WASHINGTON – The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) and the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) hosted a welcome luncheon for Greece’s new ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Christos P. Panagopoulos, October 17, 2012, in Washington, DC, announced Supreme President Dr. John Grossomanides.

“It was a pleasure working in cooperation with AHI to welcome Ambassador Panagopoulos to Washington,” Dr. Grossomanides said. “We look forward to working with the ambassador in efforts to advance relations between the United States and Greece as well as to increase outreach to the Greek American community.”

Supreme Vice President Anthony Kouzounis, Daughters of Penelope Grand Vice President Anna-Helene Panagakos, Board of Trustees Member Constantine Calliontzis, AHEPA Cyprus & Hellenic Affairs Chairman Carl Hollister, Past Supreme Treasurer Andy Zachariades, Executive Director Basil Mossaidis, and Daughters of Penelope Executive Director Elena Saviolakis joined Supreme President Dr. Grossomanides at the luncheon to welcome the ambassador.  In addition, several AHI representatives, including AHI Founder Gene Rossides and AHI President Nick Larigakis, and Greek American community leaders and clergy from the metro Washington DC area attended.

Ambassador Panagopoulos presented his credentials to President Barack Obama on September 19, 2012.

The American Hellenic Institute, www.ahiworld.org, 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.

AHEPA is a leading membership-based association for the nation’s millions of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, Founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia, to protect individuals from the evils of bigotry and discrimination, AHEPA is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, Greece and Cyprus.  The mission of AHEPA is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence through community service and volunteerism.   For more information, please visit www.ahepa.org.