The Governors
BIOS
Thomas C. Yeotis--Served as District 10 Governor for one term (1964-65). He is a life member of Flint Chapter 141. As Governor, Brother Tom took on the challenge to establish the Ypsilanti Greek Theater, which created much interest in the City of Ypsilanti, as well as among AHEPANS and the DOP. Nationally, he served as Supreme Counselor and had the opportunity to meet President Richard Nixon in the Oval Office. He was very active in AHEPA sports. He assisted the Supreme Athletic Director to create The AHEPA Greek American Sports Hall of Fame and served as its Secretary for 30 years. He was instrumental in the Flint Chapter hosting AHEPA National Tournaments in basketball, softball, bowling and golf. Brother Tom coached Chapter basketball teams that won two AHEPA National Championships and played on the Chapter softball team that won numerous District 10 championships and was a finalist in three National AHEPA tournaments.
Chris D. Kontos--Served as District 10 Governor for one term (1972-73). He is a life member and currently a member of the Henry & Edsel Ford Chapter 374. Locally, Brother Chris served in all Chapter offices, including Chapter President for two terms. He also served as the District's Lieutenant Governor and Secretary. He is a founding member of the District 10 Educational Foundation, which has now awarded over $400,000 in educational scholarships, and continues to be a financial advisor to the Board. Nationally, he served as the Supreme Governor of Region 5 for two terms. Brother Chris has attended almost 25 National Conventions, chairing one of them. He is, also, a member of, both, the National Hellenic Cultural and the AHEPA Publications Committees.
John Chinonis--Served as District 10 Governor for one term (1979-80). He is a life member of Flint Chapter 141. Brother John served in all Chapter and District offices. He has attended 32 National Conventions and, at least, 50 District 10 Conventions, chairing five of the District Conventions. As District Governor, he reactivated and organized six Chapters of the Sons of Pericles, raising the total SOP District membership to almost 100 members. During his term, he also chaired the first District Convention, outside the hosting city (Flint), in Traverse City. To date, it was one of the most well attended District 10 Conventions ever. As District Treasurer, with the treasury depleted, he was instrumental in starting the $100 District 10 raffle. Brother John served as the District SOP Adviser for nine years and was heavily responsible for the election of two SOP Supreme Presidents from District 10. Nationally, Brother John served one term as Supreme Governor, seven years as the National Adviser to the SOP, and numerous National Committees.
Milton A. Gust--Served as District 10 Governor for one term (1981-82). He is a life member and currently a member of the Aegean Chapter 506. Brother Milton served in all Chapter and District offices. As District Governor, he established workshops, both, on the East and West sides of the state, where the District Lodge officers tutored and worked with Chapter officers on what their role or function was. He is a founding member of the District 10 Educational Foundation and has been its Secretary, since its inception 40 years ago. On the National level, Brother Milton was one of the longest serving members of the National Educational Foundation, where he served multiple terms as its Secretary and Chairman. He is a member and the Secretary of the Hellenic Cultural Commission. He reinstituted the awarding of the Academy of Achievement Awards at the National Convention Banquet. But probably, Brother Milton's greatest honor is being one of only five members of District 10 to ever be voted National AHEPAN of the Year in 1985.
Phillip T. Frangos--Served as District Governor for one term (1982-83). He was a life member of the Wolverine Chapter 142 in Lansing. Brother Phil served in all Chapter and District offices. During his term as District Governor, the District membership was stable at about 1000 members, which included active Chapters in Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Kalamazoo, and his term culminated in a highly successful District Convention in Traverse City. Nationally, Brother Phil is unequalled. He served as a Supreme Convention Secretary, Vice-Chairman, and twice as Chairman. He served on the National Board of Directors for five years, four of the years as Chairman. During his chairmanship, the Trustees purchased the current AHEPA Headquarters building in Washington DC and donated almost $500,000 for the restoration of Ellis Island. He served on the Supreme Lodge as the Supreme Counselor for two terms, Supreme Secretary, Supreme Vice-President, and last year became the first Supreme President, ever from District 10. During his term as Supreme President, Brother Phil's accomplishments included being in Constantinople for the meeting between the Patriarch and the Pope, laying a stone for AHEPA at the ground blessing for the rebuilding of St. Nicholas at Ground Zero, and leading the AHEPA delegation in Selma, Alabama during the 50th anniversary of the historic civil rights march of 1965. In 2023, Brother Phil received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Order of AHEPA. Brother Frangos's son Themistocles Frangos would follow in his father's footsteps serving as Supreme Counselor and presently Supreme Treasurer.
