Leadership

First Vice President 

George Lattas serves in numerous leadership roles within the Greek Orthodox Church, the legal profession, and the broader Hellenic community. He currently serves as Vice President of the Parish Council of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church and as Chair of the parish’s Philanthropy Committee. In this role, he has helped raise more than $125,000 to support philanthropic initiatives carried out in the name of the parish.

At Saints Constantine and Helen, George has also played an active role in parish governance and education. He spearheaded revisions to the parish bylaws, served on the Koraes Elementary School Board, and is a member of the parish choir.

George also serves as First Vice President of the Metropolis Council of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago. In this capacity, he has been closely involved in efforts to revise the administrative and ministerial structure of the Metropolis and to support the implementation of the vision of His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael.

Professionally, George is an attorney whose practice focuses on commercial real estate and corporate transactions, with offices in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. He also serves as Chairman of the DePaul University College of Law Dean’s Advisory Council and as a Director of the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois.

George has been recognized by his peers for his work in the legal field by publications including Leading Lawyers and Super Lawyers and has appeared in local media for his knowledge of real estate law and transactions.

He earned bachelor’s degrees in Finance, with honors, and Economics from DePaul University and later completed a joint Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degree at DePaul. In addition to his legal practice, George teaches college courses in Business Law and mentors undergraduate and law students.

Second Vice President 

Dean Avdalas was born and raised in Sacramento, California. He currently serves as Second Vice President of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Council and is completing his first term on the Council. He also serves on the Archdiocesan Council, where he is a member of the Finance Committee and the Youth and Young Adult Ministries Committee.

Dean earned bachelor’s degrees in Communications and Political Science from the University of California, Davis. Before moving to Chicago, he owned a small business, managed various real estate investments, and was involved in numerous political campaigns and organizations. In 2006, he relocated to Chicago to pursue a career in commercial banking. It was also in Chicago that he met his wife, Marina.

Dean’s work in real estate and business lending ultimately shaped the course of his professional career. In 2014, he joined Byline Bank, a publicly traded Chicago-based financial institution specializing in business banking, where he served as a business lender.

Dean has remained actively involved in church and community life throughout his life. During his years at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Sacramento, he served on the Parish Council, coached youth basketball, supported numerous church and cultural organizations, and served as an altar boy for fourteen years.

Beyond the Church, Dean has participated in a wide range of civic, cultural, and philanthropic organizations. While attending UC Davis, he was an active member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He also served with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sacramento and represented Sacramento County as a delegate at the 2004 National Presidential Convention.

In the Chicagoland area, Dean has served as a board member of SomerCor, one of the largest SBA lenders in the Midwest. He is also a member of the Hellenic American Leadership Council and AHEPA, a past board member of Neo Kyma Messinias, and a supporter of numerous philanthropic organizations.

Dean lives in Glenview, Illinois, with his wife, Marina, and their three children, Ambri, Gia, and Teddy. The family are members of Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.

Treasurer

Paul Rentzelos is a lifelong member of the Chicago-area Greek Orthodox community. He was baptized at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, attended St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago during his adolescence, and later became involved at St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church in Niles as a teenager and young adult.

Since 2008, Paul has been a steward of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, where he has served as Parish Council President since 2018. Through his parish leadership, he has remained actively engaged in the life and administration of the Church.

Paul earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology with an emphasis in Construction Management from Illinois State University in 1995. Following graduation, he joined Leopardo Companies, one of the nation’s largest commercial builders, as a construction project manager.

Throughout his career, Paul has worked with a wide range of clients, including Metropolitan Bank Group, Miglin-Beitler Management, Hilton Hotels, Chicago Public Schools, Kinko’s, and the City of Chicago. His experience spans numerous aspects of the building design and construction process.

Today, Paul serves as Vice President of Information Systems and Technology for Leopardo Companies. In this role, he leads the company’s digital transformation efforts and oversees business alignment, strategic planning, implementation, and the security of its information technology systems.

Co-Treasurer

Peter Coules has practiced law since 1986. He graduated with honors from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1983, earning a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He went on to receive his Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law in 1986.

In 1995, Peter co-founded Donatelli & Coules, Ltd. with Mark Donatelli. Through his work with the firm, he has developed extensive experience in corporate law, municipal law, land use, real estate, and matters involving not-for-profit organizations.

In addition to his legal career, Peter has served in numerous business, civic, educational, and philanthropic leadership roles. He is an advisory board member of Busey Bank and previously served on the holding company board of First Community Bank, which operated 15 locations. He also serves on Pelican Bay’s Policies and Relations Committee and on the Board of Directors of the Donald J. Doody Foundation.

