George Logothetis, the Executive Chairman of Libra Group, recently opened his house to a number of students and other individuals from the American College of Greece (ACG) for a special event featuring General Andrew Poppas.
During the get-together, attendees had the chance to enjoy a candid chat with the decorated Greek American General. The event, which took place on April 16th, brought together the successful sons of Greek immigrants who joined the Greek diaspora decades ago. There, the two men shared their insights on a wide variety of issues, including leadership, history, and the importance of their Greek heritage for the development of their characters and careers.
The attendees and connection to ACG
The event that took place at George Logothetis’ house in NYC brought together over sixty alumni, staff, and interns from ACG, currently based in the New York City area. These individuals are part of the group of undergraduate students for the Libra Internship Program. ACG, also known as Deree in Greece, is a private, independent, non-profit liberal arts college located in Northern Athens, Greece.
ACG students and alumni, who were invited to this special evening, had the opportunity to reflect on their deep connection to the Libra Internship Program. This unique scheme offers unmatched opportunities to ACG’s students and was founded by Logothetis in partnership with ACG in 2011.
The program selects a number of ACG undergraduate students each year to relocate to the States and undertake paid internships with Libra Group and its global subsidiaries. This provides them with valuable work experience and exposure to various industries, boosting their CVs and confidence as they enter the competitive global job market.
General Poppas: “Steel and empathy”
Logothetis introduced General Poppas as “the best combination of steel and empathy.” These genuine words set the stage for the frank and engaging conversation that was about to follow. The two leaders did not hesitate to explore issues important to circles of the Greek diaspora, including strong leadership, the importance of knowing history to avoid mistakes and chart the future, and how Greek family ties and values have been integral to people’s success outside of the motherland.
General Poppas, who is now the commanding officer of the US Army Forces Command, shared the moving and inspiring story of his father and his emigration from Greece during tough times. Poppas explained that his father quite literally left with “only a shirt on his back,” joining so many others who embarked upon a life-changing journey of hope to the unknown.
Upon arriving in the US, his father was rescued by fellow Greeks who had already established their presence there. They provided him with a job at a diner, a crucial first step in his life story across the pond. Through the warmth and support of the Greek community, he survived, flourished, and ultimately built a beautiful family. In talking about his father, General Poppas had some warm words. “The commitment to the nation, commitment to the family, and commitment to your community was something that he had inculcated [in] us. And that’s carried me through,” Poppas noted emotionally.
During the conversation, General Poppas also talked candidly about one of his greatest leadership challenges—overcoming the loss of soldiers under his command in Iraq. He explained how he had to put his own grief aside to offer his unit a boost in morale and keep them focused on the mission. “You have to take the responsibility first for the formations that you’re in charge of because every decision you make, you know that there’s often lethal consequences on the back end,” Poppas noted strongly, emphasizing the true weight of leadership needed during times of crisis in the military.
Logothetis’ sustainable investments
The two men had the opportunity to discuss Libra Group’s sustainable investments in the US. These include an impressive 120 renewable energy projects. Additionally, Logothetis’ group is engaged in a shipyard producing CTVs for offshore wind, an LNG bunkering facility in Texas, as well as Lomarlabs, the maritime innovation arm of Lomar Shipping.
“After visiting Fort Bragg (a military installation in North Carolina also known as Fort Liberty) with Poppas, there were many emotions that I had. One of them was this is the first line of deterrent and the last line of defense of the West,” Logothetis remarked.
The conversation between Logothetis and General Poppas is another example of how the Greek American community can thrive and become a true asset to the US as a whole. Both men highlighted the importance of their Greek heritage and credited these values for shaping their leadership and achievements throughout their lives. The event also showed the importance of Libra Group’s investments in crucial areas for the future of the US economy, particularly in sustainable projects, which aim to create a better future for generations to come.
Their conversation was a great opportunity for students who attended to draw inspiration and understand the significance of strong leadership and Greek family ties and values.
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