NEW YORK – The Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce (HACC) introduced its new Executive Board members at a Cocktail Party hosted by Lou Katsos and Michael Theodorobeakos at Manhattan’s Russian Tea Room on June 23.

Theodorobeakos, the outgoing president, was unable to attend, so full Emcee responsibility devolved upon Katsos, the new Executive VP who hosts a popular series of panel discussions as the chairman of HACC’s Committee for Construction, Architecture, Design and Engineering.

Katsos welcomed the guests and said the event’s second purpose is was thank everyone for their support, including the members of sibling local and European countries chambers who were in attendance.

He presented a brief history of HACC, its role in promoting commerce between the U.S. and Greece, its roots in the Greek shipping industry and the story of the latter’s resurrection after WWII.

Katsos also noted HACC’s upcoming events, including its 66th annual dinner dance at the Pierre Hotel on October 17, and the 7th annual Greek Film Festival that will run October 3-16, and is directed by James DeMetro.

Clay Maitland, who was re-elected Chairman of the Board, introduced Nancy Papaioannou, a Senior Vice President at Atlantic Bank, who is the first female president in the history of the Chamber.

She thanked all the members for their support and Katsos and Theodorobeakos for the hosting the event, and said she looked forward to developing HACC’s programs “and networking opportunities which are so valuable to the community.”

Papaioannou acknowledged George Iliopoulos, the Consul General of Greece, who later offered greetings and congratulated Papaioannou and HACC, which he called “one of the most successful associations,” in the community.

Katsos told TNH was very pleased to cohost what he agreed was both wonderful social gathering and an historic event for the community.

Amplifying what he said during his presentation, he noted that “certainly Greece is in the minds of all Chamber members,” whom, he agreed, can play a role in building the New Greece.

“Diaspora Hellenes have graduated to positions of influence a long time ago. Many are heads of corporations in many different sectors and the crowd is a mix of Hellenes and non-Greeks.” He added, “It’s all about commerce and relationship and quite frankly Greeks are very influential in the local New York market beyond what people imagine.”

The guests enjoyed fellowship, fine food and music by pianist Spiros Cardamis and Mike Stoupakis on Bouzouki.