Peter is a Director and Co-Founder of Project Infinite Green and was a founding member of the Lemont High School Educational Board. His public service has included serving as an elected Trustee of the Village of Lemont.

A lifelong steward of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Oak Lawn, Peter previously served as President of the Parish Council and continues to serve as a council member.

Peter resides in Lemont, Illinois, with his wife, Denise, and they have two grown daughters.

Secretary

Lainey L. Manos, M.S., works at Qualtrics, where she partners with leading health systems across the country to support patient experience programs and regulatory reporting. Through this work, she uses data-driven insights to help organizations improve patient care and outcomes.

Prior to joining Qualtrics, Lainey served as a Researcher at the Ounce of Prevention Fund, where she contributed to evaluation and research translation efforts that informed early childhood policy and practice.

Lainey earned her master’s degree in Applied Psychology from New York University, with a focus on early childhood education and development.

She was raised in the Greek Orthodox Church at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Elmhurst, where worship, Greek School, youth ministry, and parish life helped shape a faith centered on service and love for Christ.

Today, Lainey is an active parishioner at St. George Greek Orthodox Church and has served with Project HOPE since 2020. Through Project HOPE, a ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, she supports efforts to provide food security and stable housing to individuals and families in need.

Helen Alexander has served the Greek American community and the Greek Orthodox Church for decades through a wide range of leadership, development, and administrative roles. As longtime Director and Administrator of the United Hellenic American Congress, she became widely recognized for her fundraising expertise and worked closely with religious leaders, foreign dignitaries, United States government officials, and prominent public figures.

Her service also extended to the World Council of Hellenes Abroad and Hellenicare, where she helped support the establishment of health care clinics in the former Soviet Union and other countries of the former communist bloc. She also played an important role in securing grant opportunities for International Orthodox Christian Charities and helped organize numerous major events within the Greek American and Orthodox communities.

Among the many initiatives and events with which Helen has been involved are programs connected to the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, CEH, the UHAC Greek Parade and Heritage Week, Clergy-Laity Congresses, and the historic visits of Ecumenical Patriarchs Demetrios and Bartholomew.

Helen later served as Director of Development at the National Hellenic Museum and as Chief of Staff to His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael at the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago. Her work has reflected a longstanding commitment to strengthening Hellenic institutions, supporting the Church, and building relationships across civic, religious, and philanthropic communities.

In recognition of her contributions, Helen received the Hellenic Bar Association’s Lifetime Service Award in 2009 and the Pan Epirotic Federation’s Daughters of Epirus Award in 2013. In 2024, she was honored with the Conalis-Kontou Award at the 39th Annual PSEKA Conference for her longstanding behind-the-scenes contributions to relations among Cyprus, Greece, and the United States.

Born in Vorios Epirus, Helen immigrated to Chicago with her parents, Nick and Fotini, and her brother, Peter, during the Greek Civil War. She continues to support the next generation of Hellenic leaders through mentorship with the Hellenic American Leadership Council.

Helen resides in Northbrook, Illinois, with her husband, Stergios. They are members of Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church.

The Rev. Fr. Chris was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, where he grew up as a member of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. He graduated from Guilford High School in Rockford before attending the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in History. He later attended Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, graduating with honors with a Master of Divinity in 1998.

Following his graduation from Holy Cross, Fr. Chris began serving as the Youth Pastoral Assistant at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Palos Hills, Illinois, a position he held for five years. He was then appointed by His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of blessed memory to serve as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago. Fr. Chris served in this role for the next 15 years, ministering to youth and young adults throughout the Metropolis.

In 2012, Fr. Chris married Presvytera Nicole at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Joliet, Illinois, Presvytera’s home parish. With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos, Fr. Chris was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on November 22, 2014. He continued his ministry as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries while also serving as deacon and assistant to Metropolitan Iakovos.

On December 15, 2018, His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago ordained Fr. Chris to the Holy Priesthood at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Palos Hills, where he was assigned to serve as Associate Pastor. On March 8, 2020, he was assigned to All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Joliet, where he served for more than three years at Presvytera Nicole’s home parish.

On June 1, 2023, His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael appointed Fr. Chris to serve as Proistamenos of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Palos Hills, returning him to the parish where he had previously served in both youth ministry and pastoral leadership.

Fr. Panagiotis Boznos grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and was raised in the Greek Orthodox parishes of St. Nectarios in Palatine and St. Athanasios in Aurora.

He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2008 with a double major in Religious Studies and Classical Greek. He then continued his theological education at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, receiving his Master of Divinity in 2013.

