Cystic Fibrosis Honors Baltimore’s “35 under 35”

Petrocheilos receives his Award from Katharine Scrivener, a Cystic Fibrosis survivor

by Maria Ioannides

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation honored thirty-five up and-coming leaders in the Baltimore area for their success in business and community involvement, at their annual 35 Under 35 Finest Event. The reception took place at the historic Baltimore Museum of Industry and more than 200 people attended. George Petrocheilos, who is still a student at the Johns Hopkins University, was among the honorees, and apparently he was the youngest person to ever receive this recognition (he is 21 years old), as well as the first Greek national.

His civic leadership and tireless fundraising efforts for several charities and start-up companies played a significant role in him gaining this ’35 Under 35’ Award.

But the ceremony was even more special for Petrocheilos, because of him winning a second recognition: the one of being the top fundraiser out of all the honorees. Every one of the ’35 Under 35’ Finest had to raise a minimum of $2,500 which will go directly to CF research. However, Petrocheilos was able to raise more than $12,500. Most of the movers and shakers of the state of Maryland were among those who personally supported George’s campaign.

George Petrocheilos and Aris Melissaratos

Some of the names that stood out were: Baltimore Orioles owner and superlawyer Peter G. Angelos, former Secretary of Business & Economic Development Aris Melissaratos, New York based shipowner George M. Logothetis of the Libra Group, Donn Weinberg via the Harry & Jeannette Weinberg Foundation, former Aether Systems boss Dave Oros, former CEO of T. Rowe Price Global Investments Group Todd Ruppert, A&R Development owner Theo C. Rogers, Nikos Mouyiaris of Mana Products, John Korologos of the Double T. Diners, Michael Cryor of The Cryor Group and Eleni Marketis of Marketis Enterprises.

When Mac Tisdale –the event’s MC and former President of SunTrust Bank- called George up on the stage for the second time, to recognize his fundraising job, he said addressing the audience: ‘‘… you all know him as George Petrocheilos, but we call him King George!’’. Then it was George’s turn to speak: He was very brief, thanking all who donated to his campaign, the guests, as well as the CFF staff who put the event together. He also thanked Katharine Scrivener, a cystic fibrosis survivor who also addressed the crowd, for her ‘‘amazing and moving’’ speech at the reception.

‘‘I ‘d like to dedicate this award to my mother who I love and is 5,000 miles away tonight, to Aris Melissaratos, who is inspiring me daily, and to every Cystic Fibrosis patient. And I am telling you, we will find the cure!’’, Petrocheilos said at a interview right after the event.