Hellenic College-Holy Cross Celebrates 75th Anniversary
Hellenic-College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology celebrated its 75th Anniversary Name Day Feast, Exaltation of the Holy Cross, with a four-day Jubilee September 12–15, 2013. The event focused on celebrating the history of the community while continuing to highlight the School's significance as, in the words of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, “the heart and the mind of our Church in America." Helen A. Carlos, a member of Leadership 100, served as Chair of the 75th Anniversary observance and Christine Karavites served as Jubilee Chair.
Michael And Mary Jaharis And George A. David Honored By Cyprus Federation Of America
Michael and Mary Jaharis and George A. David were honored at the Cyprus Federation of America 2013 Testimonial Dinner at Terrace On the Park in Flushing Meadow Park, New York, on September 25, 2013, for their philanthropic support of Cyprus.
John Georges Buys Louisiana's Oldest & Largest Daily Newspaper
John D. Georges, CEO of Georges Enterprises and the Georges Media Group and a member of Leadership 100 along with his wife, Dathel, recently purchased The Advocate, one of the nation’s oldest and largest local daily newspapers and digital media outlets. The Advocate, first published as a weekly in 1842, serves the Louisiana communities of Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette and surrounding parishes.
Ellis Island Medal Awarded
George S. Tsandikos, Vice Chairman of Leadership 100, and Argyris “RJ” Vassiliou, Treasurer, along with Leadership 100 members William C. Anton and John Psaras, were awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor at ceremonies conducted at Ellis Island on May 11, 2013. They join other outstanding members of Leadership 100 and of the Greek American Community who have been awarded the medal along with distinguished Americans from numerous ethnic backgrounds.
Alpha Omega Honors Philoptochos
Paulette Poulos, Executive Director of Leadership 100, addressed the Alpha Omega Council Lifetime Achievement Award Banquet on Saturday, June 8, 2013 in Boston, honoring both the National and Metropolis of Boston Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Societies. The program, at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel, also acknowledged six recipients of the 2013 Peter Agris Memorial Journalism Scholarships. The Alpha Omega Council, which was founded in 1976 by the late Peter Agris, publisher of The Hellenic Chronicle, along with Hellenic American business, professional and academic leaders in Boston, promotes loyalty and patriotism to the United States while cultivating the ideals of Hellenism, along with support of philanthropic causes.
Anton Honored for Philanthropy
Arthur C. Anton Sr., a Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Leadership 100, was honored at the Hearts Warmed Gala at UMASS Lowell Inn and Conference Center on June 10, 2013, in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Anton’s Cleaners and its charitable work through Caring Partners, Inc.
Caras New Chairman Emeritus
Constantine G. Caras, the past Chairman of Leadership 100, became Chairman Emeritus, joining the Life-Time Founding Members and Chairmen Emeriti upon the passing of the beloved Andrew A. Athens on March 14, 2013. Athens, a revered Founder of Leadership 100, was Co-Chairman from the inception of the organization in 1984 to 1996.
Bapis Cited On Investment Strategy
Michael N. Bapis, Chairman of Leadership 100 Partners and a member of the Leadership 100 Board of Directors, was cited in the New York Times column “Wealth Matters” by Paul Sullivan on May 3, 2013 for his views on how taxes influence investment strategy. Bapis, who is Managing Director and Partner with the Bapis Group at HighTower Advisors was queried on the development that with higher taxes some investors are choosing investments as much for their tax rates as for their risks and returns.
Grants Hit Record of $35 Million/Membership Reaches Historic 907
Chairman Charles H. Cotros reported to the General Assembly at the 22nd Annual Leadership 100 Conference that with the unanimous approval of new grants by the Executive Committee the total of grants allocated by Leadership 100 since its founding in 1984 reached a record of $35.6 million, while membership increased to 907, toward the ultimate goal of 1,000 members by the 30th Anniversary of Leadership 100 in 2014. Included in the new membership total are fulfilled memberships, now 502 and Leadership 100 Partners and Junior Partners now 118.
20th Century Fox Film Head Links Hollywood To Hellenism
Jim Gianopulos, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Twentieth Century Fox Film, spoke to a rapt audience on February 7, 2013 on the rich and deep historical link of “Hollywood and Hellenism”. He was introduced by his pastor, the renowned Fr. John Bakas, Dean of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles, who spoke of the leadership and generosity of Gianopulos and his wife, Ann, to the Cathedral.