James Kokas--Served as District Governor for one term (1984-85). He was a life member of Saginaw Valley Chapter 216. Brother Jim served in all Chapter and District offices. He visited all the Chapters in the District, at least once. He attended the Governor's Conference in Washington DC. He was a very personable Governor , who was driven to increase membership throughout District 10. He was always attempting to entice people in to becoming members of AHEPA. He travelled extensively in the attempt to reactivate the Henry & Edsel Ford Chapter 374 and to create a new Chapter in Traverse City. His term as District Governor culminated in a successful District Convention at the Park Place Hotel in Traverse City.
George D. Papageoriou--Served as District 10 Governor for one term (1985-86). He is a life member of Alpha Chapter 40. Brother George served in all Chapter and District Offices. He was instrumental in forming the Aegean Chapter 506, encouraging new members to join the newly formed Chapter rather than his own. He personally gathered ten young men and formed the Sons of Pericles Chapter in Detroit. He, also, helped form the Sons of Pericles Chapters in Flint and Saginaw. One of his greatest accomplishments was to have a mass initiation of approximately 80 new members that he and his brother, Past District 10 Governor Elias D. Papageorgiou, brought into the Alpha Chapter. Nationally, he served as Supreme Governor in 1988-89 and was ultimately elected Chairman of the Supreme Governors, where he led all Supreme Governors' meetings for the year. Brother George is proud to have participated in most of the District and National Conventions since 1965, as a delegate of the Alpha Chapter.
George Platsis-- Served as District 10 Governor for one term (1987-88). He was a many year member of Lansing Chapter 142. He served in all Chapter and District offices. During his term as Governor, Brother George visited all Chapters in District 10. He is very proud and was instrumental, with the help of Perry Kallis, his sons and their company, in the long overdue upgrading of the facilities of the Rose City Camp. Nationally, Brother George served a term as the Supreme Counselor.
George J. Kallos--Served as District 10 Governor for one term (1990-91) He is a life member and currently a member of Aegean Chapter 506. During his tenure as Governor, a concerted effort was made to improve communication through correspondences, newsletters, and increased Chapter visitations. He visited every Chapter throughout the state of Michigan to create an atmosphere for member participation, which also led to an increase in membership. He is very proud to have served on the District 10 Educational Foundation for twelve years, for which he was the Chairman for nine of those years. He, also, served as either chairman or co-chairman for the Foundation's 20th, 25th, and 30th year celebrations. He was instrumental in continuing the major renovations to the Rose City Camp, by substantial contributions of labor and funding. Brother George is exceptionally proud to have led a contingent of 41 Brothers and Sisters from District 10 to Ellis Island for an event, where the U.S. Department of the Interior honored the Order of AHEPA for its many accomplishments to the Ellis Island Project.
Anthony Moulatsiotis--Served as District 10 Governor for one term (1991-92). He was a long time member of the Greater Muskegon Chapter 213. During his term as Governor, he visited every Chapter in the state of Michigan. He oversaw the completion of the major renovations at the Rose City Camp. He was also very involved with the District 10 Educational Foundation's E-Club and scholarship committee. Brother Tony is exceptionally proud for his work in establishing humanitarian relief of the devastating earthquake of his home town of Kalamata, Greece, where he personally delivered clothing, blankets, medical supplies and established a fund to sponsor a hundred families for a year and help rebuild the town. He states that his AHEPA experience and the Brotherhood gave him the strength and desire to do more as a public servant, therefore becoming the Muskegon County Commissioner and Treasurer.
John Pappas--Served as District 10 Governor for one term (1994-95). He is a long time member and currently a member of Ann Arbor Chapter 195. He served all offices at both the Chapter and District levels. As District Governor, he visited all Chapters throughout the District. He was at the forefront in achieving the fundraising goal for the dedication of the magnificent bronze statue of Hippocrates, which was donated to the University of Michigan Medical School. He is proud to have served on the District 10 Educational Foundation and to have hosted the District 10 Convention in Ann Arbor. During his AHEPA career, Brother John was instrumental in the restoration of the statue of Demetrios Ypsilanti and the placement of both the Greek and American flags in front of the statue, in his home town of Ypsilanti. He, also, served as the Supreme Governor for the states of Kansas and Missouri in 1995-96 and values his experiences meeting Brothers throughout those states.
