Speakers and Mentors

The NHSA Convention Spring 2011 featured very prominent businessmen of the Greek American community in Chicago and U.S. at large.  All are leaders at their respective industries and NHSA is honored to have them dedicate time to speak at the NHSA Convention in Chicago.
Further we had over 30 mentors that participated at our Hellenic Mentorship Fair who offered career and professional development advice to the student attendees. See full listing below.

Guest speakers:
(Listed in order of appearance)

Theodore Spyropoulos

Theodore Spyropoulos, widely known for his prominent role as coordinator for the United States Region of Council of Hellenes Abroad, was born in Kalavryta Greece.  As an advocate of education, one of his ambitions is to improve education and provide assistance in education to Hellenic American Youths.  Theodore Spyropoulos studied political science at the university level in Greece.  Today, he takes interest in preserving Hellenic Studies at the university level across campuses throughout the United States.

Aside from Spyropoulos’ many endeavors in higher education, his recognized accomplishments in the business world are also eminent.   Spyropoulos exhibits leadership through his presidential role across many operations functioning throughout the USA, Europe and Canada. Such operations include:  T.G.S National Wholesalers, T.G.S Petroleum Co., Inc,  A&T Oil Company,  along with CAM2 International Manufacturing and Marketing Chemical and lubricants.  Some  of Spyropoulos’ other  notable positions include his role as the Director of GTE Engineering, Automotive Wholesalers of Illinois and as chairman of Hermes Expo International.

Apart from being a leader in the education and business worlds, Theodore Spyropoulos is also a recognized leader in the Hellenic Community.  In addition to his role as coordinator for the United States Region of Council of Hellenes Abroad, he has served as president of the Hellenic American National Council and ENOSIS of Hellenic American Organizations of Illinois. Theodore Spyropoulos also is responsible for finding the Spyropoulos Scholarship for Hellenic-American Students in the USA and Hellas as well as the Technonopolis, Thrace, Hallas, International.

 

Dimitri Logothetis

Jim Logothetis has demonstrated leadership in the business world through his years of experience as a senior partner at Ernst & Young.  Logothetis was born in a village outside of Tropoli, Greece, Karatoula Kynourias. After immigrating to the United States he attended DePaul University where he obtained his undergraduate degree in accounting.  He later went on to receive his MBA at the University of Chicago in Accounting, Finance and International Business.

At Ernst and Young, Logothetis has held various leadership positions and worked with clients that include: Harley-Davidson, Whirlpool Corporation, Brunswick Corporation, W.W. Grainger, Lawson Products, Newell-Rubbermaid along with many other consumer/industrial operations.   Logothetis has also served as vice chair of Global Accounts, Managing Partner of the Lake Michigan Area audit practice, a member of the Firm’s Partner Advisory Council, as a Senior Client Service Partner, and also as a Diversity Task Force Chairman.

Apart from the business sphere, Logothetis is an advocate for education.  For over ten years Logothetis has served on the Advisory Council for the DePaul University College of Commerce and its Finance Department.  Logothetis today has additionally served as Chairman for the Board of Trustees for the Hellenic American Academy since it’s founding in 2004.  Logothetis is also a member in the Executive Committee for the Hellenic Museum in Chicago.

 

Endy Zemenides

Endy Zemenides, is an attorney at Johnston Greene LLC, a Chicago based law firm.  Endy specializes in both public/private development transactions including the establishment of industrial, commercial, retail and residential tax increment financing projects, and the structuring of sales tax rebate agreements, property tax abatements and government grants. As an undergraduate Zemenides attended DePaul University and graduated with the highest distinction.  Endy also hold a Masters in International Human Rights with highest distinction from the University of Essex (U.K.)Endy later went on to graduate cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 2000.

Endy’s clients include some of Illinois’ most active developers and several government agencies. Endy also is recognized in the Hellenic community for his pro bono representation of the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center.  Additionally, Endy is a board member for The Coordinated Effort of Hellenes, a Greek-American political advocacy group in the United States, and the National Hellenic Society.  He serves on the editorial board of the National Strategy Forum, a Chicago-based foreign policy research organization and has lectured in International Relations and American foreign policy at DePaul University.  From 2006-2010, Endy served as Senior Advisor to Illinois State Treasurer and Democratic nominee for the United States Senate Alexi Giannoulias.

 

Kostas Zografopoulos

Constantine Zografopoulos is founder and executive director of the Kostas Z Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization in Illinois. He was injured in an auto accident in 1995 and as a result, had both of his legs amputated. The spirit of his life experience helped him find ways to guide the foundation with its mission to provide and create information, participation and integration among people with disabilities and their families and friends. The emphasis is on individual empowerment, organizational support and encouraging accessibility and universal design worldwide.

He has been involved in the foodservice industry for thirty years in Chicago. He holds a B.S. degree from DePaul University and a M.S. degree from Roosevelt University. He has used his ability to speak English, Greek, Portuguese and Spanish to participate in international projects and lectures. He is a public speaker with a large involvement in corporations, non-profits organizations, associations and community organizations. He was involved in Chicago accessible beach path project to allow wheelchairs users to swim in the lakefront beaches. He created Perpato organization for people with disabilities in Komotini, Greece and helped distribute 280 wheelchairs. He has been on various committees to coordinate corporate and non-profit organizations’ fundraising events and activities.

He is a member Rehabilitation of Institute of Chicago’s (RIC) sports program and peer visitor program.  He was named Hellene of the Year by the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois and the Ypapanti Society in 2010 and by the United Hellenic American Congress in 2004. He was the recipient of RIC’s Tree of Life Award in 2001.

He currently serves on the Chicago Park District Disability Advisory Board, Open Doors Organization Advisory Committee, Continental Airlines Advisory Board, PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation Advisory Board and Vice President of the Parish Council of St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, and. He is an Archon Member of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Order of St. Andrew. He has worked with the Open Doors Organization to make travel accessible to all individuals and was involved in the Chicago Access Guide. He was a Torchbearer for the Athens 2004 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

NHSA Convention Spring 2011 Mentors List