Alexander Payne's Filmmaking Journey
Alexander Payne, the award-winning screenwriter, film director and producer, known for films like The Descendants (2011), Sideways (2004), About Schmidt (2002), and Election (1999), spoke on February 8, 2013 on his life’s journey into filmmaking. He was introduced by his former pastor in Omaha, Nebraska, Very Rev. Fr. Eugene N. Pappas, now of Three Hierarchs Church in Brooklyn, New York.
Sam Galanis Joins WIth Gift In Full
Sam J. Galanis of Southgate, Michigan, a Senior Director-Investments at Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.’s Wyandotte, Michigan office, has joined Leadership 100 with a paid in full gift of $100,000. He was sponsored by Tom Jordan, a member of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Audit Committee. A Past President of Southgate’s St. George Greek Orthodox Church Parish Council and Past President of the Hellenic Bar Association of Michigan, Galanis is Trustee of the City of Southgate (MI) Pension Board.
Documentary "The Other Holy Land" Distributed To Public TV Stations
The Other Holy Land, a documentary that explores historical Christian sites in Asia Minor, now known as Turkey, was distributed to public television stations nationally on March 14. The film was satellite distributed to more than 342 public television stations throughout the country as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Showings are scheduled at WNYE HDTV for Monday, April 8, 2013 at 8:30 pm and Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 11:00 pm. Leadership 100 provided $120,000 in major funding and assisted in developing the original production in 2001.
George Sakellaris To Be Honored At Hellenic Times Scholarship Gala
George Sakellaris, business leader and philanthropist, will be honored for Humanitarian Leadership at the Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund Gala on Saturday, May 11, 2013.
Emergency Grant For Hurricane Sandy Relief
Charles H. Cotros, Chairman of Leadership 100, announced that the Executive Committee of Leadership 100, at an extraordinary teleconference call November 19, unanimously voted to grant $100,000 immediately to the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund, established by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese on November 6 in the wake of the devastating storm that hit hardest in most Northeastern states, especially New York and New Jersey, as well as in the Middle Atlantic and Midwest.
Message From Our Chairman
As we end the joyous holiday season, I am happy to report good news. Our membership efforts, after stirring events in New York and Houston, have resulted in 38 new members toward our goal of 50 by the Leadership 100 Annual Conference next February, which brings us to an historic total of 900 members. We are moving steadily toward our goal of 1,000 members by our 30th Anniversary in 2014.
Nia Vardalos To Speak At Conference
Nia Vardalos, the Canadian-American actress best known for the 2002 Academy Award–nominated film My Big Fat Greek Wedding, will speak on Friday evening, February 8. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada, she is an Academy Award nominated screenwriter, actor, director and producer.
New Jaharis Galleries Open
The new Mary and Michael Jaharis Galleries of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Art opened at the Art Institute of Chicago, in the couple’s hometown, at a special preview and gala dinner on November 10, 2012. The galleries are the latest philanthropic gift, joining similar galleries dedicated to the art of the Greco-Roman and Byzantine world, primarily at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, and also at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts.
St. Michael's Honors Vassiliou
St. Michael’s Home presented Argyris (RJ) Vassiliou with the Archangel Michael Award for a decade of service as a dedicated member of its Board of Trustees and as Treasurer, at the Annual Name Day Gala on November 11, 2012, citing him for embodying and promoting “the finest qualities and traditions of our Greek Orthodox heritage through his charitable gifts of selfless time, energy and talent.” Vassiliou is also a member of the Leadership 100 Executive Committee and Board of Trustees and its Treasurer.
20th Century Fox Film Head Links Hollywood To Hellenism
Jim Gianopulos, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Twentieth Century Fox Film, spoke to a rapt audience on February 7, 2013 on the rich and deep historical link of “Hollywood and Hellenism”. He was introduced by his pastor, the renowned Fr. John Bakas, Dean of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles, who spoke of the leadership and generosity of Gianopulos and his wife, Ann, to the Cathedral. The son of Greek immigrants and a native New Yorker, Gianopulos attended the Master’s program at the New York University School of Law, the Fordham School of Law, earning a Juris Doctor in 1976 and Boston University, earning a BA in 1973. He resides in Los Angeles with his wife and their three daughters.