Executive Board
Dennis Droushiotis, President
Dennis C. Droushiotis is the former Trade Commissioner in the United States for the Republic of Cyprus. Mr. Droushiotis holds a masters degree in International Economics from Columbia University. He established the first Cyprus Trade Office in the U.S. and implemented export promotion programs that saw Cypriot Exports to the United States increase from $700,000 to over $32 million. The Trade Office’s bilateral initiatives have also played part in the U.S. becoming number 1 exporter to Cyprus with two-way trade at all time high.
Mr. Droushiotis also help found the Cyprus-US. Chamber of Commerce, inaugurated in 1998. He has also been involved in bilateral trade negotiations with the United States Office of the Special Trade Representative and at the international level as well as a delegate to the World Trade Organization and other multi-lateral conferences. He has been an advisor to the Central Bank of Cyprus, served as a Director of Tourism for North America 1980 – 1990, and as Economic Counselor of the Permanent Mission of Cyprus to the United Nations.
Mr. Droushiotis has served on a number of associations, including the International Olympic Committee, the European Travel Commission, the American Exporters and Importers Association, American Cheese Society and is a founding member of the European Wine Council headquartered in New York. Dennis and his wife Polly live in New York City and have two children.
Andreas Comodromos, Chairman
Andreas D. Comodromos was born in Vatili, Famagusta, Cyprus the oldest of six children. He immigrated to the United States in April of 1974 with his family and pursued a college degree. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. Peter’s College in 1978, with a B.S. degree in Accounting and joined the audit staff of the international accounting firm or Ernst & Ernst and earned his CPA in 1982. He co-founded the accounting firm of Comodromos Associates, PA with his brother Michael and serves as president and managing partner of the firm, based in Paramus, New Jersey. He has served several positions on the Board of the Cyprus Federation of America and was elected Supreme President for two consecutive terms, from 1991 to 1995.
Andreas was a recipient of many honors including the Offikion Archon Dikaiophyax by his Eminence Archbishop Iakovos in March 1996, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for outstanding contributions to America and distinguished service and of the Newcomen Society of America 1978 Award. In 2000, Andreas was honored as Man of the Year by Evangelismos Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church in Jersey City and in 2001 received the prestigious “Justice for Cyprus Award” from the Cyprus Federation of America.
Andreas was elected to the National Council of the Order of Saint Andrew. He served as is a member of the Council of Hellenes Abroad, (SAE) of the North and South American Region, a member of AHEPA, the American Institute of CPA’s, and the New Jersey Society of CPA’s. Andreas is involved in numerous community, business, and political endeavors, locally and at the national level and is eternally committed to the cause of justice in Cyprus. Andreas and his wife Anna have two children, Eliza and Demetrios, 2 grandchildren and reside in Kinnelon, New Jersey.
Peter Kakoyiannis, Esq., Vice Chairman
Peter Kakoyiannis is a member of the firm of Eiseman, Levine, Lehrhaupt & Kakoyiannis. He has been admitted to practice law in New York 1975 and is a member of several Federal Courts including the Second Circuit. Mr. Kakoyiannis is a graduate of the Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York and St. John’s University School of Law. He has extensive experience working on matters representing leading institutions in dealing with their commercial as well as real estate loan transactions. Mr. Kakoyiannis also has substantial experience in the acquisition, sale and development of real estate.
He has also developed a sub-specialty in Cooperative and Condominium Offering Plans and Sponsor Condominium and Cooperative representation. Mr. Kakoyiannis is admitted as member of the bars of New York and Pennsylvania and is the author of the article “Shopping Center Leases as Viewed by the Tenant, Brooklyn Bar Associates “Barrister”, May 1974. Mr. Kakoyiannis is also active in organizations such as St. Basil Academy, Hellenic American Bankers Association, Board Member of Interbank of New York, Cyprus Children’s Fund and Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce and the Cyprus US Chamber of Commerce. Peter and his wife Joanne have three children.
