Hellenic Heritage Achievement & National Public Service 43RD Anniversary American Hellenic

121 Pages·2017·17.13 MB·English

Hellenic Heritage
Achievement
& National Public Service
43RD Anniversary
OF THE
American Hellenic Institute
Saturday, March 3, 2018 • The Capital Hilton • Washington, DC
Congratulations
To Isidoros Garifalakis,
Our much loved and loyal Father, Papou, husband and friend
You’re an inspiration to all of us and we are so proud.
And to this Year’s Honorees
For your achievements and contributions in the world of Hellenism
AXIOS!
Agios Isidoros Church in Rovies, Evias.
“Success is dreams with hard work.
Failure is dreams with a lot of wishes.”
~ Isidoros Garifalakis
Maria Garifalakis, The Kosaris, Apostolou and Skiadas Families
Hellenic Heritage Achievement
and National Public Service Award
Each year the American Hellenic Institute hosts the Hellenic Heritage and National Public
Service Awards Dinner to honor a distinguished set of Greek Americans, philanthropists
and philhellenes based upon their important career achievements and contributions to the
Greek American community or community at-large.
The illustration of the Hellenic Heritage and National Public Service Award is based upon
the many images of the Goddess of Victory that appear on the approximately 300 extant
Panathenaic amphorae which—filled with oil from the olive trees sacred to Athena—
was the highest prize bestowed upon the victorious athletes, musicians and poets of the
quadrennial Panathenaic Festival, the single most important festival celebrated in ancient
Athens.
The award is carved by sculptor Constantine L. Seferlis. Inspired by the glorious
architecture of his birthplace Athens, Mr. Seferlis was best known for his craftsmanship at
the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, where for 18 years he designed
and carved more than 150 original pieces on the interior and exterior including gargoyles,
flowers and the universe of decoration that is the heart of Gothic architecture.
Mr. Seferlis worked extensively in Washington, D.C. including at the National Shrine
of the Immaculate Conception, the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument. Since
1982, he had been the preservation architect at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington
DC where he was in charge of restoration of the “Castle” and thirteen other Smithsonian
Museum buildings. He was inducted into the National Sculptor Society in New York in
1971 and the National Academy of Design in 1974. He also starred in the 1984 Academy
Award winning documentary film “The Stone Carvers.”
Mr. Seferlis passed away March 27, 2005 at the age of 76.
PROGRAM
Opening & Introduction of Master of Ceremonies
Nicholas E. Chimicles, Esq.
Board of Directors, American Hellenic Institute
Master of Ceremonies
Larry Michael
Chief Content Officer and Executive Producer of Media, The Washington Redskins
Presentation of the Colors
The Marines of Headquarters Battalion
Headquarters, United States Marine Corps
Greek and American National Anthems
Maria Pearce
Invocation
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco
assisted by Reverend Dimitrios J. Antokas
Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, Bethesda, MD
U.S.: Honored Country–2018
Thessaloniki International Fair
Jonathan Cohen
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, European & Eurasian Affairs,
U.S. Department of State
Greetings
Constantine Galanis
President, American Hellenic Institute Foundation
Nick R. Larigakis
President, American Hellenic Institute
Dinner
A Reflection on a Decade of Success:
AHIF’s Foreign Policy Student Trip to Greece and Cyprus
Constance Douris
Vice President, Lexington Institute
Elias Gerasoulis
Student, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
HELLENIC HERITAGE ACHIEVEMENT
& NATIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE AWARDS
HELLENIC HERITAGE HELLENIC HERITAGE
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Nancy Papaioannou Isidoros Garifalakis
President, Atlantic Bank of New York Businessman and Philanthropist
HELLENIC HERITAGE HELLENIC HERITAGE NATIONAL
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
Tim Tassopoulos Phil Angelides
President and Chief Operating Officer, Businessman, California State Treasurer
Chick-fil-A (1999-2007) and Chairman, U.S. Financial
Crisis Inquiry Commission (2009-2011)
Benediction
Silent Auction
Music Provided by APOLLONIA
AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE, INC.
