ACS Athens - American Community Schools

Board of Trustees

Executive Committee

Chairman: Mr. Constantine Stergides

Vice-Chairman: Mr. Simos Dimas

Treasurer: Mr. Suheil Sabbagh

Secretary: Ms. Georgia Koumantaris Tzouros

Member At Large: Ms. Ann E. Butler

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All the members in alphabetical order

Vanessa Ploumis Adam, is a mother of two ACS Athens students. She feels that it is in her great interest to contribute her time and focus on the continuing development and operation of this excellent school that she and her husband chose for the education of their children.

Ms. Adam believes that education and the environment it thrives in cannot exist without the attention of the parents in all aspects of the opportunities existing for the children. She believes that one way in which she can help guide her children and their classmates through this environment is to assist in facilitating the continuation of excellence in the community she feels fortunate to be a part of. Ms. Adam is a third generation Greek American, and her husband is from Athens. They chose to move to Athens from New York due to their business ventures and the quality of life for their family.

Ms. Adam graduated from Smith College, Northampton Massachusetts in 1984 and received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. From 1984-1987 she was the principal harpist in the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra. In 1987-1990 Ms. Adam attended Villanova Law School, Villanova, Pennsylvania and received a JD and secured her license to practice law in New York State where she spent two years in New York City law firms. In 1992 she opened her own law firm specializing litigation and tax certiorari in New York City. She formally closed her office and retired from the practice of law in 2003 to move to Athens.

In 1994 Ms. Adam co-founded a live entertainment production company known as Arts, Dance and Music Productions with her husband and began working in both the US and in Greece. She moved to Athens to expand the production company knows as ADaM Productions in 2003. From there in 2007 she opened the Badminton Theater, Athens Greece and continue currently as managing director of the theater and the production company.

Ioannis Alafouzos, President and Managing Director of SKAI Radio and Television is the founder, Chairman and Managing Director of the media and communications group of companies, including SKAI Television, and SKAI Radio, a succesful news and information radio station in Attiki, launched in 1989. Within the above framework, he launched Melodia FM in 1990, Lampsi in 1997, Red FM in 2004 and Angel 88.9 FM Radio in 2006.

Mr. Alafouzos studied History & Economics at Oxford University. Following his studies, he served a leading role within the shipping sector. He and his wife, Vickie, have three children.

Tim Ananiadis was born and raised in Greece and at the age of 17 went to Canada to study Business Administration at Ryerson University in Toronto, subsequently moving to the USA where he started his career in the hospitality industry.

He has 30 years of international experience in the hospitality industry, mainly with Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Hyatt international where he started his career at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta and subsequently held the position of Director of Food and Beverage in several hotels (including Hyatt Regency New Orleans, Hilton Head, Nashville, Buffalo, NY, and Columbus, OH). In 1988 he moved to Chicago as the Corporate Director of Food and Beverage for Hyatt hotels with main responsibilities menu engineering, product development, recruitment, development and implementation of service standards and training, concept development and hotel pre-opening support.

As General Manager he held positions in USA at the Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh, Hyatt Regency Coral Gables and Hyatt Regency Miami. In 1999 joined Hyatt International as the General Manager of the Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki and later moved to India as the General Manager of the Grand Hyatt Mumbai.

In 2003 he joined Starwood Hotels and Resorts returning to Greece as the General Manager and Managing Director of the Hotel Grande Bretagne, one of the most historic and prestigious hotels in the world and Area Manager for Greece, Turkey and Cyprus.

Tim lives in Athens with his wife Jennifer and their two young sons, Teo and Louka while his older son Tim lives in Dallas, Texas. He is a member of several non profit and hospitality industry boards as well as internal Starwood functional boards. His business philosophy of an ideal hotel is to provide a comfortable, friendly and efficient environment for guests and associates while maximizing revenues through constant innovation and profits through proactive management.

