Chicago, IL – The delegates of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA), elected George G. Horiates, Esq., of Moorestown, NJ, Supreme President at the 97th Annual Supreme Convention, Chicago. Horiates, 52, ran unopposed in elections that were held July 5, 2019. Formal installation ceremonies were held July 6, 2019.
In his inaugural remarks, Supreme President Horiates paid tribute to our community’s immigrant forebears, including his own who came to the United States as survivors of World War II, stating the Greek American community has an obligation to preserve and project its Hellenic heritage to ensure its survives for future generations.
Horiates, a member of Chapter 69, Camden, NJ, also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the delegates for entrusting him to lead the Order into the start of the next decade. He stated he is looking forward to working with the Brotherhood as “One AHEPA.”
Moreover, Horiates articulated an overarching goal of reinvigorating AHEPA’s base while continuing to outreach to the community. In doing so, he has set the ambitious goal to increase membership collectively between all four Orders of the AHEPA Family to 100,000.
AHEPA Leadership 2019-2020
AHEPA Leadership, Photo: Dimitrios Panagos
The AHEPA Supreme Lodge is the international governing body of the organization.
The Executive Committee of the 2019-20 Supreme Lodge is comprised of: Canadian President Christos Argiriou, Winnipeg, Manitoba; Supreme Vice President Jimmy Kokotas, Brooklyn, NY; Supreme Secretary James Stasios, Wilmington, NC; Supreme Treasurer Savas Tsivicos, Wayside, NJ; and Supreme Counselor Louis G. Atsaves, Esq., Lake Forest, IL.
The nine Supreme Governors are: Region I: Demetrios C. Kirkiles, Esq., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.; Region II: George Papaspyrou, Riva, MD; Region III: Tom Duchas, Rye, NY; Region IV: Jack Isaac, New Britain, CT; Region V: Alex Anderson, Springfield, OH; Region VI: Peter Lekas, Chicago; Region VII: Chris Kaitson, Houston; Region VIII: Alexander Soles, Yorba Linda, CA; and Region X: Phanos Pitiris, Nicosia, Cyprus. Sons of Pericles National Advisor is Nick Kavadas, Schererville, IN; and Supreme Athletic Director Chris Atsaves, Glenview, IL.
AHEPA Family Elections
The organizations that comprise the AHEPA Family also held elections. Celia Kachmarski, Calgary, Alberta, was elected Daughters of Penelope Grand President; Paul Pavlakos, New York, NY, was elected Sons of Pericles Supreme President; and Theodora Ronstadt, Chicago, was elected Maids of Athena Grand President.
Photo: Dimitrios Panagos
The Installation Ceremony of newly-elected officers officially concluded the 97th AHEPA Supreme Convention, which began June 30. It was truly a historic Installation Ceremony as it was the first one ever attended by the Archbishop of America with the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros.
The 2020 Supreme Convention will convene at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, FL.