United by their important career achievements and by their contributions to the Greek American community and the community at-large, this year’s honorees were John Aniston, Award-winning actor, Peter Karmanos, Jr., Chairman & CEO of Compuware Corporation, owner, Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL and Philanthropist, Niki Leondakis, Chief Operating Officer, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Emanuel L. “Manny” Rouvelas, Partner, K&L Gates LLP and supporter of Hellenic educational endeavors and U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes, Third Congressional District of Maryland. The master of ceremonies for the evening was Thalia Assuras, former CBS News anchor, who currently is a communications consultant.
These individuals’ many accomplishments were celebrated throughout the evening and highlighted in congratulatory letters submitted to AHI by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Ambassador of Greece to the United States Vassilis Kaskarelis, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the United States Andreas S. Kakouris, World Council of Hellenes Abroad USA Region President Ted G. Spyropoulos, and International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus President Philip Christopher.
Opening the evening’s program was AHI Executive Director Nick Larigakis. The Marines of Headquarters Battalion presented the colors and the American and Greek national anthems were performed by Elena Stavrakas. Father Dimitrios Antokas, Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, Bethesda, Md., offered the invocation. The band Apollonia provided the musical entertainment.
American Hellenic Institute Secretary of the Board of Directors Nicholas G. Karambelas, Esq. introduced the master of ceremonies, Thalia Assuras and then AHI Founder and President Gene Rossides welcomed the evening’s guests. He also introduced AHI President Aleco Haralambides.
Other notable guests attending the dinner were, Angelos Pangratis, Charge d’ Affaires, acting head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United States; Athena Katsoulos, Deputy Director for European & Eurasian Public Affairs (DOS); Louis Caldera, former Clinton Secretary of the Army; retired Army Brigadier General Stephen Xenakis; John Sitilides, Chairman of the Woodrow Wilson Center Southeast Europe Project; Dennos Menos of the International Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures; Larry Michael the Voice of the Washington Redskins; Congressional Candidates George Demos (R-NY) and Dean Scontras (R-ME); President of the American College of Greece, Dr. David Horner and his wife Dr. Susan Horner; Basil Mossaidis, Executive Director, Order of AHEPA; Demetrios Kontolios, President, Chios Societies of America and Canada; Dr. George Moutsatsos, President, AHI-Delaware Chapter; Tina Papadopoulos, President, AHI-New England; Paul Sogotis, President, AHI-California; Kostas Kelas, VP Hellenic Bankers Association of NY; and two AHI members that travelled from Athens, Greece to attend the event, Gregory Kanakaris and Katerina Papathanassiou.
Notable members of the Press attending the dinner were: Helen Thomas, Dean of the White House Press Corps; Christine Brennan, USA Today Sports Columnist; Art Dimopoulos, Publisher, Odyssey Magazine; Greg Pappas, Publisher Greek America; Paul Kotrotsios, Publisher, the Hellenic News of America; Frosene Phillips, Managing Editor, The Hellenic Journal; Demetrios Rhompotis, Publisher, NEO Magazine; George Moshos, Executive Producer, Radio Olympus; Angeliki Contis, The National Herald; Katerina Voutsina, DC Bureau Reporter for the Greek Newspaper VIMA and Tom Ellis, DC Bureau chief for Greek Newspaper Kathimerini and Antenna TV.
Former AHI honorees at the dinner included Dr. George Tsetsekos, Dean, LeBow College of Business, Drexel University; Mrs. Marylin Rouvelas; Dr. Christine Warnke; Reverend John Tavlarides, Dean, Saint Sophia Cathedral, Washington, DC; Kathryn Porter, Tremendous Human Rights Activist; Senator Paul Sarbanes and Evangeline Gouletas.
