NEW YORK – Greek and Italian-American Daniel S. Janis III Senior Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager Manulife Asset Management (US), LLC was honored on June 13 by the Hellenic American Association for Professionals in Finance (HABA) at the 36th Annual Executive of the Year Award Dinner in Manhattan.

Mr. Janis is head of Global Multi-Sector Fixed Income at Manulife Asset Management. He is a senior managing director, senior portfolio manager and the lead portfolio manager for the company’s global multi-sector fixed income strategies, responsible for asset allocation, global bond research and currency management. His areas of expertise include global economics, foreign exchange, derivatives and risk management. Prior to joining the company, Janis was a vice president and proprietary risk manager for BankBoston. He also had been a vice president for Morgan Stanley in the foreign exchange department and managed their forward desk from 1991 to 1997. He holds certification from the Association of International Bond Dealers. Janis earned a BA in Economics at Harvard University.

The event began with a reception and continued with HABA President Fanny Trataros who gave the welcoming remarks, thanking all those present, especially the HABA Board members and administrative assistant Ariana Franciscovic for their efforts. Alexis Christoforous- news anchor and business correspondent for Yahoo Finance served as the Mistress of Ceremonies at the event. She noted that the honoree is also half Greek and half Italian like she is.

HABA Vice President Robert Savage introduced the honoree pointing out his many accomplishments. In his acceptance speech Janis thanked HABA and all those who helped him along the way. He said “I am honored to accept this award,” then added his advice in business, “make sure that everything you do, you do with integrity… my word is my bond,” and noting the importance of being “humble, honest, and hungry.”

Janis then spoke about his background, growing up in a blue collar town in Massachusetts, the third of five children, his Italian mother and Greek father instilled values that he still lives by. His Greek dad was “focused, made sure you got respect and earned respect and made sure that was a continuous process and never be content.”

He thanked his wife Stephanie and daughter Sabrina who were both present and highlighted the importance of giving back.

“We’ve been very fortunate,” Janis said, “We’re blessed,” and noted his plan to be more involved with HABA’s efforts, especially the mentoring program, sharing his priceless knowledge and experience with the younger generation.

The award was then presented along with a citation honoring Janis from the New York State Assembly, sent by Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis who could not attend the event. Costas Kellas, member of the HABA Board of Directors, and former president of the organization, gave the closing remarks, encouraging everyone to become active in HABA.

Fanny Trataros, Jim Gerkis, Bob Savage, honoree Daniels S. Janis, Sophia Proutnzos, Nick Lionas, Anna Sembos, Costas Kellas, and George Meroulis. Photo by Costas Bej

After the ceremony, when asked about his last name’s pronunciation in Greek, Janis told The National Herald that he would have to ask his father, but the family name was originally Giannopoulos and had been later cut to Janis. He also told TNH that his grandmother came to America through Ellis Island.

Also in attendance at the event were Consul General of Greece in New York Konstantinos Koutras, Consul of Greece Spyridoula-Ioanna Zochiou, Georgios Michailidis- Head of Economic & Commercial Affairs at the Consulate, Menelaos Menelaou- Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cyprus to the UN, Aristos Constantine- Trade Commissioner of Cyprus, Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce Chair and Atlantic Bank President Nancy Papaioannou, U.S. Cyprus Chamber of Commerce President Nicolas Nicolaou, New Jersey’s Greek American Chamber of Commerce President Michael Hadjiloucas, HABA Officers- Manny Caravanos- Treasurer and Sophia Prountzos- Secretary, and Nick Lionas- member of the HABA Board of Directors.

HABA 2018 Executive of the Year Daniel S. Janis III, at the podium. Photo by Kostas Bej