While studying at Holy Cross, Fr. Panagiotis met Presbytera Nichole, who also graduated from Holy Cross in 2013 with a Master of Theological Studies. The two were married, and together they have four children.

Fr. Panagiotis was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on June 29, 2013, and to the Holy Priesthood on July 28, 2013. Following his ordination, he served at Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, Illinois, from 2013 to 2019.

In 2019, Fr. Panagiotis returned to his home parish of St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church in Aurora, Illinois, where he currently serves as priest.

Elizabeth Christofylakis is the owner of DisposAll Waste Services LLC, where she combines a strong academic background with lifelong industry experience to provide customer-focused and environmentally responsible waste solutions. Since purchasing the company in 2016, she has helped grow DisposAll into a trusted waste services provider for major clients throughout the Chicagoland area.

Under Elizabeth’s leadership, DisposAll has become known for reliable service, safety, and responsiveness. The company is certified as both a Women’s Business Enterprise and a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and is the largest woman-owned waste hauler in the Midwest.

Elizabeth remains closely involved in all aspects of the company’s operations and has worked to foster a workplace culture centered on trust, accountability, and strong relationships. DisposAll has also become an active community partner, providing complimentary dumpster services to churches and nonprofit organizations throughout the Midwest.

She works alongside her husband, Peter, who oversees human resources and compliance. Together, they have two sons and spend much of their family time supporting them in youth hockey through the Central States Development League.

Beyond her professional work, Elizabeth is actively involved in the Greek Orthodox community. She serves on the School Board of Koraes Elementary School, is a member of the Parish Council at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, and volunteers with several community organizations.

Fr. Panteleimon Dalianis grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and was raised at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Des Plaines, Illinois. After high school, he attended Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.

In 1998, Fr. Panteleimon enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, graduating in 2002. He began his full-time pastoral ministry in 2003 as Youth Director and Lay Assistant at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Town and Country, Missouri.

Fr. Panteleimon was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in the fall of 2006. In January 2007, he was transferred to Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Palos Hills, Illinois, where he served as Associate Pastor until August 2010.

He was then called by the Metropolis to serve St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, where he ministered for nearly seven and a half years. During his tenure, he helped guide the parish through the devastating fire that occurred in March 2013.

Since November 2017, Fr. Panteleimon has served at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Fr. Panteleimon and Presvytera Konstantina have been married since 2003 and have five children: Eleni, Elias, Blaise, Xenia, and Trifon.

Michael C. Dovellos is a senior executive, entrepreneur, and community leader with experience in global manufacturing, regulatory compliance, product development, and brand strategy. He serves as Principal Owner and Director of Business Development at Royal Brush Manufacturing, Inc., a global consumer packaged goods company specializing in art and craft materials and beauty applicators.

Royal Brush Manufacturing maintains manufacturing operations in the United States and Asia and supports a worldwide distribution network serving major retailers and business partners. Through his leadership at the company, Michael has been involved in business development, product strategy, and the growth of its portfolio of brands.

Michael earned his Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University School of Law.

Since 2014, he has served as Honorary Consul of the Republic of Cyprus in Illinois, supporting the Cypriot community and helping foster cultural, economic, and diplomatic ties between Cyprus and the region.

Michael is also a founding board member of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, a national organization focused on public policy, advocacy, civic engagement, and issues of importance to the Hellenic and Cypriot communities.

A lifelong parishioner of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville, Indiana, Michael serves on both the Parish Council and the Metropolis Council of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago.

Michael resides in Schererville, Indiana, with his wife, Alexandra, and their two children.

Diakonissa Dr. Alexandria Kalina has served as a member of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Council since 2021. For more than five years, she has also served on the Metropolis’ Strengthen Stewardship Now and Forever Committee, where she has helped develop stewardship best practices, supported parishes seeking greater financial sustainability, and worked to increase engagement and vibrancy within parish communities.

As a member of the Metropolis Council, Dr. Alexandria has contributed to initiatives focused on engagement throughout the Metropolis. Most recently, she has chaired a committee dedicated to assessing parish vibrancy and identifying ways to strengthen parish life.

Dr. Alexandria is a member of St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis, where she serves as co-chair of Stewardship, teaches high school students in the Church School program, and leads a quarterly women’s book club.

Raised in New York City and Boston, Dr. Alexandria earned her undergraduate degree from Harvard College and her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at the Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Alexandria currently practices pediatrics in rural Minnesota and serves as an Associate Adjunct Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

She and her husband, Fr. Deacon Dr. Paul, have three children, two of whom attended Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and one granddaughter.