Board of Directors
Nick Larigakis, President
James Lagos, Esq., Vice President
Nicholas G. Karambelas, Esq., Treasurer
Kostas Alexakis, Esq., Secretary
Leon Andris Aleco Haralambides, Esq.
Dr. Athina Balta James L. Marketos, Esq.
Peter Bota James Pedas
Nicholas E. Chimicles, Esq. Gene Rossides, Esq.
Van Coufoudakis, Ph.D. George Tsetsekos, Ph.D.
Demitrios Halakos
AFFILIATES
Area Representatives
Louis Katsos, President, AHI-New York
Constantine Larigakis, President, AHI-New Jersey
Spiros Mantzavinos, President, AHI-Delaware
Paul Sogotis, President, AHI-California
Mariyana Spyropoulos, Esq., President, AHI-Chicago
AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE FOUNDATION, INC.
Board of Directors
Constantine A. Galanis, President
Nicholas G. Karambelas, Esq., Secretary
James H. Lagos, Esq., Treasurer
John Alahouzos Gene Rossides, Esq.
Gus Andy Spiro Spireas, Ph.D.
Nick Larigakis Kyriakos Y. Tsakopoulos
Eleni Rossides
AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE – Athens Chapter
Ilias Malevitis, President, AHI-Greece
George C. Economou, President, AHI-Athens Chapter
Angelos Karmaniolas
Katerina Papathanassiou
Sylvia Gavalla
Staff
Peter Milios, Legislative Director
Constantine Politis, Legislative Assistant and Special Projects Coordinator
Yola Pakhchanian, Director of Publications
Marina Kiotsekoglou, Research Intern
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Larry Michael
Chief Content Officer & Senior Vice President
The Washington Redskins
Larry Michael is the “Voice of the Washington Westwood One (1999-2004), NCAA Basketball
Redskins as well as the TV host for the on Westwood One, HBO Boxing Beat (1997-
Redskins Broadcast Network. He is a 11-time 2003), Notre Dame pre-game Coaches Show
Emmy Award winner for his work with the on Westwood One, “Voice of the George
Redskins Broadcast Network, and his current Washington Colonials” (1991-2004) EA Sports
on-air work includes his role as “Voice of “Knockout Kings” video game (2002-2003),
the Washington Redskins” (2004-present), Ballroom Boxing on Comcast Sports Net (1996-
as well as Hosting Redskins Nation on NBC 2004), Michael has also covered 8 Olympic
Sports Washington (Daily 2007-present) and Games, 21 U.S. Open Championships, 12
the Redskins Coaches Show on WRC NBC Masters Tournaments and 15 Super Bowls. Mr.
4. He is also currently Chief Content Officer Michael is active in area charities including
and Senior Vice President of Media for the The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and
Washington Redskins. He is responsible for is a member of the board of Trustees for the
the team’s Video content on Redskins.com, as Joe Gibbs Youth for Tomorrow Youth Home.
well as production of all Redskins Broadcast He previously worked for Westwood One, the
Network Television shows and broadcasts. He nation’s leader in radio program syndication, as
is also currently a selector/voter for the Pro Executive Producer and Senior Vice President,
Football Hall of Fame. where his duties included rights negotiations
Some of his other recent credits include: Host with the NFL, USGA, Masters, NCAA, NHL,
Inside the Redskins (WRC NBC 4 2009- Notre Dame, and NBC Olympics, as well as
2011) Redskins Game Day (WTTG Fox 5 all programming and production. He is a
2007-2009), Showtime Championship Boxing Graduate of the University of Maryland, with a
reporter (2001-2003), NFL Play By Play on degree in Radio Television and Film.
HELLENIC HERITAGE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Nancy Papaioannou
For her commitment to the Hellenic ideals of
entrepreneurship and service.