Mike Syropoulos--Served as District 10 Governor for one term (1997-98). He is a 28 year member of Aegean Chapter 506. As District Governor, he visited all Chapters throughout the District. Brother Mike was instrumental in the publishing of the "Automotive Journal". He, also, organized a Mid-Winter AHEPA Conference on Hellenism, where there were participants from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Ontario, Canada. This Conference lasted for four consecutive years, between 1998 and 2001. He, also, served two terms as Supreme Governor (1999-2001). As Supreme Governor, Brother Mike arranged for the Supreme Lodge to come to Detroit for their meeting. This was the first time in 50 years, that Detroit was used as a venue for a Supreme Lodge Meeting. One of his greatest honors was being elected National AHEPAN of the Year; Only one of five District 10 members to ever achieve that honor!
Tom A. Drossos--Served as District 10 Governor for one term (2000-01). He was a many year member of Alpha Chapter 40. As District Governor, Brother Tom is proud of his involvement of a fundraiser, at the Atheneum Hotel, that raised over $50K for the Modern Greek Studies Program at the University of Michigan. This successful event brought people from all over the country and was instrumental in the permanent establishment of the Constantine Cavafy Chair of Modern Greek Studies. This in turn formed a relationship with AHEPA that co-hosted many speakers and events together. He, also, increased communication with all elected members of the Michigan delegation to the US Congress. These grass-roots actions assisted the Hellenic Caucus and resulted in bill sponsorship favoring Hellenic issues such as the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Cyprus reunification, Macedonian name dispute, to name a few.
Richard Tervo--Served as District 10 Governor for one term (2002-03). He is a member of Alpha Chapter 40. He was instrumental in the reactivation of the Henry and Edsel Ford Chapter 374 (Dearborn), the formation of the King Phillip II Chapter 526 (Birmingham), and the formation of a Sons of Pericles Chapter at Wayne State University. He initiated a membership drive within District 10, when membership was declining. It reversed the trend and membership rose to over 600 active members, for which he is very proud. Through his unique strategy of communicating to the members and the Hellenic community, he was successful in following through and completing AHEPA National and District projects. Brother Rick, also, pushed a letter campaign to Wayne State University, which successfully prevented the cancellation of the Classic Greek Studies program there.
Paul Taros--Served as District Governor for one term (2004-05). He is a member and currently a member of Alpha Chapter 40. He served as President and Treasurer at the Chapter level and, also, Treasurer at the District level. While Governor, he spearheaded the Cooley's Anemia bone marrow canister program, which resulted in the collection of much needed funds for the program. He, also, led the District Lodge in hosting the 74th District 10 Convention, which in turn was profitable. As a member of the Bloomfield Hills Chapter 135, he is proud to have carried out the wishes of the Chapter and presented a $10,000 check to the Educational Foundation in the name of the Socrates V. Sekles Scholarship Fund. At the National level, Brother Paul served three years on the National Board of Auditors.
Tony Manolias--Served as District 10 Governor for two terms (2006-08). He is a member of Alpha Chapter 40. He rose very quickly through the Chapter and District ranks. He served as the Alpha Chapter's President and Treasurer and, also, the District 10 Treasurer. He served ten years on the District 10 Educational Foundation, three years as Treasurer, and diligently worked to organize years of data to create the foundation of today's records. Brother Tony served as the Supreme Governor of Region 5 during the 2013-14 term, where he visited many Chapters in both Michigan and Ohio. He served in a six year term as a board member of the AHEPA National Educational Foundation.
Pete G. Tecos--Served as District 10 Governor for two terms (2008-10). He is a 12 year member of Aegean Chapter 506 and elevated to Governor very quickly. Brother Pete was the Governor during the same years as his wife, Sister Olga Tecos, was the Daughters of Penelope Governor. During those two years as Governors they also served as District Advisors to the Sons and Maids, chaired the Festival of Tables, Movie Nights and District 10 Conventions. However, they were most passionate about serving the Educational Foundation. They worked together to help foster the Foundation's growth and helped raise money to fund three endowed scholarships. Brother Pete has fond memories of his time as Governor and appreciated everyone's support.
Costas Boutsikakis--Served as District 10 Governor for two terms (2010-12). He is a many year member and currently a member of Ann Arbor Chapter 195. At the Chapter level, Brother Costas has been the President of Chapter 195 for 17 years, where he has nurtured the growth from almost a dormant Chapter to nearly 100 paid members, now, the largest Chapter in District 10. Also, during his presidential tenure, he led the Chapter in donating over $200K to various causes, charities and scholarships. He increased the Chapter educational scholarship awards from one $250 scholarship, per year, to a yearly $1000 scholarship to every graduating high school senior from the Chapter 195 community. Also, under his direction, the Chapter 195 Scholarship Endowment Fund was established for a future perpetual scholarship. As Governor, he visited all Chapters in District 10 and participated in numerous initiations. He was instrumental in the organization of two successful District 10 Conventions. On the National level, Brother Costas recently completed his one term as Supreme Governor. He is proud to have worked with so many Brothers, who were willing to help, and attributes his success to them.
