With a unanimous decision, Diane (Diamanta) Kounalakis was re-elected at the 49th Convention of the Pancretan Association of America (PAA) in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Convention concluded with her unanimous re-election as President. The majority of the outgoing Board of Directors will also continue to serve for another two years. Mrs. Kounalakis stated: “I am deeply honored to be re-elected. It is an esteemed honor for me to continue the work of preserving and celebrating our Cretan culture throughout North America. I look forward to working with our new adult and youth boards and creating new initiatives that will benefit all of our members and support projects in our homeland of Crete.”
A deeply moving moment was the delegates’ participation in supporting the KIFAAAMEA Center, where a fundraising effort succeeded in raising $21,500 for the Center to acquire a therapeutic pool. Dr. Tony Gianoulis, who co-chaired the Convention’s General Assembly alongside former PAA President Mr. Eleftherios Dramitinos, stated: “The 49th annual PAA convention was a resounding success. I was honored to be the chairperson of the most successful and efficient Pancretan meetings in recent memory. All of the credit goes to John Marakis and the board who completed much of the excruciating hard work prior to the convention with the weekly and monthly zoom meetings. This template should allow future meetings to be even more beneficial and fruitful for all involved. Congratulations to everyone – especially the board.” Also emotional was the Cretan Night on Friday, during which the Chairman of the Convention Organizing Committee, Mr. Pantelis Esopakis, and the President of the local chapter “Kritiki Foni” of West Palm Beach, Mr. Nikolaos Troullinos, honored the founders of the Cretan Association. The grand Saturday Reception was equally memorable.
During the Reception, the President of the World Council of Cretans (WCC), Mr. Nikos Kastrinakis, had the opportunity to honor the former President of the WCC and former PAA President, Mr. Manolis Velivassakis. Mr. Kastrinakis remarked: “This Convention has been the one with the most heartfelt emotions. Warm congratulations to the honorees, the organizers, but above all, to the delegates, especially for their tangible support of KIFAAAMEA. Congratulations to both the PAA and PYA Board Members. I would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the outgoing officers for their dedicated service.” Mr. Kastrinakis also honored Mr. Lee Esopakis and Mr. Nikolaos Troullinos in recognition of the outstanding work carried out by the entire West Palm Beach Chapter for the Convention.
During the Reception, Mrs. Kounalakis announced the rename of PΑA Life Award to honor the late President Nicholas Kalimerakis in perpetuity, and conferred honorary titles of this award to Mrs. Erasmia Vlastos Novotny, and Mr. Thanasis Lantzourakis, in recognition of their services to PAA throughout the years. Gifts were also presented to the Convention’s Organizing Committee members, Pantelis Esopakis, Violet Esopakis, Nikos Troullinos, and Dianne Sophinos, in appreciation of their dedication and hard work. She also acknowledged and honored the donors of the PAA as well as the members of the outgoing Board of Directors. The oath-taking ceremony for the new Board was led by former PAA President Mr. Giannis Manos, preceded by a very emotional speech, joined by all attending former Presidents. The new PAA Board of Directors is composed of:
President: Diane Kounalakis
Executive Vice President: Nickos Kastrinakis
Vice President Communications: Toula Detorakis Elefter
Vice President Membership: Maria Sopasis
General Secretary: Dianne (Dionisia) Sophinos
Treasurer: Debbie Nikokavouras
Women’s Executive Director: Irene A. Peros
General Supervisor: Dimitra Vlahou Lintzeris
Legal Advisor: Gary Ahladianakis, ESQ.
Pancretan Youth President: Kostas Kambouris
Youth Supervisor–East Coast: Olga Markogiannakis
Youth Supervisor–West Coast: Tasia Manassakis
PAA DISTRICT GOVERNORS
District I – Kosta Pitaridis
District II – John Kalogridis
District III – Sophia Getchell
District IV – Irene Kiousis
District V – Chris N. Tzortzis
District VI – Maria Hallis
District VII – George Kanelakis
PAA CHAIRS
Board of Investments: John G. Russon, CFA
Pancretan Endowment Fund: Anna Giannoulias
PAA Foundation, Inc.: Kostas Katsohirakis
Culture & Education: Andreas Batakis
Philanthropic Fund: Bianca Nicole Pigounakis
Scholarship: Sia Sooklaris
PAA Honorary Archivist: Erasmia Vlastos Novotny
Information Technology: Manoli Peratsakis
PAA Veterans Affairs: Michael Frangadakis
During the proceedings of the Pancretan Youth of America, Mr. Kostas Kampouris was elected as the new President, and the Youth Board of Directors is composed of:
President: Kostas Kambouris
East Coast Vice President: Demetri Skoumbakis
West Coast Vice President: John Nikolakakis
Treasurer: Maria Gonedes
Secretary: Antoni Kalogiridis
Fundraising Chair: Dimitri Karandrikas
Public Relations Chair: Maria Klostrakis
KriKri Magazine Editor: George Tzitzikas
Co-Cultural Chair: Andoni Katsanevakis and Vasiliki Rousakis
Co-Philanthropic Chairs: Yanni and Apostoli Hillas
Co-Information Technology Chair: Themis Kambouris and George Kouretas
Immediately following the elections, the PAA President and Board had the opportunity to congratulate both the outgoing Youth President Miss Vanessa Balis and Board, as well as the newly elected ones.
The Convention concluded with the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Katherine, officiated by the Protopresbyter of Saint Katherine, Father Chrysostomos Mitchell, and the farewell picnic at a seaside venue, where the delegates bid one another farewell, renewing their commitment to reunite at the next Convention, which will take place in 2027 in Anaheim, California.
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