Rev. Protopresbyter Fr. Panagiotis Kostoulas was born in Volos, Greece. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Studies from the School of Theology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and also holds a degree from the Higher Ecclesiastical School of Thessaloniki.

Fr. Panagiotis was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on December 26, 1996, at the Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Nea Ionia, Greece, by His Eminence Christodoulos, then Metropolitan of Demetrias and Almiros and later Archbishop of Athens and All Greece. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on February 10, 2002, at the same church by His Eminence Metropolitan Ignatios of Demetrias and Almiros.

Throughout his ministry, Fr. Panagiotis has served as a parish priest in communities across Greece, Sweden, Italy, and Zambia, providing spiritual guidance and pastoral care to a wide range of Orthodox faithful. In addition to his liturgical responsibilities, he has organized youth programs, catechetical meetings, Bible studies, and other pastoral initiatives.

Fr. Panagiotis has also played an important role in establishing and managing social welfare projects for young people. His ministry has included international collaboration through projects connected with the Swedish organization BILDA and the Association of Orthodox Youth, SYNDESMOS, as well as participation in ecumenical conferences.

In addition to his parish ministry, Fr. Panagiotis served for six years as a theology teacher in public schools throughout Greece.

He was married to the late Paraskevi Giannanidi, with whom he has three children: Giorgos, Stavroula, and Vasileia.

Fr. Panagiotis has served his current parish since March 2024.

Fr. Sotirios Malamis has served as Proistamenos of Ascension of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church in Lincolnshire, Illinois, since September 1, 2014. During his tenure, he provided leadership and spiritual guidance throughout a $9 million, 21-month construction project that culminated in the opening of a new church and community center on June 5, 2019.

In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Fr. Sotirios has taught Byzantine music to students throughout the area for several years, sharing his knowledge of the Church’s musical tradition with younger generations.

Fr. Sotirios attended DePaul University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He later attended Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, graduating with distinction in 2001 with a Master of Divinity. He continued his theological studies at the University of Athens, focusing on Pastoral Theology and Religious Education.

Beyond his parish ministry, Fr. Sotirios serves on both the Metropolis Council of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago and the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Fr. Sotirios and Presvytera Stefanie have three children: Maria, Nikolas, and Aimilianos.

Presvytera Evangelia March grew up in Cyprus, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. While working in the public school system, she developed a particular interest in supporting students with disabilities and helping them succeed academically.

In 1998, Presvytera Evangelia was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, which enabled her to pursue a master’s degree in Special Education at the University of Virginia. She later continued her studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she earned a Ph.D. in Special Education.

Throughout her graduate studies, Presvytera Evangelia received numerous honors and scholarships in recognition of her academic achievement. These included the Makarios Scholarship/Lappas Award, the Hellenic Link-Midwest Scholarship for Excellence, multiple William Chandler Bagley Scholarships, a European Union Center at UIUC Travel Grant, the Gerald H. Read Laureate Scholarship, multiple Educational Grants from the A.G. Leventis Foundation in France, and the Illinois International Graduate Achievement Award.

In 2004, she accompanied her husband, Fr. Nichalas March, to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, where she also studied Byzantine music. In 2009, the family returned to Cyprus, and Presvytera Evangelia resumed her career in public education. While living there, she and Fr. Nichalas welcomed their four children and traveled extensively to Orthodox Christian sites in the Holy Land, Egypt, Greece, Romania, and Turkey.

Presvytera Evangelia has more than 25 years of experience as an educator and has served in a wide variety of teaching and ministry roles. Her experience includes work as a public school teacher, Sunday School director and teacher, adult book-study leader, camp counselor, Greek-language teacher, and Vacation Church School director.

She continues to practice Byzantine music and offers her talents in service to her parish, her family, and the educational and ministry programs she helps organize.

Presvytera Evangelia currently lives in Mason City, Iowa, where she and her husband serve Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church.

Michael Marks is a Chicago native, commercial real estate executive, and active member of the Greek American community. Raised with a strong connection to his Hellenic heritage, his family roots extend to the island of Ikaria on his mother’s side and the Peloponnese on his father’s side.

Michael attended Boston College, where he graduated from the Carroll School of Management. Following graduation, he pursued an interest in the hospitality industry and attended culinary school at Kendall College. He began his professional career in the restaurant industry before transitioning into commercial real estate.

Michael spent nine years with Marcus & Millichap before joining Cushman & Wakefield in 2012. Today, he serves as Executive Director in the firm’s Chicago office, specializing in urban retail and mixed-use investment properties. Over more than two decades in commercial real estate, Michael has been involved in nearly $4 billion in transaction volume and has advised clients on properties throughout Chicago’s major commercial corridors and neighborhood markets.

