George Vassilas Elected AHEPA President of Canada

MIAMI BEACH - The delegates of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading association for the Hellenes in North America, elected George Vassilas supreme president of Canada at its 89th Annual Supreme Convention in Miami Beach, Fla. Mr. Vassilas ran unopposed in elections that were held Saturday, July 23, 2011. They were formally installed as supreme president along with the Supreme Lodge on Saturday.

Mr. Vassilas, who hails from Montréal, QC, is a member of Mount Royal Chapter CJ7, in Montréal, QC. His AHEPA Journey started 20 years ago with the reactivation of the Montreal Sons of Pericles. Sports was the tool that was used to motivate the youth to join and a Annual Hockey tournament was held in Montréal for many years which helped increase membership from Montreal to Windsor.

Mr. Vassilas became the first Canadian to serve in the office of Supreme President of the Sons of Pericles just five years after becoming a Son of Pericles. He is also the first Canadian to serve as the Chairman of the Sons of Pericles Advisory Board.

He has served AHEPA in numerous leadership positions including three consecutive terms as Montreal chapter president, where he negotiated an agreement with the Shriners Hospital in Montreal for naming rights of the internal school to "AHEPA Family Educational Center". Mr. Vassilas was also the Chairman of the Montreal AHEPA Valentines Gala for two years in support of the Shriners Building Project. On a District Level, he held numerous District offices including Lt. Governor and District Governor.

Mr Vassilas, who family origins are from Naxos, Greece, also ran on the AHEPA Marathon team during the 2500 year celebrations of the original Marathon, raising $7000 for Thalassimia research.

Mr. Vassilas has served in numerous associations starting with the Boy Scounts at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, then helping with the Naxian Society. Currently employed by Randstad Interim Inc; a global leader in staffing; in the role of Strategic Account Manager. Of his many accomplishments and roles, he currently serves as the chairman of the Randstad Canada Foundation Fundraising Committee.

AHEPA is the largest Hellenic association in the world with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, Cyprus, and sister chapters in Australia and New Zealand. It was established in 1922 by visionary Greek Americans to protect Hellenes from prejudice originating from the KKK, and in its history, AHEPA joined with the NAACP and B'nai B'rith International to fight discrimination.

The mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.

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George Vassilas
President
AHEPA Canada
514-909-8277