, Defenders of Democracy: The American Response to Greece’s role in World War II, features a collection of photographs, memorabilia, ephemera, newspapers, magazines and other items, primarily from the private collection of Greek America magazine publisher Gregory C. Pappas, a member of Leadership 100.
L100 To Meet Challenge To Continue Grants
The Leadership 100 Executive Committee, meeting in New York on October 24, acted in response to the financial crisis gripping the nation and its effect on the organization by temporarily suspending its grant program as required by its regulations in order to preserve the more than $50 million of contributions held inviolate in the Endowment Fund.
New Members Elected To Executive Committee/Board
The Executive Committee and Board of Trustees met at the Harvard Club in New York City October 24, 2008, to address the current financial crisis, review plans for the 25th Anniversary Celebration Conference to take place February 5-8, 2009 in Puerto Rico, to assess progress in the 25th Anniversary National Campaign and to elect members to the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees.
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.
First L100 Regional Fellowship Event Initiated In Washington, DC
Timothy J. Maniatis, well-known member of Leadership 100 who has organized its conferences for more than a decade, organized a luncheon in the Plaza Ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton-Washington as the first Leadership 100 Regional Fellowship gathering for the purpose of affording Leadership 100 members an opportunity to become better acquainted.
Karagines Fulfills for Hierarchs
Peter Karagines, a US Navy veteran of both World War II and Korea, who with his best friend built up the country’s largest operators of food catering trucks and vending machines in Southern California, has made an extraordinary gift to Leadership 100 by pledging to fulfill the memberships of both Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco and Bishop Athimos. Peter and his wife, Thelma, are fulfilled members and have belonged to Leadership 100 since 1996. He is an Archon “Maestro” of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and a recipient of the Patriarchal Cross and Medal of the Holy Sepulcher of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The Gift Of Giving
Leadership 100 members make their initial gifts, continue their payments and fulfill their pledges in a variety of ways, directly by check or credit card, through stock and even life insurance or, through investment vehicles that otherwise manage their money. A leading proponent of the last method is none other than the Leadership 100 Treasurer, George E. Safiol, who has established the George E. Safiol Foundation, a donor-advised fund, with Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund.
Vidaklakis Couple Honored
Cretan’s Association “Omonoia's”, in celebration of its 90th anniversary, honored Dr. Nick and Nancy Vidalakis, members of Leadership 100, for their philanthropic and humanitarian work and in recognition of their contributions to the advancement of the Cretan and Hellenic cultures, at its annual dinner-dance on Saturday October 18, 2008 at the “Cretan House” in Astoria.
George L. Argyros To Speak At Grand Banquet
George L. Argyros, who served as the United States Ambassador to Spain and is a renowned real estate investor, public servant and philanthropist, will address the Grand Banquet at the 19th Annual Leadership 100 Conference on Saturday, February 6, 2010. He will be presented with the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Excellence.
Join The Celebration
Registration for the 25th Anniversary Celebration Conference at The Ritz-Carlton San Juan Hotel in Carolina, Puerto Rico February 5-8, 2009 has been a great success with 800 room nights already reserved! Because of the popularity of joining in this true celebration of the extraordinary success of the Leadership 100 mission, we have reserved a limited number of additional rooms. Therefore, if you plan to attend, please call the Leadership 100 office as soon as possible!
Milsap To Perform
Ronnie Milsap, who ranks as the pre-eminent country soul singer of his generation, will highlight the entertainment at the 25th Anniversary Celebration, February 5-8, 2009, at The Ritz-Carlton San Juan Hotel in Carolina, Puerto Rico.
Chimples Honored At Membership Event
George C. Chimples, a Founding Member of Leadership 100, was honored September 26 in Cleveland at a luncheon for Leadership 100 Members and prospects in recognition of his long-time leadership and his 90th birthday, which he will celebrate on October 23. John A. Payiavlas, National Membership Co-Chairman and Chairman Emeritus, hosted the event, which he organized as a tribute to Chimples for his dedication to philanthropy and to the Greek Orthodox Church.
Executive Committee/Board Of Trustees To Meet
The Executive Committee and Board of Trustees will meet Friday, October 24 at the Harvard Club in New York City to review plans for the 25th Anniversary Celebration Conference to take place February 5-8, 2009 in Puerto Rico, to assess progress in the 25th Anniversary National Campaign and to elect members to the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees.
Leadership Regional Fellowship
The Executive Committee of Leadership 100 has launched “Leadership Regional Fellowship” meetings in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Leadership 100, whose purpose it is to get members of Leadership 100 to get to know each other. The first event, under the Chairmanship of Tim Maniatis, well-known member of Leadership 100 who has organized its conferences for more than a decade, will be a luncheon to take place at 12:30 pm, October 15, 2008 in the Plaza Ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton-Washington Hotel, 1150 22nd St., N.W., Washington DC.
Family Wellness Update
The Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Center continues to develop programming and ministries to serve the needs of the faithful thanks to a Leadership 100 grant. Programs now include a workshop entitled “Creating a Vision for Your Marriage”, aimed at engaged couples and newlyweds, which will be held in November at St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Pasadena, California, led by Michael Kallas, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and a mental health advocacy group established at The Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, California, which sponsors monthly meetings and support groups.
Tomaras Fulfills Gift To St. Iakovos Retreat Center
Chris P. Tomaras, a member of Leadership 100 and well-known Chicago businessman, announced the fulfillment of a $1 million gift to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago's St. Iakovos Retreat Center at a challenge dinner on September 23, 2008. He was instrumental in the early stages of securing the property with two separate gifts of $100,000 each.
Tzagournis Joins Investment Committe
Adam M. Tzagournis of Dublin, Ohio, an investment banker and Chartered Financial Analyst, who has written a book predicting the current financial crisis, has joined the Investment Committee. He is a member of Leadership 100 and the son of members, Prof. Manuel A. and Madeline J. Tzagournis. Prof. Tzagournis is vice president emeritus for health services at Ohio State University Medical School where he has had a distinguished career as a professor, dean and administrator.