Vassos Vassiliou, Vice President
Vassos Vassiliou has been with Radian Guaranty Inc. since 2003 as a vice president, and initially worked for Radian’s International Mortgage Group which serves European and Asian residential and commercial mortgage clients. Vassos is now responsible for hedging, reinsuring, trading and selling Radian’s mortgage credit risk. Vassos has 15 years of experience in structured credit and debt capital markets.
Prior to joining Radian, Vassos worked for Lehman Brothers’ principal finance group in London where he was responsible for deal origination and execution in multiple European jurisdictions including Scandinavia. He worked on a variety of assets including equipment leases, sub-prime mortgages, non-performing loans and charged-off credit cards. Before Lehman Brothers, Vassos worked for UBS’ securitization and principal finance group focusing on term, as well as ABCP conduit transactions. At UBS, Vassos provided warehouse lines of credit and securitization facilities for asset originators, and worked on the acquisition and securitization of the largest Irish finance company. Vassos was one of the founding members of Nomura’s Principal Finance Group during the early to mid 1990s. Vassos holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Nicholas Karacostas, Secretary
Nick Karacostas is currently a Senior Vice President with the Arch Insurance Group, working out of their corporate headquarters in New York City. Nick is responsible for the Customer Claim Center, which encompasses the Alternative Markets, Construction, Programs and National Accounts Claims groups, who utilize Third Party Administrators to handle their claims. Prior to this position, Nick was serving as Vice President of Litigation Management and Vendor Services since October 2002 when he joined Arch.
Prior to joining Arch, Nick worked at Zurich North America in various capacities from May 1996 – October 2002. His positions included Director of Claims Marketing and Customer Service, Director of Staff Counsel Customer Service, and Senior Trial Counsel. Before joining Zurich, Nick served four years as Trial Attorney for General Accident Insurance, Co and two years as Special Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of New York. Nick holds a J.D. degree from the City University of New York Law School and a B.A. degree from New York University.
Nick was born in Kyrenia, Cyprus. He emigrated to the U.S.A. in 1966. He is Currently the Supreme President of AHEPA. He played soccer with the Pancyprian Association of America, Inc. with their Junior teams from 1975-1981. He has served as their Legal advisor since 1991 till present. He is a member of the Board of HANAC, Inc., and Chairman of its subsidiary Home Services Systems, Inc., as well as Member of the Board of St. Michael’s Home. He has served for six years on the Parish Council member of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of Flushing N.Y. Nick Resides in Bayside, N.Y. with wife Anna and daughters Georgia and Andreana.
Kyriacos C. Skevas, Treasurer
Kyriacos C. Skevas Kyriacos is a CPA and works in Astoria, Queens.
Costa Kensington, Legal Counsel
Costa N. Kensington is a member of Anderson, Kill & Olick, located at New York, NY 10017.
Costa concentrates his legal practice in the areas of business law, including corporate finance and securities matters. He serves as Legal Counsel to the Cyprus U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Directors
Philip Christopher
Philip Christopher is president and CEO of Personal Communications Devices formerly UTStarcom Communications. Under his leadership, the company has become a major player in thecellular phone industry, consistently ranking among the top four brands of wireless handsets.
Mr. Christopher has long played an authoritative role in the telecommunications industry. He has been with Audiovox Corporation since 1970, and was elected to the company’s Board in 1987. Under his direction as President and CEO, Audiovox Communications Corporation has grown to achieve a leadership position in the industry. The company currently holds the number one position in sales of CDMA wireless handsets, with a 22.6 percent market share. Last year, Acc sold 8.9 million wireless communications devices.
Mr. Christopher is a member of the White House Economic Council, and also serves on the Board of Directors of the New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens, the Atlantic Professional Soccer League and several other organizations. Mr. Christopher is also the recipient of numerous industry and humanitarian awards and honors.
Born in Kyrenia, Cyprus Mr. Christopher migrated to the United States with his family when he was 10 years old. He brought with him a love of soccer, a passion for his homeland, and the qualities of industriousness and leadership for which is still recognized.
Mr. Christopher is a graduate of New York University, where he gained distinction as an All-American. He lives on Long Island with his wife, Christina, and his son Nick, who is an avid soccer player and an attorney.
