ORLANDO, FLA.—The delegates of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA), the leading association for the nation’s millions of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, elected Carl Hollister, of Mason, Ohio, Supreme President at the 95th Annual Supreme Convention, Orlando, Fla. Hollister ran unopposed in elections that were held July 28, 2017. Formal installation ceremonies were held July 29, 2017.
“It is an honor and privilege to be elected AHEPA Supreme President,” Hollister said. “My sincere appreciation is given to the convention delegates who placed their support and trust in me to lead this vibrant, venerable, and unique organization in the coming year.”
“The need to provide community service is never ending, both in the United States and abroad. I am eager to work with the Supreme Lodge, and our membership, to address this challenge, as well as others that may come our way,” he said. “Of course, 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.”
Meet Supreme President Carl Hollister
Hollister is a member of Chapter 209, Middletown, Ohio. He has served AHEPA in numerous leadership positions, including most recently, supreme secretary and as an executive board member on the AHEPA National Housing Corporation. As supreme president, Hollister’s responsibilities include being the chief executive officer, and principal spokesperson, of the entire AHEPA domain, which includes the United States, Canada, and chapters in Europe.
Hollister is president of L.M. Kohn & Company, an Investment Advisory and Brokerage firm in Cincinnati, Ohio, managing 60 branch offices with more than $3.5 billion in client assets. With more than 20 years of experience in the Securities Industry, the supreme president holds a Master’s Degree in Finance from Webster University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Grove City College.
In addition, Hollister is a retired U.S. Army Major with 21 years of active and reserve service, of which, 17 years were in Special Operations with tours of duty in Central America and Central Asia. As commander of the Khost Provincial Reconstruction Team, Afghanistan, he was awarded the Bronze Star in 2005 for distinguished achievement. Hollister received noteworthy accolades in the Book “Counterinsurgency in Eastern Afghanistan 2004-2008” authored by Robert Kemp.
Hollister, his wife, Cynthia, and daughter, Alexandra, are members of Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Middletown, where he served as parish council president. Cynthia is a Daughters of Penelope Past District 11 Governor and Alexandra currently is Maids of Athena District 11 Governor. The supreme president is proud of his Ikarian heritage and is a cousin of former U.S. Representative Zack Space of Ohio.
The AHEPA Supreme Lodge is the international governing body of the organization.
The Executive Committee of the 2017-18 Supreme Lodge is comprised of: Canadian President Christos Argiriou, Winnipeg, Manitoba; Supreme Vice President George E. Loucas, Esq., Cleveland, Ohio; Supreme Secretary James Kokotas, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Supreme Treasurer George Horiates, Esq., Moorestown, N.J.; and Supreme Counselor Demetrios C. Kirkiles, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Sons of Pericles National Advisor is Sandy Papadopoulos, Atlanta, Ga.
The nine Supreme Governors are: Region I: Peter Nassos, Stone Mountain, Ga.; Region II: Cleon Kordistos, Monessen, Pa.; Region III: Tom Duchas, Rye, N.Y.; Region IV: Jack Isaac, New Britain, Conn.; Region V: Craig Theros, Ann Arbor, Mich.; Region VI: Don Vanover, Lake City, Minn.; Region VII: Nick Dixie, Dallas, Texas; Region VIII: George Booras, Danville, Calif.; and Region X: Dr. Alfred Barich, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Elected to the Executive Committee of the AHEPA Board of Trustees were: Chairman Nick Aroutzidis, Stratford, Ontario, Canada; Vice Chairman Andrew C. Zachariades, Brick, N.J., and Secretary Cos Marandos, Nashua, N.H.
The organizations that comprise the AHEPA Family also held elections. Eva Jean Fomalont, Albuquerque, N.M., was elected Daughters of Penelope Grand President; Bill Poulos III, Canton, Ohio, was elected Sons of Pericles Supreme President; and Sophia Shakolas, La Palma, Calif., was elected Maids of Athena Grand President.
The Installation Ceremony of newly-elected officers officially concluded the 95th AHEPA Supreme Convention, which began July 24.
The 2018 Supreme Convention will convene in Atlantic City, N.J.
