The delegates of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading association for the nation’s three million American citizens of Greek heritage, and Philhellenes, elected Dr. John Grossomanides, Jr. supreme president at its 89th Annual Supreme Convention in Miami Beach, Fla. Dr. Grossomanides ran unopposed in elections that were held Saturday, July 23, 2011. He was also formally installed as supreme president along with the Supreme Lodge on Saturday.
“It is truly an honor to be elected supreme president of AHEPA,” said Dr. Grossomanides, Jr., a 27-year member of AHEPA. “Clearly there are many challenges we are facing. Greece and its people are experiencing an unprecedented economic crisis, the Republic of Cyprus is being pressed to reach a settlement, the plight of the Ecumenical Patriarchate persists and the need for community service is more in demand than ever.”
He continued, “I look forward to working with our new Supreme Lodge and our membership to overcome these challenges, address new ones that will emerge, and keep AHEPA on the steady path set forth by my predecessors in a spirit true to our mission.”
Dr. Grossomanides, who hails from Westerly, R.I., is a member of Rose of New England Chapter 110, in Norwich, Conn. He has served AHEPA in numerous leadership positions including two terms as supreme vice president and supreme secretary and all offices at the district and chapter levels. As supreme president, Dr. Grossomanides’ responsibilities include being the chief executive officer, and principal spokesperson, of the entire AHEPA domain, which includes the United States, Canada, Greece, and Cyprus.
The newly-elected supreme president is a senior clinical pharmacist at Advanced Pharmacy Concepts, North Kingstown, R.I. He served as president of the Rhode Island Pharmacist Association from 1995 to 1996 and served two years as grand regent of Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity. Dr. Grossomanides earned both his undergraduate and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the University of Rhode Island.
Dr. Grossomanides is a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Norwich. He is the son of AHEPA Life Member John G. and Celia Grossomanides. The supreme president is engaged to Anna-Helene Panagakos, Brooklyn, N.Y., who was elected Grand Secretary of the Daughters of Penelope.
Election of AHEPA Leadership for 2011-2012
The AHEPA Supreme Lodge is the international governing body of the organization.
The 2011-12 Supreme Lodge is comprised of: Supreme Vice President Anthony Kouzounis, Houston; Canadian President George Vassilas, Montreal, Quebec; Supreme Secretary Phillip T. Frangos, East Lansing, Mich.; Supreme Treasurer Andrew C. Zachariades, Brick, N.J.; Supreme Counselor George Loucas, Brecksville, Ohio; and Supreme Athletic Director Spiro Siaggas, Atlanta.
The eight Supreme Governors are: Region I: Sandy Papadopoulos, Atlanta; Region II: Dr. Peter Nickolas, Baltimore, Md.; Region III: James Kokotas, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Region IV: Nicholas Nikas, Old Greenwich, Conn.; Region V: Dr. Mark Zigoras, Cincinnati, Ohio; Region VI: Louis G. Atsavas, Lake Forest, Ill.; Region VII: Nick Dixie, Dallas, Texas; and Region VIII: Alex Christy, Portland, Ore.
Elected to positions on the Board of Trustees were: Nicholas A. Karacostas, Bayside, N.Y.; and Lee J. Millas, Trenton, N.J. Karacostas was elected chairman of the board and Millas was re-elected to the board. The board’s remaining officers are Vice Chairman John Galanis, Elm Grove, Wisc., and Secretary Constantine Highland, Shirley, N.Y. Vasilios Albanos, Ph.D., Darien, Ill., was re-elected to the Board of Auditors.
AHEPA Family Elections
The organizations that comprise the AHEPA Family also held elections. Nicky Stamoulis, Seminole, Fla. was elected Daughters of Penelope Grand President; Manolis Sfinarolakis, Woodbury, Conn., Sons of Pericles Supreme President; and Marianthe Kolokithas, Charleston, S.C., Maids of Athena Grand President.
Saturday’s Installation Ceremony of newly elected officers officially concluded the 89th AHEPA Supreme Convention, which began Monday, July 18. The 2012 Supreme Convention will convene at the Monte Carlo, Las Vegas.
“Today marks a somber day as we observe the 37th anniversary of the illegal invasion and occupation of the Republic of Cyprus by the Republic of Turkey. This was, and remains to this very day, an intolerable act; one that is a gross violation of the rule of law, human rights, and democratic ideals. We pause to remember the innocent civilians who lost their lives and the thousands who went missing, including four American citizens whose investigations remain incomplete. The illegal invasion and occupation caused the displacement of 170,000 Greek Cypriot refugees, including my family, who to this day are unable to return to their homes which is also a violation of human rights as determined by the European Commission on Human Rights.
“The ongoing direct talks between Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Dervis Eroglu, under the scope of the high-level UN Agreement of July 8, 2006, have provided minimal tangible progress toward a settlement to reunify Cyprus. This is due to the latter’s hardline positions that continue to present proposals outside UN parameters and European Union principles. It is our hope the July 7, 2011 meeting between the two sides and the UN secretary-general in Geneva will impress upon the Turkish Cypriot side the importance of presenting specific positions on the fundamental issues that are founded under UN parameters. This will help the process going forward.
“However, the key to a successful settlement also rests in Ankara. We call on the U.S. government to convey a strong message to Turkey that it must provide the Turkish Cypriot community with the necessary freedom to negotiate a solution within the July 8 framework, and equally as important, facilitate the removal of 43,000 of its troops from the island.
“Therefore, we restate our call for a reunified Cyprus with a single sovereignty, single international personality and single citizenship; and with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded as described in the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions. We contend that such a solution is in the best interest of all Cypriots, and must emanate from Cypriots themselves without arbitrary timetables.
“Furthermore, on this ‘black anniversary’ we call on Turkey to begin the removal of its 43,000 troops from Cyprus. These are troops that as American citizens we contend would serve a better purpose, especially to NATO, in another theatre such as Afghanistan as opposed to Cyprus where there have been more than 15 million incident-free crossings by Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
“We call for these actions in the best interests of the United States. A just and viable solution to the division of Cyprus will strengthen the eastern Mediterranean and bring peace and security to the region. Furthermore, it will aid Turkey’s candidacy to become a member of the European Union.
“Our hope is that we will no longer need to observe this ‘black anniversary,’ but instead, celebrate the anniversary of a settlement. AHEPA remains committed to doing all within its power to keep the Cyprus issue in the public eye until a just and viable solution is realized.”
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