Nicholas A. Karacostas
Unanimously Elected Supreme President
New York City Attorney to Lead Organization into its 88th Year

SAN FRANCISCO - 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 countless Philhellenes, unanimously elected Nicholas A. Karacostas their supreme president at its 87th Annual Supreme Convention in San Francisco. Karacostas ran unopposed in elections that were held Saturday, July 4, 2009. He was formally installed as supreme president today.




"Words cannot express how humbled and honored I am to be elected AHEPA Supreme President," said Karacostas, who emigrated from Kyrenia, Cyprus as a three-year-old with his family. "It is the culmination of 30 years of service to the organization, dating back to my membership in the Sons of Pericles."

He continued, "I look forward to working with our new Supreme Lodge, and entire membership, to keep AHEPA on the steady path set forth by my predecessors. There are many challenges facing the community, and new ones will emerge. However, I'm confident we will strive to overcome them together in true spirit to our mission."

Karacostas, who hails from Flushing, N.Y., is a 25-year member of AHEPA Gus Cherevas - Estia-Pindus Chapter 326, in Flushing. He has served AHEPA in numerous leadership positions including supreme vice president, two terms as supreme counselor, and on its Board of Directors. As supreme president, Karacostas' 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 was born in Kyrenia, Cyprus and immigrated to the United States three years later. Karacostas, an attorney, is the senior vice president of Arch Insurance Group. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the New York Bar Association, and National Institute for Trial Advocacy. Karacostas received his J.D. from the City of New York Law School and is a graduate of New York University.



Karacostas and his wife, Anna,
have two daughters, Georgia and Andreana.
Karacostas has served on the Parish Council of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Flushing, N.Y., for six years. Also, he is a legal advisor to the Pancyprian Association of America Inc., and serves on the Board of Directors of HANAC, Inc. and St. Michael's Home.

Election of AHEPA Leadership for 2009-2010

The AHEPA Supreme Lodge is the international governing body of the organization.

The 2009-10 Supreme Lodge is comprised of: Supreme Vice President Dr. John Grossomanides, Jr., Westerly, R.I.; Canadian President Nick Aroutzidis, Ontario; Supreme Secretary Anthony Kouzounis, Houston; Supreme Treasurer Col. Nicholas P. Vamvakias (ret.), Fairfax, Va.; Supreme Counselor Anastasios Konstantin, Oakland, Calif.; and Supreme Athletic Director Spiro Siaggas, Atlanta.

The eight Supreme Governors are: Region I: Peter S. Sergis, Rockledge, Fla.; Region II: John Mesogitis, Venetia, Pa.; Region III: Theodore Manolios, Lidenhurst, N.Y.; Region IV: Alex G. Geourntas, Roslindale, Mass.; Region V: Chris D. Kontos, Grosse Isle., Mich.; Region VI: Tom Gober, Highland, Ind.; Region VII: James J. Peros, Denver; and Region VIII: Peter T. Triantafyllos, West Hills, Calif. Mesogitis and Gober were re-elected.

Elected to positions on the Board of Trustees were: Franklin R. Manios, Warren, Ohio; and John Galanis, Elm Grove, Wisc. Manios, a past supreme president, was re-elected. Nick Dixie, Dallas, Texas, was elected to the Board of Auditors.

AHEPA Family Elections

The organizations that comprise the AHEPA Family also held elections. Elaine M. Sampanis, West Chester, Ohio, was elected Daughters of Penelope Grand President; Dean Tselepis, Wyckoff, N.J., Sons of Pericles Supreme President; and Sia Zois, Dayton, Ohio, Maids of Athena Grand President.

Today's Installation Ceremony of newly elected officers officially concludes the 87th AHEPA Supreme Convention, which began Monday, June 29, 2009.

(Posting date 21 July 2009)

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) is the largest and oldest American-based, Greek heritage grassroots membership organization. Its scope is international with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, and Cyprus, and "sister" chapters in Australia and New Zealand under the auspices of AHEPA Australasia. AHEPA was founded on July 26, 1922 in response to the evils of bigotry and racism that emerged in early 20th century American society. It also helped Greek immigrants assimilate into society. Today, AHEPA brings the ideals of ancient Greece, which includes philanthropy, education, civic responsibility, and family and individual excellence to the community. The AHEPA family consists of four organizations: AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena. For more information about the organization or how to join, contact AHEPA Headquarters (202-232-6300) or visit the organization's newly redesigned website at http://www.ahepa.org.

HCS maintains an extensive archives of AHEPA articles and press releases which readers are invited to browse under the AHEPA Family Releases section of the site archives at http://www.helleniccomserve.com/archiveahepa.html.


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