New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. with honorees and co-sponsors at his Greek Heritage and Culture celebration at Surrogate's Court on March 31, 2009.  Pictured (back, l to r) are: Constantine Gajdjis, Music Director, Hellenic Music Foundation; Gregory Gounardes, Bouzouki Artist; Timoleon Kokkinos, Principal, Saint Demetrios Astoria Afternoon School; The Very Reverend Eugene N. Pappas, Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church, Brooklyn; Anthony J. Limberakis, M.D., National Commander, Archon Aktouarios; Steven Tsavaris, President, Ponce de Leon Federal Bank; (front, l to r) Katia Zallas-Rosati, Soprano, President/Founder, Hellenic Music Foundation; Theano Apostolou, Senior Vice President, Publicity & Talent Relations, AMC ; Thompson; Tasso Manessis, Chairman, Pan Gregorian Fund; Helen Psaras, President, Greek American Property Owners Association of Brooklyn; and, Eleni Tousimis, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery and Associate Program Director, New York-Presbyterian Weill-Cornell Medical Center.  Photo credit: Marla Maritzer.

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. last night honored five leaders at his eighth annual Greek Heritage Celebration. The event was co-sponsored by the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America, and the Greek American Property Owners Association of Brooklyn.

“Most of us also know Greece as being the cradle of democracy,” Thompson said at the event at Surrogate’s Courthouse in downtown Manhattan. “The word democracy is derived from the Greek word demokratia, which was created by joining demos, or people, with kratia, or rule. It is the foundation of our own nation’s Constitution. Today we celebrate the principle of democracy, founded in Ancient Greece, instilled in the very soul of the Greek people and passed on through generations.”

He continued, “For two centuries, Greek-Americans have been an integral part of New York’s history and identity. Starting in the 19th century, Greek immigrants came to New York seeking opportunity and a better life for themselves and their children. Tonight, we are paying tribute to this rich heritage as we honor a distinguished group of Greek Americans who are all leaders in their fields.”

Thompson presented the first award to Theano Apostolou, Senior Vice President of publicity, talent relations and promotional events for AMC.  In that capacity, she has overseen all consumer press communications for the programming, talent and award consideration campaigns for the network’s first original series, Mad Men.

“In recognition of her outstanding efforts in the communications field, it is my pleasure to present this Greek Heritage award to Theano Apostolou,” Thompson said.

Educator Timoleon Kokkinos received the second award. Kokkinos has worked for the Community of St. Demetrios Astoria, first as a Greek teacher in the Elementary and Junior High Schools, and later as Head of the Greek Department of the Elementary School. He currently serves as Principal of the St. Demetrios Afternoon School, a position he has held since 1996.

“In recognition of his innumerable contributions to the furtherance of Greek education and scholarship, it is my pleasure to present this award to Timoleon Kokkinos,” Thompson said.

Thompson presented his Lifetime Achievement Award to Anthony Limberakis, a noted physician and Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (the highest honor a layman may achieve in the Orthodox Church.) As a very active member of the Greek Orthodox Church, Dr Limberakis also serves as the National Commander of the Order of St. Andrew.

“Dr. Limberakis’ many honors reflect his commitment to both his profession and the Greek community,” Thompson said. “In recognition of his outstanding achievements in medicine and in service to the Greek American community, it is my pleasure to present this Lifetime Achievement award to Anthony Limberakis.”

The fourth honoree was physician and educator, Eleni Tousimis. Dr. Tousimis is a breast surgeon at the New-York-Presbyterian Weill-Cornell Medical Center, and is an assistant professor of Surgery at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. She is a highly skilled, experienced surgeon, specializing in state-of-the-art minimally-invasive treatment options. 

“For her work, Dr. Tousimis enjoys an outstanding reputation for excellence and commitment among her professional colleagues, her students and her patients,” Thompson said. “In recognition of her many achievements in the field of medicine and women’s health, it is my pleasure to present this award to Eleni Tousimis.”

The final honoree of the evening was banking executive Steven Tsavaris. Mr. Tsavaris is currently President of Ponce de Leon Federal Bank, a position he has held for 14 years. His work at Ponce de Leon caps a long career in the business and finance field, including work as Marketing Officer of National Bank of North America, as regional sales manager for Litton Financial, as the owner of Pan American Money Express and as an entrepreneur in the food business with the Burger Barn restaurant.

“In recognition of his many achievements in the fields of banking and finance, it is my pleasure to present this Greek Heritage award to Steven Tsavaris,” Thompson said.

The Very Reverend Eugene Pappas of Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church in Brooklyn led the invocation and the benediction at the ceremony. Katia Zallas-Rosati, president and founder of the Hellenic Music Foundation, and Gregory Gounardes, a senior at Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn, performed at the event.

For photographs, contact Marla Maritzer at (212) 669-2597 or mmaritz@comptroller.nyc.gov.

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