George Mortis--Served as District 10 Governor for one term (2012-13). He is a 26 year member of Alpha Chapter 40. He has served all offices at both the District and the Chapter levels. He served a number of years on the Educational Foundation, where he is currently the President. While Governor, he visited all Chapters in District 10 and led the District Lodge in hosting a very successful 2013 District 10 Convention at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Troy. During that Convention he organized a luncheon to recognize the District 10 Life Members. Brother George served on the AHEPA National Educational Foundation and currently serves on the Board of Advisors on the District Educational Foundation.
George N. Contis--Served as District 10 Governor for one term (2013-14). He is a 32 year member and currently a member of Ann Arbor Chapter 195. As Governor, he visited all Chapters in the District. He attended the District Governor's Conference in Washington DC to exchange ideas on membership, which he also shared with the District 10 Chapters to ultimately increase the District's membership. Brother George met with His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit for possible collaboration between the Diocese and the AHEPA Family to share and increase membership. He represented District 10 at all Educational Foundation meetings and participated in fundraisers to raise funding for scholarships and the Hellenic Museum of Michigan. He states that, "My greatest achievement is to know that the AHEPA Family is strong, has a future, and that I was a part of it..."
Craig Theros-- Brother Craig Theros served as governor from 2014-2016. During his tenure, Brother Craig held two successful conventions and held a governor's ball to honor the living district governors at that time. Brother Craig currently serves as the longtime president of Ann Arbor 195. Brother Craig has helped to push the district forward. He is also co-chair of the AHEPA Journey to Greece Program and served on the Athletics Awarding for National AHEPA. He also served as Supreme Governor. He recently completed the 126th Boston Marathon, where he honored the legacy of Stylianos Kyriakides, a Greek marathon legend. Theros has also been involved in various philanthropic activities, including organizing the "Milk for Flint" drives, which provided much-needed resources to communities in need.
Dr. Evans Farres-- A longtime member of VI Chebithes 391, Brother Evans served twice as district governor. He helped in pushing for new membership and an engagement as such. Dr. Evans helped to oversee with Brother Dimitri Papageorgiou a transition to a new era in the District. Brother Evans served a second term as governor when the need arose and helped with Brother Papageorgiou to lead District 10 through the pandemic era and into a modern era. Dr. Evans also has served as a Physician at MSU Professor and has a long history of mentorship in guiding the younger generation to lead the District. In 2024, Dr. Evans was awarded as the District 10 AHEPAN of the Year for all his hard work and sacrifices made during his tenure as District Governor.
Dimitri Papageorgiou-- A member of Ann Arbor 195, Brother Papageorgiou helped to usher in a technologically modern District 10. Dimitri's innovations led to a foundation to which the current systems within the District are built upon. Brother Dimitri's devotion to the legacy and memory of Greek Studies were admirable with the University of Michigan Endowment Fund he pushed forward. Dimitri also served on the District Educational Foundation and assisted greatly with the matrices developed there. Brother Dimitri also served as Supreme Governor following his term as Governor and presently remains in the area as a great resource of wisdom and advice.
Petros Besieris-- Previously of Aegean 506 when he first joined the lodge, Brother Petros joined Omega 371 prior to his election to the governorship. Brother Petros built upon the legacies of his predecessors Dimitri Papageorgiou and Dr. Evans Farres and continued to push the district forward. Brother Petros helped to modernize the presentation of the District Newsletter, the District Website, and many other innovations. Brother Petros' time as governor was an era of much change. Change necessary for the growth of the District in its long term future. During his tenure, Brother Petros presided over one of the youngest District 10 lodges in AHEPA history with all of their members being under 30.
James Thomas-- One of the youngest governors elected in recent memory at 21 years of age. Prior to his governorship on a lodge, he served as treasurer. Brother James during his tenure as treasurer stepped up to the plate to help the district. He visited all of the existing chapters numerous times and helped to restoke the fire of AHEPA in many of the longtime members who had been inactive since the pandemic era. He pushed hard for new membership and engagement of membership. Brother James attended with his District Treasurer Merek Vincent the governor's conference in 2024. Brother James serves as Omega 371 Chapter President being elected at 19 to replace longtime Chapter President John Hatzis. During his tenure as President, Brother James saw a increase in chapter membership from 40 members to 86 presently, majority of which are under 30 years old and a national chapter of the year award in 2023. Brother James presently has organized a convention in 2025 for Traverse City and a 2024 Midyear in East Lansing.