LEADERSHIP 100 12TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE HONORS SARBANES, TENET AND YANNI, RE-ELECTS ANTON CHAIRMAN
New York, NY -- The Leadership 100 Award for Excellence was presented to United States Senator Paul S. Sarbanes, CIA Director George J. Tenet and the famed contemporary instrumentalist Yanni at the 12th Annual Conference of the membership of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, held February 19-23, at The Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island, Florida.
The CIA Director, George Tenet, was the first to receive the honor after delivering a stirring talk at the Forum on Hellenism on Thursday, February 20. The son of Greek immigrants, Tenet called the gathering his “extended family” and said he awoke each morning honoring his father and his mother.
The CIA Director described the current world situation as a ”world in turbulence” where conditions of poverty, disease and human misery created a sanctuary and breeding ground for terrorism. He said that while the last 16 months saw success in combating terrorism, there is concern over other looming threats such as the spread of AIDS in Africa to Russia, China and Eastern Europe, creating unstable societies. He cited the cooperation of many Arab countries in eliminating the worldwide terrorist network. Tenet said his models for public service are the late Senator Paul Tsongas, Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes and former Representative John Brademas. He urged young Greek Americans to consider careers in public service.
Senator Sarbanes led the Business Forum on Friday, February 21, speaking on his pioneering legislation, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which addresses corporate reform and accounting standards and was passed into law last July. He described the intricate process of gaining adoption, which was finally achieved when major corporate scandals continued to shock the nation. The Senator, a Democrat from Maryland, cited the necessity of maintaining confidence in America’s capital markets as the major motivation for his actions in combating corruption in corporate management and in auditing firms, as well as in securities trading. He said that the scandals had seriously shaken confidence in a system admired around the world.
In response to his remarks, Peter Barris, a Leadership 100 member who heads a venture capital firm, led a panel consisting of Leadership 100 members Charles H. Cotros, recently retired CEO of Sysco Corporation, George Stamas, an international lawyer and Phil Angelides, the California State Treasurer. The panel challenged some aspects of the legislation, and Senator Sarbanes acknowledged that some changes would be necessary, especially regarding additions to his original bill. But all agreed that Sarbanes, the son of Greek immigrants and Maryland’s longest serving U.S. Senator, had achieved great success in his legislative leadership.
Yanni, best known for his groundbreaking concerts at the Acropolis, the Taj Mahal and the Forbidden City, whose albums have global sales of more than 20 million and has received 35 gold and platinum awards, was honored along with Sen. Sarbanes at the Grand Banquet on Saturday, February 22. He said his medium wasn’t words, but music, and that he was stirred by the words acknowledging his achievements. After a temporary absence from performing, the unique musician will launch a 58-city U.S. concert tour in March.
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, who joined Leadership 100 Chairman Arthur C. Anton in presenting the awards, said the three honorees were all agents of transformation in their respective fields, and he spoke of the Gospel message as one of transformation calling for the renewal of our lives and minds. The Archbishop led two Bible Studies, which have become the cornerstone of Leadership 100 conferences.
In other actions, the Leadership 100 Board of Trustees reelected Arthur C. Anton to a two-year term as Chairman. The Board also reelected John A. Payiavlas, Vice Chairman, Bert W. Moyar, Treasurer and Constantine G. Caras, Secretary, to two-year terms as well. In addition, it reelected Caras, George Behrakis and George Marcus to three-year terms on the Executive Committee and 13 members of the Board of Trustees Class of 2003 to three-year terms on the Board.
Archbishop Demetrios, in his addresses at all the meetings and events throughout the Conference, praised Leadership 100, which has made more than $13 million in grants since its founding in 1984, for its $10 million commitment to scholarships for candidates for the priesthood at Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology, for its new program eliminating student loan debt for active clergy, for underwriting Internet Ministries and Information Technology at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and for assisting youth and family ministries.
Despite major disruptions in travel due to the severe weather in many parts of the country, some 350 members and guests attended the Conference, including Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago, Metropolitan Anthony of San Francisco, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, and Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos.
Over the last 3 years, Leadership 100 membership has grown dramatically, now fast approaching 700 members, and has raised close to $40 million in new commitments.