Ann E. Butler is currently Deputy Counselor of the Regional Affairs Section at the US Embassy in Athens. Over the last 23 years, she has worked for the Federal Government serving in the Political Sections of the US Embassies in Paris, France; Tunis, Tunisia and Vienna, Austria. In 1995, Ann spent several months supporting first the IFOR then SFOR NATO forces in Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina. From 1996-1998, she spent several years working with US Law Enforcement in Austin, Texas. In 2003, following her return from Austria, Ann participated as a member of a Joint Terrorism Task Force in Albany, New York working side by side FBI agents, Immigration and Customs officials, state and local law enforcement officers, Department of Homeland Security officers, Air Marshals and others. In 2005, back in Washington DC, Ann spent two years working with a Federal Interagency effort focused on Counter Terrorism issues.

Ann graduated with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Notre Dame in 1983 having spent her sophomore year abroad studying in Angers, France. Upon graduation, she spent a second year abroad this time in Mons, Belgium on a Rotary Scholarship where she obtained a graduate degree in International Trade. While working full time, Ann attended classes at George Washington University and in 1991 graduated with an M.B.A. in International Business.

Ann and her husband, Joseph, have five children – all of whom attend ACS Athens. In addition to work and family, she enjoys entertaining friends, reading and traveling. Ann strongly believes that the education of our children begins at home and that families have the responsibility to work with and support our schools in order to ensure that our children are given the best preparation for a successful and happy life.

Simos C. Dimas is a lawyer and businessman with over 30 years of experience in international business, law, and policy – with particular focus on Greece and the Balkans. Born and raised in New York , he received his B.A. from Columbia College and his J.D. from the Fordham University School of Law. Mr. Dimas has been very active over the years in the Greek American community, as a founding member of the Hellenic Council of America, former President of the Panepirotic Federation of America and Canada, and the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. He is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor awarded to “Americans of diverse origins for their outstanding contributions to their own ethnic groups and to American society”.

As an attorney, his areas of expertise include litigation, negotiation and settlement of complex corporate and government problems, and international inter-governmental negotiations. Mr. Dimas has worked on a variety of matters involving Greece,including the first case brought by the Greek government under its antiquities law, the recognition by Greece of the State of Israel, and negotiation of the U.S. Greek bilateral air treaties. In 1985, as the pro bono Director of Greek Tourism in the U.S. , he organized a broad-based lobbying coalition and national public relations campaign which helped repeal the 1985 U.S. travel advisory against Greece and revitalize the Greek tourism industry.

In 2001, following a successful 25-year legal career, Mr. Dimas founded Transnational Venture Consultants, Inc. which assists American companies in Greece , Turkey , and the Balkans with investment opportunities, marketing and business development, and legal/extra-legal problem resolution. In Greece , he sits on the Boards of the American Community School and the Arts Center.

Jerry Dimitriou is an Executive with 22 years of experience in nonprofit & for-profit financial management, operations, information technology, human resources and employee benefits.

Since 2000, Jerry Dimitriou has been the Executive Director of Administration for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. He serves as Chief Operating Officer with responsibilities of managing operations, human resources and finances of the Archdiocese with a $22 Million Budget.

During his 22 year association with the Archdiocese, he has held positions of Associate Director of Economic Development, Director of Finance and Administration and financial consultant to The Leadership 100 Endowment Fund.

Mr. Dimitriou has also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Middle Market Commercial Insurance Division of the Chase Manhattan Bank in New York.Jerry Dimitriou holds a Bachelor of Science from Old Dominion University in Norfolk Virginia. He lives in Long Island New York with his wife Betty and their five children.

Mr. Dimitriou was recently appointed to the Board of Trustees of the American Bible Society based in New York City. He is a member of the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and is a consultant to FAITH Endowment Fund.

Saleh S. Jallad is currently the Group Vice President Treasury, Insurance and Government Relations at CCC (Consolidated Contractors Company). He has also served as the legal representative of CC with the Greek authorities, including Greek courts; Board of Directors Financial Committee; Member of the Board of Executive Operational Committee; Members of the Board of companies owned by CCC; Deputy Governor for the “Arab Monetary Fund Abu Dhabi”.

Prior to joining CCC, he held the position of Special Advisor to the President of the Arab Monetary Fund, Assistant Treasurer at the First National Bank of Chicago in Chicago and New York. Some other initiatives taken on by Dr. Jallad are: Chairman and C.E.O. of the Middle East Petroleum and Energy Publications; Publisher of the Middle East Economic Survey “MEES”, est. 1957 Cyprus; Chairman and C.E.O. of the Rimal Books (Publishing House) in Cyprus; and Chairman and C.E.O. of MELESENDE (Publishing House) London.

