FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Nick Larigakis
January 4, 2011—No. 1	(202) 785-8430

WASHINGTON, DC —The American Hellenic Institute (AHI), a non-profit Greek American public policy center, announces longtime executive director, Nick Larigakis, as its new President and Chief Operating Officer, effective January 1, 2011.  Larigakis succeeds AHI President Aleco Haralambides, who will remain on the AHI Board of Directors.

“Nick has done an outstanding job as executive director for 19 years,” said AHI Founder Gene Rossides.  “He has fulfilled a tremendous amount of responsibility that has helped AHI meet its mission. I am confident his enthusiasm, dedication, and leadership will continue to be an asset for AHI, and the Greek American community, going forward in the second decade of the 21st century.”

“The AHI Board of Directors expresses its deepest thanks to Aleco Haralambides for his dedicated service and commitment to the organization as its president during the past two years,” said Rossides.   “AHI is fortunate to have Aleco Haralambides continue his support to  AHI as a member of the AHI Board of Directors,” he added.

As COO, Larigakis will continue much of his duties as executive director, a position he has held since 1992. In this capacity, Larigakis has been responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of AHI and its affiliated organizations. He has directed all aspects of strategic planning, policy analysis, public affairs programming, government relations, financial development, and media communications. His responsibilities also included working with the Congress on U.S.-Greece-Cyprus relations, where he  provided testimony to several congressional committees; and as liaison to the grass roots community, traveling throughout the U.S. to educate the public about AHI’s  policy issues and other aspects of its mission.  As a result, he has been interviewed by mainstream, Greek American, and Greek media outlets on issues affecting U.S. policy in the eastern Mediterranean.

“I am grateful for this exciting opportunity to lead AHI in this new capacity,” said Larigakis.  “I look forward to working together as a team to grow our organization through our member programs and informative policy forums as we continue to work to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus.”

Please click here for a bio of Nick Larigakis. (108KB PDF).

The American Hellenic Institute is a non-profit Greek American public policy center that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.

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For additional information, please contact Demetra Atsaloglou at (202) 785-8430 or at pr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at https://www.ahiworld.org.