ISLANDIA, NY — Gold Coast Bank Chief Executive Officer and Chairman John C. Tsunis has been selected as a member of the Archon class of 2017. Mr. Tsunis, a Poquott resident, was elevated by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the high office of Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the oldest and highest honor in Christendom. Mr. Tsunis was chosen due to his outstanding service to the Church and as a well-known and well-respected leader of the Orthodox Christian community.
Mr. Tsunis was welcomed as an Archon with the title of Orphanotrophos (Protector of Orphans) and pronounced a Defender of the Faith at the Athenagoras Human Rights Award Banquet on October 21st as part of Archon Weekend (Oct. 20-22) in New York City. Mr. Tsunis was formally invested as an Archon of the Great Church of Christ during the solemn Archon Investiture Service presided by His Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.
Mr. Tsunis is also a member of the hospitality industry as the owner/proprietor of several New York area hotels including Holiday Inn Express Stony Brook, the first Holiday Inn Express branded property in the United States. He is also President of the Long Island Greek-American Chamber of Commerce and a Member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic American Bankers Association.
