By Terry Poulos, Special to the Hellenic News of America
We combed through the latest two annual editions of leading business figures in the Windy City and the extended metropolitan ‘Breezy Burbs,’ the “Who’s Who of Chicago Business” published by Crain’s Chicago Business. Many Greek Americans are included in the 2023 and 2024 editions.
The following list, by alphabetical order, provides information on individuals and companies represented, with links generally redirecting to personal profiles. Years indicate which issue said individual was mentioned on the Crain’s list. A few Greek community boards and activities are also detailed, in addition to other notable facts pertaining to individuals.
We also offer some related news on the two major political party conventions, and lastly a mention of Chicago reporters covering the Olympics in Paris.
PAUL ALIVISATOS: President, University of Chicago. Higher education (’23 & 24 Crain’s edition)
GEORGE ARCHOS: Co-founder, Chair and CEO of Verano Holdings, a leading cannabis cultivator/distributor (’23 & ’24). In late July, the company bought out The Cannabist operations in Virginia and Arizona, per Crain’s.
MICHAEL ARMIRIDIS: Chancellor, University of Illinois at Chicago. Higher education (’23). Since named president of University of South Carolina
STRATOS ATHANASSIADES: Regional manager, Red Oak Capital. Financial services (’24)
JOHN P. CALAMOS SR.: Chair & Global Chief Investment Officer, Calamos Investments. Financial services (’23 & ’24). Chairman, National Hellenic Museum
MIKE CAPATIDIS: Vice Chair, CIBC Bank USA. Financial services (’23)
ANTHONY CONIARIS: Partner, Co-Chair & Portfolio Manager, Harris Associates. Financial services (’23 & ’24)
THOMAS DEMETRIO: Co-founding partner, Corboy & Demetrio. Legal services (’24)
TINOS DIAMANTATOS: Partner, Morgan Lewis. Legal services (’24). National Hellenic Museum mock trial participant
PANTELIS “PETE” GEORGIADIS: Founder/CEO, Synetro Group. Investments, early-stage technology advisory (’23 & ’24). Husband of Margo Giorgiadis, managing partner of Synetro Group and former Google, Mattel, and Ancestry.com top executive
ALEXI GIANNOULIAS: Illinois Secretary of State. Public official (’24). Attorney; former pro basketball player in Greece; Former investment banker with Annoula Ventures and Bank of New York Mellon
STEPHANIE KATSAROS: Founder/President, Bright Beat. Sustainability, community, marketing (’23). Bright Beat is an official sustainability partner for the 2024 DNC in Chicago
ANGELA KOROMPILAS: President/CEO, American Hotel Register. Hospitality services (’23)
ELENI KOUIMELAS: Partner, Chair of Environmental Law Practice, Winston & Strawn. Legal services (’23)
NICK KOKONAS: CEO, Tock; Alinea, Aviary Next, St. Claire Supper Club. Restaurant operations (’23 & ’24)
JOHN KOUDOUNIS: CEO, Calamos Investments. Financial services (’23 & ’24). Executive committee, National Hellenic Museum; Executive committee, Hellenic Initiative
MARK KOULOGEORGE: Managing General Partner, MK Capital. Financial services (’23)
MARCUS LEMONIS: Chair & CEO, Camping World Holdings; HGTV host, “The Renovator”. Recreational vehicles, home improvement (’23 & ’24)
ANDREW LIMOURIS: Founder/CEO, Medix. Healthcare staffing solutions (’23 & ’24)
STEPHEN LIVADITIS: Managing Director, Eastdil Secured. Real estate investments (’23 & ’24)
BRIAN MAVRAGANES: Senior VP of Operations, Green Scope Solutions. Environmental sustainability (’23)
DEAN MIHAS: Co-CEO & Managing Director, GTCR. Financial services (’23 & ’24)
PEGGY PAPAIONNOU: CFO, Ravinia Festival. Outdoor music venue (’23)
MARIA PAPPAS: Treasurer, Cook County. Public official (’23 & ’24). Consulted with the nation of Greece on criminal justice, taxation, and general automation
PETER PARTHENIS JR.: President/CEO, Grecian Delight and World Foods Holdings. Food services (’23 & ’24). Son of Peter Parthenis Sr., founder of Grecian Delight and Vice Chair of the National Hellenic Museum
RACHAEL PONTIKES: Partner, Reed Smith. Legal services (’23)
STEVE POULOS: Founder/CEO, Bridge Industrial. Real estate investment management (’24)
CHRISTINA ROUPAS: Partner in Charge, Cooley Law. Legal services (’23)
JIMMY SAMARTZIS: CEO & Board Director, LanzaJet. Aviation sustainability (’24). Former board member of United Airlines and FermiLab
GRIGORIOS SIOKAS: CEO, Cosmos Health. Pharmaceuticals (’23 & ’24)
TOM SOULOULES: Co-CEO, Madison Dearborn Partners. Financial services (’23 & ’24)
OLIBIA STAMATOGLOU: Managing Director, CFO & CCO, Victory Park Capital Advisors. Financial services (’24)
PETER TSOULOGIANNIS: Partner, Slate Asset Management. Financial services (’24)
MARK THEOHAROUS: CEO, Burwood Group. Technology consultants (’23)
2024 RNC: The Republican National Committee was held in mid-July in Milwaukee. Reince Priebus, former RNC chair, served as chair of Milwaukee’s 2024 host committee. Priebus was also a convention speaker. Maria Giannopoulos served as marketing and digital director. Congressional candidate Peter Kopsaftis was an Illinois delegate to the RNC.
2024 DNC: The Democratic National Convention was slated for mid-August in Chicago. Three Illinois Greek Americans are delegates and part of the nominating committee: Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District board member Mariyana Spyropoulos, also the current Democratic Party nominee for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk; and Beth Panesis of Kane County.
PARIS 2024: Reporter/anchor Alex Maragos of NBC5 Chicago was assigned to cover the Games from Paris. NBC5’s Lexi Sutter ran profiles of participants leading up to the Games and throughout competition.
Until next…
Terry Poulos is a writer, entrepreneur (TheSportsIndex.com), and artist (Scientiquity.com) who has also covered Greek America for more than two decades for newspapers, magazines, and web portals. He’s co-founder of Chicago’s Greek Media Club and a member of the AHEPA Athletics Hall of Fame selection committee
