L100 Conference Celebrates Record Growth

“We have had a very successful year despite the economic downturn and the future looks bright. We have reached 813 members in all with 64 new members in 2008 alone and managed to raise in excess of $1million in special grant funds to allow our Endowment Fund to recover over 2009,”

Stephen G. Yeonas, Chairman of Leadership 100, told an estimated 340 members and their guests at the organization’s 25th Anniversary Celebration Conference in Puerto Rico, marking record growth in membership and continued success in raising new funds for grants despite the economic downturn. “There is no question in my mind that our ultimate goal of 1,000 members and $100 million in the Endowment Fund will be achieved before our 30th Anniversary. We are strivers and optimists by nature, faith and heritage and we will prevail!”

After two days of fora featuring the traditional Bible Study led by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, a business panel moderated by George D. Behrakis, (Chairperson of the Conference with his wife, Margo), which included Charles H. Cotros and John G. Pappajohn, and special talks by the prominent trial attorney Jacob Stein and Deborah Norville, host of Inside Edition, conferees gathered for the Grand Banquet Saturday night to honor Leadership 100 Founders, presenting them with the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Excellence, named for the visionary Archbishop Iakovos who initiated the organization in 1984.

Metropolitan Athenagoras of Mexico, who is Exarch of Central America and the Caribbean Islands, and Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta also attended. The entertainment was highlighted by the preeminent country soul singer, Ronnie Milsap, winner of seven Grammy Awards. New members and fulfilled members in attendance received special recognition and Leadership 100 Partners, the young professionals and future leaders, now numbering 74, met at two special events.

Paulette Poulos, Executive Director (Interim), in addressing the General Assembly, said:

“It is with great humility and a heart full of gratitude that I stand before you this morning to express my heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you who came to Puerto Rico to help celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Leadership 100. As we gather to honor our Founders, we are reminded of the monumental challenges each of them has faced in their lives and their amazing achievements and perseverance in support of our Church and Leadership 100, a shining example to all of us as we enter the next 25 years of our mission.”

©2009 NEOCORP MEDIA

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