Dr. Jallad has published various books and publications such as “The Fables of Kalilah and Dimnah” the first direct translation from the Arabic into English published in the UK (2000 and 2004), second edition by July of 2008 – An 8th Century Arabic book of Sanskrit origins translated into more than 40 languages; “Pedagogy of Leadership” to be published in September 2008 in the UK; publications and presentations: more than 36 in numerous conferences on Oil and Gas, Economy and Finance and Cross Cultural Relationships.

Dr. Jallad held the position of honorary member of the Hellenic Literary Society (Athens 2007). He is also the Vice President of the Arab Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, Athens. President and member of the Board of Education of the American Community Schools of Athens (ACS Athens) 1989-1997.

Georgia Koumantaris-Tzouros served as Coordinator of the Psychoeducational Department of both Psychico and Athens College and as school psychologist at both elementary schools for over 10 years.

She is currently the Middle School psychologist for Psychico College, a position she has held for 8 years. Apart from her responsibilities as school psychologist, she is actively involved in group work with adolescents in various settings.She is also a certified teacher in early childhood and has worked with children with special needs, both in the US and Greece.

She has received an M.Ed in Child Development from Tufts University and a B.A. in Psychology from Mount Holyoke College.

She has one child at ACS Athens. As mother and professional she strongly believes in the ACS philosophy and mission. Her professional background of 20 years in the area of psychology and education serve as an asset to the Board of Trustees and further enhance her contribution to the school.

Christopher Leavey has three children attending ACS Athens. Mr. Leavey works at the U.S. Embassy as an attorney, specializing in bilateral agreements between the United States and the Hellenic Republic. He has served all over the United States and the world. Prior to being stationed in Greece, Mr. Leavey taught extensively in the areas of criminal justice and trial advocacy. He has also served as both a prosecutor and defense attorney.

Mr. Leavey has an undergraduate degree in History from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas. Mr. Leavey, his wife Jamie, and their children live in Psychico.

John A. Marder is a founding and managing partner of the firm Manning & Marder. He has been repeatedly recognized as one of California’s most outstanding lawyers. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, 2008 he was selected as a Super Lawyer, by Law & Politics, an organization that honors the top 5% of the California Bar. The selection is based on a detailed peer review survey, followed by a blue ribbon panel review. In 2008, the organization expanded its review process and issued its first National List of Super Lawyers, for which Mr. Marder was also selected. In 2005 he was also awarded the prestigious California Attorney of the Year, by the State’s leading legal journal, the California Lawyer Magazine, which annually recognizes “those attorneys around the State whose work has had a profound and far reaching impact.”

In addition to his regular practice, Mr. Marder serves on various government and industry boards, as well as General Counsel to the International Associations of Special Investigation Units, Southern California Chapter and General Counsel to the Combined Claims Conference. Mr. Marder’s legal career includes extensive jury trial experience, both as a deputy DA in San Bernardino, California, and in private practice in civil litigation, where he has tried and won many high stakes and widely publicized jury trials. He currently concentrates his practice in the area of insurance defense, including coverage and bad faith and general litigation. Mr. Marder is one of California’s leading authorities in the area of insurance fraud litigation. His litigation successes have received great recognition within the insurance industry and he has taught countless seminars and published numerous articles on the subject.

In the area of general litigation Mr. Marder represents entities and individuals on matters ranging from theft of intellectual property to contract disputes and consults with Fortune 1000 clients regarding how to structure their legal affairs in a manner that lessens their expense and exposure. Finally Mr. Marder is widely known as one of California’s leading lawyers in he field of Entertainment Law. Mr. Marder is a graduate of Bates College in Lewiston, Maine (BA 1982) and California Western School of Law (J.D., 1985) and successfully completed Harvard University’s prestigious Executive Education Program in 1997. Mr. Marder is an alumnus of ACS Athens.

Gerry Monopolis holds a PhD in Civil Engineering-Wave Hydrodynamics from University of California, Berkeley. He is the Managing Director of IONH TEXNIKH, a development and construction company, since 2001. Prior to this appointment, he worked for various ExxonMobil Corporation affiliates (Exxon Production Research Co, Exxon Research and Engineering Co., Esso Norge AS, Exxon Upstream Development Co. and ExxonMobil Development Co.) mainly being involved with Deepwater Production research issues and Project Management.

