By Terry Poulos, Special to the Hellenic News of America
NEW PRESIDING JUDGE: Cook County Circuit Court Judge Athanasios “Tom” Sianis in December was appointed Presiding Judge of the 1st Municipal Division, encompassing downtown and most of Chicago. Sianis began his career as a prosecutor with the Cook County State’s Attorneys Office, then served as Chief of Enforcement at the Illinois Securities Department before running successfully for the bench.
PITCHES NEW CAMP: Serial entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis is decamping. He made a deal to sell his Chicago condo but won’t be hiking far. Lemonis is chairman and founder of RV retailer Camping World Holdings (CWH:NYSE), headquartered in Lincolnshire, IL, and executive chairman of retailer Bed Bath & Beyond (BBY:NYSE). He was adopted as an infant by Greek parents Leo and Sophia Lemonis. Marcus also hosts the CNBC reality business show “The Profit” and stars in the FOX TV home improvement reality series “The Fixer.” He’s also co-owner of Marcus/Glass Entertainment, owner of the rights to the longtime popular gameshow “Let’s Make a Deal.”
TITANIC ARTS PATRON: In early December, Chicagoan Thalia Georgia Colovos Zane passed away at the age of 95. She and husband, the late Billy Zanetakos, were early participants in Chicago’s Theatre on the Lake. They also owned a successful vocational school they operated for 32 years. The couple produced two children, film actress/singer Lisa Zane and Billy Zane, best known for his role in the Hollywood blockbuster “Titanic.” Thalia was also a member of the Goodman Theatre Women’s Board, and the Friends of the Chicago Public Library Foundation. Memory eternal.
MONEYBALL: The Chicago market is home to a bevy of Greek American finance pros and a new star has entered the pitch. George Prassas, principal at GP Financial in Des Plaines, IL, is also owner of Kalamata FC, which competes in the second tier of the Super League in Greece. GP caters to high net worth and ultra high net work individuals, with billions under management. Prassas is a member of the Messinian Society of Chicago.
TREASURE KEEPER: Transplanted Chicagoan Kristen Saranteas is now head of Treasury Management Services at First Citizens Bank in Raleigh, NC. In November, she was profiled by Treasury Today Group. She formerly worked at First Midwest Bank and Wintrust Bank.
BRAND BOSS: CIO magazine in November featured guest columnist, managing director and client leadership expert Ann Kostopanagiotou, who provided insight on digital experiences and brand-building. She previously served three years as president of the American Marketing Association. She’s also a contributor to Digital First Magazine.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS/BUSINESS: Former democrat US representative and healthcare exec Cheri Bustos, from the Quad Cities, Illinois region, is now a partner and lobbyist at Mercury Public Affairs…Philhellene Maria Pope Toliopoulos was recently appointed chief strategy officer at Cullinan Properties, a commercial real estate brokerage in Chicago.
HEALTHCARE: The December 3 Crain’s Chicago Business Hospital CEO breakfast featured panelist Michael Antoniades, president of UChicago Medicine’s Ingalls Memorial Hospital…Crain’s published its annual list of highest paid area doctors #21 is Dean Karahalios, neurosurgeon at Advocate Heath Care, Oak Brook.
LANGUAGE EXPERT AI ASSET: The Windy City has been fortunate to host Professor Zoe Gavrilidou of the Democritus University of Thrace for months on end the past two years. The internationally-renowned language guru recently signed a contract for her next book. Artificial intelligence, an exploding area ripe for linguists, has been one of her main focuses of late.
MEDIA: NBC5 anchor/reporter Alex Maragos recently celebrated his 10th anniversary at the station…NBC5 reporter Lexi Sutter emceed the 45th annual Columbian Ball at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry which raised more than $1 million…Anna Davlantes, former NBC5 Chicago news anchor and FOX32 host, is now hosting “This week in Chicago history” podcasts for WGN-720 AM radio and appearing weekly on the station’s morning show…FOX32 reporter Kasey (Chronis) Welker recently got a turn as fill-in anchor, a sign producers have confidence in a young reporter…Portes, a smart and artsy magazine, is celebrating publisher, Chicago-area native Anthe Mitrakos, who’s also making a name for herself in broadcast in Greece. She was honored at the 2025 Greek International Women Awards…Veteran film exec Bill Vergos, a Chicago transplant to LA, has championed a few Greek indie films in his career. He recently accepted a new position as head of digital film distribution at Magenta Light Studios.
NFL ON FOX & AVLI NIGHTS: FOX32 lead sports anchor Lou Canellis has been working the news ‘feed’ literally and figuratively. He doubles as Chicago Bears pre-game host and when FOX sent announcers Tom Brady and Kevin Burkhardt, sideline reporter Erin Andrews, and officiating expert Dean Blandino to work a midseason game, Canellis – also co-owner of Avli Restaurant near the lakefront – welcomed the crew who dined at Avli the Saturday prior to the game. This Summer, Chicago’s Greek Media Club – cofounded by George Bliss, Anna Davlantes, and myself – co-hosted an event on Avli’s rooftop, which boasts a magnificent view of the skyline. Among attendees were Canellis, actress/TV host Patricia Kara, her husband former NFL player Noel LaMantagne, and Bears offensive linemen Ozzie Trapillo and Ryan Bates.
MORE SPORTS: “Chicago Golf Scene” TV host/producer Steve Kashul, who’s been producing the show for 30 years, recently added a new club to his bag with a podcast he co-hosts with friend Matt Smith titled “Kash & Matty Talkin’ Golf”…Team Greece softball is now a family affair. The sister duo of Laurie Markatos and Jennifer Markatos, south suburban Chicago natives and former college stars, are now both members of the women’s coaching staff. Laurie is now based in England and Jennifer remains in the Chicago area.
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