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The American Hellenic Council Holds Annual Awards Gala

By on April 23, 2017

The American Hellenic Council (AHC) of California held its Annual Awards Gala this past April, honoring three distinguished individuals for their service to Hellenism and their excellence in their respective fields of expertise. This year’s honorees included Owner and Chairman of the Board of the Los Angeles Chargers, Dean Spanos who received the Aristeion Award in Business and Sports. Congresswoman Karen Bass who was honored with the Pericles Award, and Professor Stephen Miller who received the Theodore Saloutos Award for his exemplary work at Ancient Nemea.

President and Chairman of AHC Dr. Menas Kafatos, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

President and Chairman of AHC Dr. Menas Kafatos, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

The event, which attracted over 320 attendees, was held at the Omni Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. Demetrios Boutris, the President and CEO of Boutris Group, a Real Estate, Business & Policy Consulting Firm, was the Master of Ceremonies. The night’s entertainment was provided by the Takis Kokotas Band.

Honoree Dean Spanos, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

Honoree Dean Spanos, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

Dean Spanos, who received the Aristeion Award is the Owner and Chairman of the Board of the Los Angeles Chargers, as well as President of the A.G. Spanos Companies. Under Spanos’ leadership, the Chargers have broken numerous franchise records. During 11 seasons from 2004-14, the team won 113 games (playoffs included) – five of which were AFC West championships (2004, 2006-09) – and four playoff games. Only three teams in the NFL won more games during that time span.

Honoree, Congresswoman Karen Bass, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

Honoree, Congresswoman Karen Bass, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

Dean’s leadership is also present throughout the National Football League. As a member of the NFL’s Management Council Executive Committee (CEC), he played an integral role in negotiating the NFL’s current labor agreement. Through 2015, Spanos served as chairman of the NFL’s Business Ventures Committee, which has oversight regarding various league commercial activities, including consumer products, sponsorship, events, marketing, and new business initiatives. To this day, Spanos continues to serve on both committees. His previous committee work included membership on the NFL’s International and Legislative Committees.

Aris J. Anagnos, Aris Anagnos, and Assemblyman Matt Dababneh, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

Aris J. Anagnos, Aris Anagnos, and Assemblyman Matt Dababneh, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

The night’s second honoree, Congresswoman Karen Bass, is a Democrat serving as the U.S. Representative of California’s 37 district. She was first elected to Congress in 2010, prior to her election she represented the 47th district in the California State Assembly (2004-10), and was the first African-American woman to serve as Speaker of the California State Assembly (2008-2010). Currently, Representative Bass serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs where she is Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa as well as the House Judiciary Committee.

From left, Siamak Kordestani, Assistant Regional Director of the American Jewish Committee - Los Angeles, Niloufar Esfandi, Dr. Menas Kafatos, Dr. Susan Yang, Andreas Kyprianides, Hon. Consul General of Cyprus and Mika Kyprianides, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

From left, Siamak Kordestani, Assistant Regional Director of the American Jewish Committee – Los Angeles, Niloufar Esfandi, Dr. Menas Kafatos, Dr. Susan Yang, Andreas Kyprianides, Hon. Consul General of Cyprus and Mika Kyprianides, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

The evening’s third honoree, Professor Stephen Miller is a former Professor of Archaeology at UC Berkeley (1973-2004), and the former Director of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (1982-1987). Since 1973, Professor Miller has been the Director of Excavations at the site of Ancient Nemea. In 1994, after more than 20 years of archaeological excavations, Professor Miller’s love and passion for Hellenism led to the founding of The Society for the Revival of the Nemean Games. The first contemporary Nemean games were held in 1996.

From left to right, Susie Spanos, Dr. Susan Yang, and AHC Vice President Eleftheria Polychronis, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

From left to right, Susie Spanos, Dr. Susan Yang, and AHC Vice President Eleftheria Polychronis, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

In 2009, Professor Miller was one of 374 Classical Scholars from 20 different countries who sent a letter to President Barack Obama petitioning him to help preserve the historical integrity of Alexander the Great. It asked that U.S. diplomacy be used to stop the theft of history through fabricated truths and historic figures.

From left, Mike Manatos, Dr. Menas Kafatos, and Hon. Consul General Andreas Kyprianides, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

From left, Mike Manatos, Dr. Menas Kafatos, and Hon. Consul General Andreas Kyprianides, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

From left, Greek Consul General Gregory Karahalios, Dr. Menas Kafatos, AJC-LA Regional Director Siamak Kordestani, and Niloufar Esfandi, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

From left, Greek Consul General Gregory Karahalios, Dr. Menas Kafatos, AJC-LA Regional Director Siamak Kordestani, and Niloufar Esfandi, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

From Left to right: Mihran Toumajan, Western Region Director of the Armenian Assembly of America Elen Asatryan, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America- Western Region Ashod Mooradian, Esq., Treasurer of the Armenian National Committee of America- Western Region, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

From Left to right: Mihran Toumajan, Western Region Director of the Armenian Assembly of America Elen Asatryan, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America- Western Region Ashod Mooradian, Esq., Treasurer of the Armenian National Committee of America- Western Region, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

Dean and Susie Spanos, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

Dean and Susie Spanos, PHOTO: ALLEN ALTCHECH

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