NEW YORK – Greek News USA
The Cyprus-U.S. Chamber of Commerce held a well-attended Annual Membership Meeting followed by the Election of the new Board of Directors and Executive Committee on Wednesday February 5th at the offices of Neuberger Bergman in Manhattan.
Demetris Comodromos was elected as the new President of the Cyprus-U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Maria Pappas was elected as Chairman of the Board and Maria Christodoulou, was re-elected as President of the Cypriot Young Professionals (CYP).
Outgoing President Maria Pappas thanked the membership for their support and unwavering commitment to the Chamber and in a sincere expression of appreciation said: “I have been very privileged to have worked with such a distinguished and committed group of Board of Directors for the past four years as President of the Cyprus-U.S. Chamber of Commerce’’.
Pappas thanked the Executive Committee, Demetrios Comodromos, Theodore Kakoyiannis, Petroula Lambrou and Nicolas Nicolaou for their cooperation as well as the Chamber’s Executive Director Mrs. Despina Axiotakis for her unwavering support and being the “glue” of the Chamber all these years!
She also expressed her gratitude to Andreas Comodromos, Chamber Founder who has contributed to the Cyprus-U.S. Chamber since its inception in 1997, and “who has been a source of strength and valuable advice to me, during my tenure serving as president”.
Honorary Chairman and Founder, Andreas Comodromos thanked the Board for their steadfast commitment and enthusiasm in promoting the work of the Chamber and asked them to continue their support and work with the incoming Board of Directors.
He gave a brief history of how the Chamber was started over 27 years ago with the Inauguration in New York City attended by then Cyprus President, Mr. Glafcos Clerides.
Treasurer Petroula Lambrou reported that the financial condition of the Chamber is in an excellent state and has been significantly elevated these past four years with the direction of the entire Board and Maria Pappas.
The outgoing Board honored members stepping down, including Theo David, one of the Chamber’s original Board Members.
The Trade Commissioner of Cyprus the Honorable Aristos Constantine addressed the membership and expressed his admiration for the Chamber’s work and offered his continued support for the Chamber.
At the conclusion of the General Membership Meeting, the elections for the new Board were held.
The newly elected Board Members are: Agathangelou, Chloe Christodoulou, Kyriaki Christodoulou, Phil Chrysostomou, Andreas Comodromos, Demetrios Hadjiloucas, Michael Kakoyiannis, Theodore Karacostas, Nicholas Lambrou, Petroula Liapis, Angela Marcou, Nicos Nicolaou, Nicolas Pappas, Maria Savvides, Evis Shailas, Christina Stephani, Mike Tannousis, Jovanna Theodoropoulos, Stathis
The Advisory Committee consists of: John Televantos, Philip Christopher, Peter Kakoyiannis, Vassos Vassiliou, and Theo David.
Newly-elected President Demetrios Comodromos, Founder/Partner of Method Design Architecture + Urbanism, commented: “It is an honor and a privilege for me to serve as the 8th President of the Cyprus-U.S Chamber of Commerce. I would like to thank our outgoing President, Mrs. Maria Pappas, for her relentless commitment, and leadership she demonstrated during her presidency.”
Comodromos identified his goals for the next two years to promote business, social, and cultural programs that preserve and promote the trade, heritage and culture of Cyprus and Greece. Comodromos also discussed that the Chamber would prioritize investing in, and strengthening the local business and professional community by increasing the Chamber’s networking, mentorship, and content programming in cooperation with its Youth Committee, the Cypriot Young Professionals (CYP).
CYP President Maria Christodoulou also attended with 15 members of the CYP and presented their goals and upcoming events for 2025. This includes a robust program of networking events, cooperative events with other like-kind youth business groups, and the debut of a ‘Small Business Series’ that will be focused on encouraging small business ownership and entrepreneurship amongst the Cypriot and Cypriot-American young professionals.
The meeting closed with Comodromos thanking everyone on the Board—specifically those that worked relentlessly all these years outgoing Chairman Nicos Nicolaou and Executive Director Despina Axiotakis for all of their hard work.
The Cyprus-U.S. Chamber of Commerce was inaugurated in 1998 by then-President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides to promote and extend commercial, industrial, and economic relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the United States, and works to build strong partnerships between Cypriot and American professionals. The Chamber’s membership comprises hundreds of distinguished entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals in numerous fields including finance, law, communications, energy, engineering, the arts, and architecture.
