ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—The delegates of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA), the leading service association for the nation’s millions of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, elected George E. Loucas, Esq., of Novelty, Ohio, Supreme President at the 96th Annual Supreme Convention, Atlantic City, N.J. Loucas ran unopposed in elections that were held July 26, 2018. Formal installation ceremonies were held July 27, 2018.
“It is an honor and privilege to be elected AHEPA Supreme President, and I am humbled to carry the mantle of leadership for our Order,” Loucas said. “My sincere appreciation is given to the convention delegates who placed their love, support and trust in me to lead this remarkable organization in the coming year.”
“The need to provide community service and humanitarian assistance is ongoing, both in the United States and abroad, as we have witnessed with the deadly and devastating wildfires in Greece,” Loucas said, adding he will head to Greece in September to assess how best to provide assistance to the victims. “I am eager to work with our AHEPA family, and the diaspora, to address this crisis, as well as other challenges that may come our way.”
He added, “Separately, the promotion of Hellenic ideals will always be a priority for AHEPA, and I pledge to keep AHEPA on a steady path set forth by my predecessors with a spirit that is true to our mission.”
In his inaugural remarks at the Installation Ceremony, Loucas reminded those in attendance to not forgot their history and that everyone is a legacy charged with carrying the mantle of heritage. “It [History] helps to guide us for what we do today and for our future as we, AHEPA, approach 100 years of existence,” he said.
Meet Supreme President George E. Loucas
Loucas is a 37-year member of Chapter 480, North Royalton, Ohio. He has served AHEPA in numerous leadership positions, including most recently, supreme vice president. In addition, Loucas comes from an AHEPA legacy of leaders. His grandfather, George, served as Supreme President in 1959. As supreme president, Loucas’s responsibilities include being the chief executive officer, and principal spokesperson, of the entire AHEPA domain, which includes chapters in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Loucas, a pharmacist and 3rd generation lawyer, founded Loucas Law in 1995 with a vision of helping families who have suffered catastrophic injuries and wrongful death in the area of complex civil litigation. He is regarded widely as a leader in fighting Drug Overdose Death (Drug OD) cases from prescription painkillers. Loucas is a graduate of the Cleveland Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University, where he received his Juris Doctor degree, and West Virginia University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy. George became a Registered Pharmacist and worked in the pharmaceutical industry while attending law school.
Loucas, his wife, Sandra, have a son, Max, and daughter, Lexi.
The 2018-19 Supreme Lodge
The AHEPA Supreme Lodge is the international governing body of the organization.
In addition to Supreme President Loucas, the Executive Committee of the 2018-19 Supreme Lodge is comprised of: Canadian President Christos Argiriou, Winnipeg, Manitoba; Supreme Vice President James Kokotas, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Supreme Secretary George Horiates, Esq., Moorestown, N.J.; Supreme Treasurer George Booras, Danville, Calif.; and Supreme Counselor Louis G. Atsaves, Esq., Lake Forest, Ill.; Sons of Pericles National Advisor is Sandy Papadopoulos, Atlanta, Ga., and Supreme Athletic Director Chris Atsaves, Glenview, Ill.
The nine Supreme Governors are: Region I: Peter Nassos, Stone Mountain, Ga.; Region II: George Papaspyrou, Riva, Md.; Region III: George Karatzia, Morganville, N.J.; Region IV: Jack Isaac, New Britain, Conn.; Region V: Craig Theros, Ann Arbor, Mich.; Region VI: Peter Lekas, Chicago; Region VII: Nick Dixie, Dallas, Texas; Region VIII: Wynn Storton, Palm Desert, Calif.; and Region X: Phanos Pitiris, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Elected to the Executive Committee of the AHEPA Board of Trustees were: Chairman Nicholas A. Karacostas, PSP, Bayside, N.Y.; and Vice Chairman Carl R. Hollister, PSP, Mason, Ohio.
AHEPA Family Elections
The organizations that comprise the AHEPA Family also held elections. Demi Thomas, Ridgewood, N.J., was elected Daughters of Penelope Grand President; Gregory Vourloumis, Atlanta, Ga., was elected Sons of Pericles Supreme President; and Tatiana Tsaprailis, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, was elected Maids of Athena Grand President.
The Installation Ceremony of newly-elected officers officially concluded the 96th AHEPA Supreme Convention, which began July 23.
The 2019 Supreme Convention will convene the week of June 30, in Chicago, Illinois.
Founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia, on the principles that undergirded its fight for civil rights and against discrimination, bigotry, and hatred felt at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan, AHEPA is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe.
AHEPA’s mission is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence through community service and volunteerism.
For more information, please visit www.ahepa.org.