Andrew Athens

Andrew A. Athens (real name: Andreas Athanassoulias) was born in 1922 in Chicago to immigrant parents (father's name Aristides). He distinguished himself in the Greek American community serving for 11 years as President of the Council for Hellenes Abroad (SAE), representative organization for Greeks around.

In 1950 he co-founded the Metron Steel Corporation, a particularly successful industry in the American Midwest that even today is one of the USA's largest steelworks. He served as its President and CEO from 1950 through 1991. He now serves as chairman of the board of Alpha Steel, but he devotes his full-time to volunteer work on behalf of Hellenism and Orthodoxy.

Athens became involved in Greek community affairs early on in his adult life. Just about every major initiative to support Hellenism and the Orthodox Church in the USA and elsewhere bears his stamp, whether as a founding member or as the chairman of foundations and organizations. He has received over 42 awards from governments, philanthropic foundations and other organizations around the world.

Athens also distinguished himself during his military service in the Second World War and in the reconstruction of Europe. As a US Army captain he took part in Allied operations in Europe and the Middle East and was honored both by the USA and by the Hungarian government for his contribution to that country's postwar reconstruction.

For 25 years, and during the tenure of Archbishop Iakovos, he was president of the council of the Archdiocese of North and South America.

He is expected to step down as President of SAE before the end of the year.