After a career spanning more than two decades with in 2014. Today she serves the HACC as Chair of the
Atlantic Bank of New York, Nancy Papaioannou was Board. Nancy also serves on the Board of Directors of
elected President of the Bank in July 2013, becoming the National Hellenic Society.
the first woman to hold the role in the long and storied
A native of Greece, Nancy remains an active
history of Atlantic Bank.
philanthropist and is driven to help those in need. A
As an affiliate of New York Community Bank, Nancy member of the Board at Mount Sinai Queens Hospital,
has led Atlantic Bank’s continued partnership with the Nancy is an active member of the Archdiocesan
Greek American and Cypriot American communities, Cathedral Philoptochos Society.
helping to re-establish Atlantic Bank as the key financial
Recognition of her success and her passion has come
partner for Hellenic business community in New York
from far and wide. She won the title of Distinguished
and across the country, solidifying its position as the
Person of the Year at 2017 Hellenic News of America
largest Greek American banking institution in the
Thirtieth Anniversary Gala, Greek American Woman
United States.
of the Year at the 2016 Association of Greek American
Professional Women Annual Awards Gala, and the
Additionally, under Nancy’s leadership, Atlantic
Astoria Leadership Award at the 2015 Central Astoria
Bank has renewed its commitment to Hellenes and
Local Development Coalition Thirty-Fifth Anniversary
philhellenes alike, both in the United States and in
Celebration. Later this year, Nancy will serve as
Greece, increasing philanthropic partnerships and
Chairwoman of the 2018 Greek Independence Day
sponsorships, and working to assist Greece whenever
parade down Fifth Avenue in New York, the largest such
possible in the wake of its financial crisis. Having held
parade in the world outside of Greece.
a myriad of roles at Atlantic Bank, in nearly every
facet of operations, Nancy understands that the clients Nancy holds a BA in Accounting and Business
come first. Managing a client-driven institution not Management from Marymount Manhattan College and
only preserves the Bank’s unique culture, it makes for a has earned additional credits and certifications from
profitable institution, one that is better able to support Saint John’s University and New York University. She is
the Greek and Cypriot business communities and fluent in Greek, English and French.
promote Hellenic heritage.
In recognition of her leadership and commitment to her
A natural extension of her role at the Bank, Nancy community, customers and industry, we present Nancy
has long been involved with the Hellenic American Papaioannou with the Hellenic Heritage Achievement
Chamber of Commerce (HACC), serving on the Board Award this third day of March, 2018, at our Forty-third
of Directors since 2005 and being elected President Anniversary Dinner.
HELLENIC HERITAGE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Isidoros Garifalakis
For his passionate commitment to integrity and honesty in
business, philanthropic achievements, and his support of
Orthodoxy.
Isidoros Garifalakis is the founder and CEO of Isidoros is a recognized and honored philanthropist
Vancouver, Washington based Omega Industries, Inc., with a generous nature that has shaped his work and
the nation’s largest railroad crossing supplier and a relationships with people. Always active in his Church,
world-wide leader in steel fabrication, railroad track he is also a member of the National Hellenic Society,
products and dredging equipment. and a sponsor of the Hellenic American Cultural Center
in Portland. In 2003, Isidoros was appointed Archon
Isidoros was born in Palioxori, Evia Greece in 1947 - the
of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He was honored with
youngest of seven children. The value of hard work was
the PLATO Award and years later he received the
learned at an early age. Isidoros joined the Merchant
Marines at the age of 16 to support his parents and Humanitarian Award at the Annual Greek Folk Dance
siblings. In 1967, he served in the military for three Festival. He currently serves on the Advisory Board
years as an officer. and Council to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San
Francisco, which includes; St. Nicholas Ranch, and
The same grit and determination that were forged in
Leadership 100. He is the chairman of the San Francisco
the military set the stage for his success later in life.