Renos Georgiou
Renos Georgiou was born in Neon Chorion, Kythreas, Cyprus. He arrived in the United States in 1962. Renos is the president of Reno Construction Corporation. He is married to MaryAnn and they have six children.
Marios Ioannou
Marios K. Ioannou currently works with Alma Bank. Previously he was Senior Vice President of Millenium bcpbank and was born in Limassol, Cyprus July of 1955. He attended and graduated from the B Gymnasium in 1973. After graduation, he served in the Cyprus National Guard from July of 1973 until September of 1975. He emigrated to the United States in October of 1975.
Marios finished his studies at Baruch College with a BBA in Finance and a Diploma in Bank Lending from New York University. Marios has been in the Banking Industry for over 25 years as is currently working for Millennium bcpbank as a Senior Vice President and a Regional Director.
Marios is married to Panayiota and have two Children, Christos and Georgia.
Theana L. Iordanou
Theana L. Iordanou
Sr. Vice President
Chartis US –
175 Water Street, 2nd Floor
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Charis Lapis
Charis Lapas is the Principal in G.P. Enterprises land developing.
Nicos Mouyiaris
Nikos Mouyiaris was born in Athienou, Cyprus. He attended elementary and high school in Nicosia, Cyprus. After graduating from high school, he went to England where he resided for a short time, until he was able to acquire a student visa to come to the United States. He attended St. John’s University, where, after the first semester, he received a scholarship. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, he was awarded another scholarship from Rutgers University where he received his Master of Science degree. Nikos started a cosmetic manufacturing company in New York City with $6,000 that he borrowed from his brother, Apostolos. Today, Mana Products is a very successful enterprise that employses over 600 people. In addition to his cosmetics company, he has interests in real estate, as well as other businesses.
As a member of the Board of Directors and Trustees of the Pancyprian Association of America, Nikos is very much involved in all activities of the community. He helps to ensure that the culture and ethnic customs of Cyprus and Greece are preserved.
Nikos is also very actively involved with PSEKA in the struggle for freedom and justice for the Cypriot people, as well as for various Greek causes.
He is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award and a member of the Leadership 100 of the Greek Orthodox Church.
He never forgets his place of birth, the small town of Athienou. He helps support the Old Age Home, and has helped build a Day Care Center. In addition, he has financed an archealogical expedition in the area by Davidson College or North Carolina for several years. Nikos has received numerous recognition awards from various organizations.
Nikos is married to Carol, and they have two adult children, Alexis and Ariana.
Radian Guaranty Inc. is the mortgage insurance subsidiary of Radian Group Inc., a global credit enhancement company headquartered in Philadelphia. Radian Guaranty provides risk management products and services to mortgage lenders globally.
Peter Papanicolaou
Panayiotis (Panico) Papanicolaou was born and raised in Nicosia, Cyprus, where he received his primary and secondary education. Following his service with the National Guard of Cyprus, he came to the United States to pursue higher studies. He attended the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), where he enrolled in a special program for honor students. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Construction Engineering and Construction Management.
His business career started with a research position at NJIT, where he developed new technology for the cleanup of toxic contaminated soils for industrial sites and military bases. He is now principal of J.F. Contracting Corporation, a Brooklyn-based construction and engineering firm. He is professionally affiliated with the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and he is a member of the Civil Engineering Society.
Peter is president of the Archdiocese Metropolitan Youth Choir, a member of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council, and a member of the Advisory Board of Queens College and the Saint Basil’s Academy. He is currently serving as Vice President of the Cyprus Children’s Fund.
Peter served as the Chairman of the Justice for Cyprus Committee for the Cyprus Federation of America and served as it’s Supreme President for the period of 1995 through 1999 and elected again as President in 2002 until the present.
Peter is recognized as a leader with significant civic and humanitarian achievements. In 1995 he was named Business Man of the Year, Borough of Bronx and in 1996 he was presented with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his contributions to our national identify while preserving the distinct values and heritage of our ancestors. In1998 he became an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, an honor conferred upon individuals for their services and dedication to our Church.
