Andrew A. Athens 1996 Recipient

The life of Andrew A. Athens has been guided by the values implicit in Hellenism: freedom, democracy, human rights, and civic service. Devoting much of both his time and personal financial resources, Andrew A. Athens works tirelessly for Greece and the Greek-American community. Whether he is visiting the White House to advocate for fairness in United States foreign policy, working on behalf of Greeks abroad, or serving the Greek-Orthodox Church, Andrew A. Athens gives of himself in ways that touch the lives of both Greeks and Greek-Americans. No other Greek-American has worked as long, fought as hard, and succeeded as much in advancing the values of Hellenism.

Calling Andrew A. Athens a Greek-American community leader would be an understatement. He heads several national Greek-American organizations that make up much of what we think as the Greek American Community. We list some of these.

• Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), elected first President in December, 1995. The council's mission is to provide the coordinating mechanism to unite Hellenes abroad with Greece in an effort to strengthen both.
• United Hellenic American Congress, National Chairman. Founder 1974 to present.
• Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce, U.S.A., Inc., co-founder in 1991 and Chairman of the Board to present. The HACC is the only American organization recognized by the Greek government as the official economic liaison between the U.S. and Greece.
• Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North & South America, President Emeritus and life Member, April 1979 to present.
• Leadership 100, Chairman. Primary responsibility of raising a $50 million endowment fund for the Archdiocese and for the perpetuation of Orthodoxy in the Americas.

Andrew A. Athens has also had an illustrious corporate career. Having founded the Metron Steel Corporation in 1950, he served as its President and Chief Executive Officer until 1991. Metron Steel is a major steel service center in the Midwest.

His contributions to the United States, Greece, the Greek-American community, and to his local community in Chicago have been recognized by dozens of organizations. Below, we list only a few.

• Bronze Star for the Egypt-Libya campaign and the Army Commendation Ribbon, World War II.
• Gold Cross of the Order of the Phoenix, June 15, 1977. Presented by the Greek Government in recognition of multi-faceted contributions, nationally and politically, in promoting relations between the United States and Greece.
• Honored by President George Vassiliou of Cyprus with the presentation of a Special Presidential Award in recognition of contributions to the struggle of Cyprus, 1988.
• Medal of St. Andrew, presented by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos in recognition of outstanding service to Church and Community, devotion to human rights and social justice, and commitment to the American Spirit and faith in this Nation.

Andrew A. Athens resides in Chicago, Illinois. He is married to Louise Athens. They have two children, Paul (wife Kellee) and Jacqueline (husband Alex James).