Metropolis Fundraising committee and is the leader in
Recently married at the age of 23, Isidoros arrived in the
Fundraising for the St. John the Forerunner Monastery in
United States and began washing dishes with the goal
Goldendale, Washington and San Francisco Metropolis.
of bringing his wife, Maria, to U.S. as well. Within five
He is also on the Archdioceses National Council.
years of arriving in the United States, Isidoros was able
to learn English and obtain American citizenship. In addition to his contributing and honoring his heritage
in the United States, Isidoros and Maria maintain strong
Isidoros worked day and night, so that Maria could
ties to their roots and hometown village in Greece. They
be home to raise their three daughters. In 1978, with
not only financially support family and those in need in
courage, dreams and $500 in savings, he purchased his
the village but generously fund projects in Monasteries,
first welding machine with the vision of starting his
Churches, Schools, and even established Health Clinics
own company.
in their village and surrounding areas.
Isidoros never stopped believing in himself and never
gave up. Consequently, customers quickly took notice In recognition of his embodiment of the best of both
of his determination and commitment to quality. With Hellenic ideals and the American Dream and his support
the help and faith of those first customers, the meteoric of Orthodoxy, we present Isidoros Garifalakis with the
trajectory of Omega Industries was established early Hellenic Heritage Achievement Award this third day of
and has never diminished. March, 2018, at our Forty-third Anniversary Dinner.
HELLENIC HERITAGE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Tim Tassopoulos
For his visionary leadership in business and fidelity to
Orthodoxy and youth.
Tim Tassopoulos is the President and Chief Operating Master’s in Business Administration from Georgetown
Officer of Chick-fil-A, Incorporated, where he first University in Washington, D.C. in 1983 and received
began working as an hourly restaurant team member the Graduate Student Service Award.
nearly 40 years ago.
Tim is a member of the Board of Trustees at Oglethorpe
After studying history and political science as an University where he is the current Chairman. He is also
undergraduate, Tim felt the call to return to Chick-fil-A, a member of the Advisory Board for the McDonough
where he valued the culture operating ethos which so School of Business at Georgetown.
closely mirrored that of his Hellenic heritage.
Passionate about youth and education, Tim is a member
Shortly after joining the corporate staff as a business of several community organizations. He is a former
consultant in the early 1980s, Tim took on responsibilities Board member of the Hellenic College and Holy Cross
to help solve one of the company’s greatest business Greek Orthodox School of Theology, the advisory
board of the Atlanta Area Council for the Boy Scouts of
challenges: evolving Chick-fil-A restaurants from a
America, and the Board of Growing Leaders in Atlanta.
mall concept into free-standing locations. Today, Chik-
Tim is an active Board member of The Boys and Girls
fil-A has more than 2,000 units and has evolved from
Club of Metro Atlanta as well as the national Board of
a regional player into a national franchise powerhouse,
Orthodox Christian Fellowship.
with restaurants coast-to-coast.
Tassopoulos and his wife, Maria, have two college aged
Tim has served Chick-fil-A in multiple positions,
sons, Luke and Nicholas. They are active members of
mostly in operations, culminating in his appointment as
the Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in
President in 2016, where he leads the company’s senior
Marietta, Georgia. He continues to teach high school
leadership team, the Executive Committee.
Catechism as he has for over 35 years and Maria is active
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, all four of Tim’s with the college ministry at the parish. Tassopoulos is an
grandparents were born in Greece and emigrated to the Archon of the Order of St. Andrew of the Ecumenical
United States in the early 1900’s. Tim’s childhood was Patriarchate.
centered around the Church, where he, along with his
In recognition of his extraordinary success as a business
brother and parents, were very active.
leader and his fidelity to Orthodoxy and youth, we present
Tassopoulos attended Oglethorpe University in Atlanta Tim Tassopoulos with the Hellenic Heritage Achievement
and graduated in 1981 as Valedictorian with a Bachelor’s Award this third day of March, 2018, at our Forty-third
degree in History and Political Science. He earned his Anniversary Dinner.