Peter continues to serve tirelessly various causes of the Greek American Community. He resides in Brooklyn, New York with his wife Nasia. They have two daughters, Elizabeth and Elena.
Theo David
Theoharis David, born in Farmingdale, New York, received a B. Arch. degree from Pratt Institute and an M. Arch. degree from Yale University, where he studied with Paul Rudolph and Serge Chermayeff. He began his teaching career at Pratt Institute in 1969 and has served in several administrative positions, including Chairman of Graduate Architecture. He is a tenured Professor of Architecture teaching Graduate and Undergraduate Design and has served as President of the Faculty of the School of Architecture. Theo has been in private practice since 1974 and maintains an office in New York City and Nicosia, Cyprus. His architecture has received awards in the United States at city, state and national levels. In Cyprus he has received the State Award for Architecture, is advisor and visiting professor at the University of Cyprus, Department of Architecture, and serves on the board of the Cyprus Cultural Foundation. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and the Institute of Urban Design. He has been active in design award programs, including the Cyprus State Architecture Awards, the Aga Khan Awards for Architecture and the Society of American Registered Architects, has served as chairman of the NYC/AIA distinguished architecture awards program, and has been elected to its Honors Committee.
Professor David has been a guest critic at universities in the United States and elsewhere has given numerous public lectures while his work as an educator and architect has been published and exhibited internationally. Visit us at our new web site, www.tdanyc.com.
Joanna Savvides
Joanna Savvides is a global leader in international business development, marketing, project management and global strategy. She is the President of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, an organization that promotes economic development, through international business development. She also runs her own company Transworld Ventures LLC.
Joanna has worked for major corporations like IBM, Heinz and Campbell Soup. She has also worked in the Diplomatic Corps and has been an adjunct professor of Global Business Strategy at Saint Joseph’s University for the last five years.
Joanna serves on numerous boards and committees, including the board of Visitors of the Haub School of Business of Saint Joseph’s University, the District Export Council of the US Department of Commerce, and the World Trade Center Cyprus.
She is the recipient of several awards including the “Women of Distinction Award” from the Philadelphia Business Journal and the “Global Leadership Award” from the Consular Corps Association.
Joanna is a native of Cyprus and a naturalized American citizen. She speaks six languages and has an outstanding cross-cultural rapport. She has worked internationally in almost every part of the world.
Fannie Holliday – Our new
Despina Axiotakis, Executive Director
Despina Axiotakis was born in Asgata, Limassol, Cyprus and emigrated to the United States with her family in 1956. She is the seventh of eight children of Kyriacos and Maria Ioannou After graduating high school, Despina attended the Traphagen School of Fashion and worked at her father’s summer resort in the Catskill Mountains. Following in her parents footsteps, Despina owned and ran the Olympia Hotel in upstate New York for many years before retiring from the hotel business.
Despina became active in the political arena, serving the presidential campaigns of Governors Michael Dukakis and Bill Clinton as well as that of Finance Director for Chris Evangel for Congress. She has served on the Board of the Greek Children’s Fund and the Church of the Assumption, Windham, New York.
While serving as President of the Asgata Association “Cyprus” Woman’s Division, she founded the Asgata Youth and Dance Divisions which included teaching the group Greek and Cypriot Dances. In addition, she was the editor of the “Asgata Newsletter” for over eight years. She currently serves as General Secretary of the Cyprus Federation of America, a position that she has held for over 16 years. At the same time, she serves as Executive Director of the Cyprus U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a non-for profit organization helping to foster trade relations between the U.S. and Cyprus.
Despina was the recipient of the Panpahian Association’s “Distinguished Fellow Cyprian” award. In April of 2008, she was also was honored by the Synthesmos Apothimon Asgatiton in Cyprus. Despina was honored by the Asgata Association “Cyprus” in November of 2008. Despina is President of Axiocom Productions, a public relations firm specializing in event planning and stays active in her local community as well as her beloved Cypriot Community.
Despina is devoted to her husband John, their two children Lucas and Rena and is the proud grandmother of five, John, Daniel, Thomas, Despina Demetria and Nikki.