Dr. Monopolis is married to Jennifer and has a son, Christopher, attending the 11th Grade at ACS Athens. Other interests include skiing, sailing, hiking and computers.

Tassos Potamianos is a high school graduate of I.M. Panayiotopoulos in Athens and holds a Law Degree and a Masters in Law from the University of Strasbourg, France, and a L LM Master in Law from Tulane University in New Orleans. Mr. Potamianos practiced law in Athens from 1983-1985.

From 1985-1996 he was General Manager of Eurocroisieres, in Paris, France, a company representing Greek companies in France in the travel industry, cruises, hotels, ferry boats, sailing boats, etc. In 1996-2005 he held the position of Vice President and Board Member at Royal Olympic Cruises, listed in NASDAQ. Parallel to this, he established a construction business in 2003, ( Company IPIROTIKI ANAPTIXIAKI) which is still operating today building houses and apartment buildings in the Athens area and on the islands.

In his free time, Mr. Potamianos is a songwriter (music and lyrics), with more than 40 of his songs being edited and with three personal albums (CDs). He also enjoys writing short stories that have been published in several literary magazines such as Lexi, Poria, Nea Skepsi. He is a member of: AEPI a company for the protection of intellectual property; Elliniki Eteria, Hellenic Society for the protection of the environment and cultural heritage.

Suheil H. Sabbagh holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science from Webber University, USA and is currently the Director Group Human Resources of a leading international and regional group in the construction section of Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC), of which he is a major shareholder. On a personal level, he is involved in many humanitarian projects both in Greece and abroad and is a patron of many charity organizations. Mr. Sabbagh is married and has three children.

John Sitilides is Principal at Trilogy Advisors, a Washington, D.C. government relations and business development company specializing in environmental regulation and energy services. He is Chairman, Board of Advisors, of the Woodrow Wilson Center Southeast Europe Project, and chairs the State Department’s Advanced Area Studies program on Greece and Cyprus. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Biovest International, a biopharmaceutical company, and on the Board of Trustees of International Orthodox Christian Charities, a global humanitarian organization and Leadership 100, a national Greek Orthodox endowment, is a member of the Wilson Council, a U.S. private-sector policy advisory group.

From 1998 to 2004, Sitilides directed the Western Policy Center, a respected international relations institute specializing in foreign and security policies in the eastern Mediterranean and Balkan regions. From 1993 to 1997, Sitilides was a government relations strategist based in Sacramento, CA. From 1985 to 1993, he was a legislative and communications aide to U.S. Senator Alfonse D’Amato (R-NY), and was communications manager on the Senator’s successful 1992 re-election campaign. He served as an informal foreign policy advisor to the 1996 Dole/Kemp presidential campaign, and managed the successful 1988 election campaign of New York State Senator Serphin Maltese.

Twice formally recognized by the State Department for international affairs expertise, Sitilides testified before Congress on U.S. policy in southeastern Europe. In September 2003, Sitilides was appointed to the Commerce Department Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Advisory Council. In January 2007, Sitilides received the “Greek Letters and Culture Award” for his contributions to the advancement of classical knowledge in modern American education, religion, and culture.

As media commentator on global affairs and American politics, Sitilides is frequently interviewed in leading U.S. and international broadcast and print media. He received his Master’s Degree in International Affairs at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs in 1986. A native New Yorker, he lives in McLean, Virginia with his wife, who is an attorney and businesswoman, and their four sons.

Constantine Stergides is a journalist by trade, but now manages his own company which specializes in “wine communications”, i.e. wine-related event management and publications. Mr. Stergides has three daughters, two of whom are ACS graduates and are now students in the US (University of Washington and Bard College). His wife, Nathalie, is an architect, a contemporary dance instructor and, currently, a somatic-psychoeducation therapist. Mr Stergides’ educational background includes: B.A. University of Washington, Political Science; M.A. University of Paris XII, Urban Planning; D.E.A. (Pre-doctorate) University of Paris XII, Urban Trasportation; M.A. University of Paris Sorbonne, Journalism (Foreign Correspondence).