The Hellenic Initiative is proud to bring our 13th Annual Gala back to New York in support of Crisis Relief and Entrepreneurship opportunities in Greece. This year’s Gala will feature our amazing honoree, exclusive networking and upbeat entertainment.
We hope you enjoy!
Born in 1931 in Warren, Ohio, to Greek immigrants Anthony and Paraskevi Payiavlas, John A. Payiavlas is a Korean War veteran and recipient of Greece’s Commander’s Cross of Valour. After his Army service, he operated the Village Café before purchasing a small vending company in 1960, which he grew into AVI Foodsystems, now serving over 8,500 locations in 49 states with nearly 10,000 employees.
Deeply committed to community and faith, John is an active member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church and has served as Chairman Emeritus of Leadership 100 and as an Archon Depoutatos of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He has also contributed to numerous local organizations, including Cleveland Clinic, Warren City Schools, and Inspiring Minds.
Among his many honors are the Ellis Island Medal of Honor (1996), induction into the Northeast Ohio Business Hall of Fame (2000), and the Cleveland Clinic Distinguished Fellow Award (2006).
At 94, John remains actively involved with his family, business, and community. He and his wife Marisa have two children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Right now, The Hellenic Initiative is auctioning off a number of fun and unique items ranging from trips abroad classic Greek cultural items! There is something for everyone! All funds from this auction will go directly towards supporting families and funding programs in Greece. Auction closes on the night of the gala, December 2 at 11:00 pm.
Andrew N. Liveris, Chair
George P. Stamas, Chair
Dean Dakolias and Monique Cusson
Ted and Lynn Leonsis
Corinne Mentzelopoulos
Michael G. & Robin Psaros
American Express
Gibson Dunn
JP Morgan Chase
Koudounis Family Foundation
Andrew N. and Paula Liveris
Dennis & Karen Mehiel
Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Pericles and Neda Navab
George P. & Georgia Stamas
Jeff & Penny Vinik
Aramco
Maria Allwin
George and LeeAnn Anderson
Michael and Christine Angelakis
Mark Affolter, James Miller, Michael Arougheti, Ares Management
Peter and Adrienne Barris
Drake and Maria Behrakis
Gary Bettman, Commissioner National Hockey League
Scott Brickman
Kenneth & Kathryn Chenault
Donn & Sharon Davis
Delta Air Lines
Demoulas Super Markets, Inc.
Theane Evangelis & James Kousoulas
Mina Faltas
Raul & Jean-Marie Fernandez
John D. Georges
Goldman Sachs
Stephen Greenberg, Allen & Co.
Peter Guber, Mandalay Entertainment
Jeff Skoll Group LLC
Sheila Johnson and Honorable William T. Newman
Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation
Jr. Bruce Karsh, Karsh Family Foundation
Jeong & Cindy Kim
Nikos Koumettis, The Coca-Cola Company
Ambassador Eleni and Markos Kounalakis
John & Suzanne Luetkemeyer
Dean & Marianne Metropoulos
Roger Mody
Jeffrey S. Moorad
Stephen & Judy Pagliuca
Curtis Polk, Hornets Sports and Entertainment
Russell & Norma Ramsey
David Rubenstein, The Carlyle Group
Cathy & George Sakellaris
Fredrick Schaufeld, SWaN & Legend Venture Partners
Adam Silver, Commissioner National Basketball Association
Starbright Floral Design
Teneo Holdings
The Nicholas J. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation
Kevin Virostek, Ernst & Youngst
Ted Virtue, MidOcean Partners
Chris Ashton, Worley
Bank of America
The Boro Hotel
George Casey, Shearman & Sterling
Anthony Diamandakis, Citi
Dow
Alexander & Evee Georgiadis
Alex Gorsky, Johnson & Johnson
Tom Kartsotis, Shinola Detroit
McKinsey & Co
Michael Miebach, MasterCard
Polydor Foundation
Nick Scandalios
Simos Simeonidis, Delsona Therapeutics
SMBC
Soupata and Zervoulias Family Foundation
George & Grazia Svokos
Earl & Amanda Stafford
Stergios (Terry) Theologides
Vardinoyannis
Spiro & Roman Verras
Dimitrios Athanasopoulos, AXIA Ventures
Kostas & Laura Alexakis
John and Mimi Anderson
Leon & Robyn Andris
Michael Bapis
Robert & Violeta Buhler
Neil and Marcy Cohen
Athanasios & Annie Damis
Jack Davies
Demetri & Lea Fifis
Michelle Freeman
Mr. Savas Konstantinides
Paul & Kelly Lountzis
Pedas Family Foundation
Dennis & Jamie Scurletis
Constantine N. Skarvelis
List as of November 27, 2023
