Gus J. James, II, Re-elected to Second Term as Supreme President

WASHINGTON, D.C . - The delegates of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading Hellenic heritage organization, re-elected Gus J. James, II, Virginia Beach, Va., Supreme President for the 2006 - 2007 year. James was officially installed on Sunday with the rest of the new Supreme Lodge and Board of Directors.

"I am honored to be given the unique opportunity to serve as supreme president for a second consecutive term,” said James. “I will continue to work hard promoting AHEPA and its mission domestically and abroad. This effort, I strongly believe, will help AHEPA grow.”

James is the first president elected to a second term since Dr Spiro J. Macris who served from 1994 to 1996. He is a member of Robert E. Lee Chapter No. 122, Norfolk, Va., one of the strongest chapters in the AHEPA family.

James’s roots are in the northern occupied Cypriot village of Koma Tou Yialou, where his father and grandparents are buried. He left Cyprus at the age of seven with his two sisters. James is an Archon in the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle and a member of Annunciation Cathedral in Norfolk, Va.

The supreme president thanked outgoing supreme lodge members and his wife, Helen, and family members for their support.

James is the CEO and President of the Norfolk, Virginia law firm Kaufman & Canoles.

Supreme Lodge & Board of Directors Elections

The balance of the Supreme Lodge is a fine blend of veteran leadership combined with energetic newcomers. They are: Canadian President Foti Antoniou; Supreme Vice President Gus Stefanadis; Supreme Secretary Nick Karacostas; Supreme Treasurer Dr. John Grossomanides, Jr.; Supreme Counselor Chris Rockas and Supreme Athletic Director Dr. Monthe N. Kofos.

The eight Supreme Governors are: Mark Alevizos; Anthony Drakos; Anthony Kouzounis; Michael Manios; Harry Psaltis; James Selimos; Spiro Vasilakis and Tom Cavalaris.

AHEPA Family Elections

The remaining organizations that comprise the AHEPA family also held elections. Georgia Psichogios was elected Grand President of the Daughters of Penelope; Elias Papadopoulos was elected Supreme President of the Sons of Pericles and Maria Panayotou was elected Grand President of the Maids of Athena.

AHEPA is the largest Greek-American association in the world with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, and Cyprus and sister chapters in Australia and New Zealand. It was established in 1922 by visionary Greek Americans to protect Hellenes from prejudice originating from the KKK, and in its history, AHEPA joined with the NAACP and B'nai B'rith to fight discrimination.

The mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ideals of Hellenism, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual excellence.

The AHEPA family consists of four organizations: AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena.

For more information about the AHEPA family, or how to join, please contact AHEPA Headquarters, 202.232.6300, or visit www.ahepa.org/joinahepa. For instant information visit www.ahepa.org.

Front Row: Supreme Vice President Stefanadis; Supreme President Gus J. James; Canadian President Antoniou.
Second Row: Supreme Governor Kouzounis; Supreme Secretary Karacostas; Supreme Treasurer Grossomanides
Third Row: Supreme Governors Alevizos, Vasilakis, Drakos and Supreme Counselor Rockas.