WASHINGTON, DC  The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) congratulates AHI Advisory Committee member Ted G. Spyropoulos on his new post as U.S. Regional Coordinator for the Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE). His election, along with the election of ten other members of SAE’s U.S. Regional Coordinating Council, took place during the First Regional Convention (U.S. Region) in New York, NY on November 3-5, 2006. Mr. Spyropoulos started his official duties on January 1, 2007 when he stepped down as President of the Hellenic American National Council (HANC).

        The main objective is to unite the Greek American community for common goals in the United States, for our national issues of Greece and Cyprus, for promoting our culture, education and the Greek language, said Mr. Spyropoulos in describing his goals for this new post.

        He also alluded to the critical importance of engaging Greek American youth in the overall mission of SAE by reaching out a helping hand. A major, major undertaking will be to get the youth of Greek Americans and help them with their education and job searching, which is the best thing we can do for them. Also important will be continuing to promote good relations between the U.S. and Greece through the Greek American community.

        In order to achieve these objectives, Mr. Spyropoulos plans to increase the level of dialogue within the Greek American community, working to achieve greater unity. We have to get everybody at the roundtable and see what unites us and go from there, he noted. Without dialogue, we will never do anything.

        On behalf of all of us at the AHI we extend to Ted our heartfelt congratulations on his tremendous election victory as the next Regional President of the United States for SAE.  His vast knowledge of Greece, its rich history, culture, traditions and enlightenment, coupled with his understanding and experience of the Greek American community, make him uniquely qualified to hold this office.  We look forward to working with him in order to promote goals and objectives of mutual interest, said AHI President Gene Rossides.

        Mr. Spyropoulos, who is originally from Kalavryta, Greece and currently resides in Chicago, is president of T.G.S. National Wholesalers, an automotive wholesaler that operates in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. He serves as president for A&T Oil Company, for T.G.S. Petroleum Co., Inc., and for CAM2 International Manufacturing and Marketing.

        In addition to his significant roles in AHI, HANC and SAE, Mr. Spyropoulos also serves in a number of other leadership roles in the Greek American community. He was the president of ENOSIS of Hellenic American Organizations of Illinois, president and founder of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce U.S.A., chairman and founder of the Spyropoulos Scholarship for Hellenic-American Students in Hellas and the U.S.A., and the President of the Plant Your Roots in Greece program. Finally, Mr. Spyropoulos is a founding member of Technopolis, Thrace, Hellas, International, and a member of AHEPA and AGEI Hellenic Interests of Greek Americans.