Beyond his professional career, Michael has remained actively engaged in the Greek American community. He has been involved with the Hellenic American Leadership Council since its early years, participating in advocacy and civic engagement efforts related to issues affecting Greece, Cyprus, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the broader Hellenic community.

Through his professional leadership and community involvement, Michael has sought to maintain and strengthen his connection to his Hellenic heritage while contributing to the civic life of the Greek American community.

Fr. Chris Mihalopoulos was raised in Palos Hills, Illinois, and grew up attending St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church and Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, formerly of Olympia Fields and now located in Homer Glen. He graduated from Amos Alonzo Stagg High School before attending the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he completed a double major in psychology.

From an early age, Fr. Chris felt a strong calling to work with children and to serve the Church. With the encouragement of his spiritual father and other priestly mentors, he pursued theological studies at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, where he graduated in 2013.

On October 6, 2013, Fr. Chris married Presvytera Toni Poteres Mihalopoulos. That same year, he began serving as a lay assistant at St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church.

Fr. Chris was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on March 16, 2014, the Second Sunday of Great Lent and the Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas. On June 1, 2014, he was transferred to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, where he continued his ministry.

He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on September 26, 2014, beginning the next chapter of his pastoral service to the Church.

Fr. Chris and Presvytera Toni have three children: Luke, Theodore “Theo,” and Apostolos Nektarios.

Nancy Murphy is the President of Tasty Breads International, where she has played a central role in growing the company from a small team of eight employees into an organization of more than 300 professionals across three frozen dough manufacturing facilities in Franklin Park, Northbrook, and Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Under Nancy’s leadership, Tasty Breads has become a trusted supplier of proprietary and private-label bread, pizza, and cookie dough for national restaurant chains, with its products reaching millions of consumers across the country. She is particularly passionate about building strong business foundations within her teams and mentoring employees as they develop skills that support both professional growth and long-term stability for their families.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Nancy spent 35 years in South Florida, where she served as Vice President for Miami Subs and Nathan’s Famous before relocating to the Chicago area.

In addition to her professional leadership, Nancy serves on the Metropolis Council of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago. Though of Irish descent, her many years immersed in Greek culture have deeply influenced her life and inspired her commitment to supporting the Church and its ministries.

Nancy and her husband, Gus Bartsocas, share a blended family of six children and eleven grandchildren.

Fr. Douglas Papulis has served the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago since 1986. He began his ministry at Kimissis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church in Racine, Wisconsin, where he served for eleven years.

In 1997, Fr. Douglas was assigned to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in St. Louis, Missouri, where he has continued his pastoral ministry. He has also been appointed Vicar of the Missouri and Southern Illinois parishes of the Metropolis of Chicago.

Fr. Douglas graduated from Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 1983, preparing him for a life of service to the Church and its faithful.

He is married to Presvytera Christina Dedes Papulis, and together they have three sons and three grandsons.

Elias Ploutis is a business owner and longtime member of the Greek Orthodox community in Northwest Indiana. He serves as President of Endecca Painting Co., a Hobart, Indiana-based company providing commercial and residential painting services throughout the region.

Elias is actively involved at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville, Indiana. He currently serves as Second Vice President of the Parish Council, continuing his involvement in the leadership and administration of the Cathedral community.

His commitment to the Church and Greek Orthodox community also extends to education and philanthropy. Elias serves on the Board of Directors of the Andreas Proimos Scholarship Fund, which supports the educational goals of young Greek Orthodox Christians. He also serves as the scholarship fund’s parish liaison for Saints Constantine and Helen, helping connect students and families within the Cathedral community to scholarship opportunities.

Through his professional work and continued service to his parish and community, Elias has maintained a longstanding commitment to supporting Greek Orthodox institutions and the next generation of young people within the Church.

Fr. Stamatios G. Sfikas was born on May 12, 1987, to Stylianos and Anastasia Sfikas. He and his younger brother, George, were raised at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, where Fr. Stamatios was deeply involved in parish life from a young age. He completed 12 years of study at the Solon Greek School and also participated in the parish’s youth groups, Sunday School program, altar service, and athletic organizations.

Fr. Stamatios attended Stephen T. Mather High School before enrolling at the University of Illinois Chicago, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2009. He then continued his studies at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, receiving his Master of Divinity in May 2012.

While studying in Boston, Fr. Stamatios taught Greek School at the Annunciation Cathedral of New England and St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Lexington. He also served as Director of the Greek School at Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Somerville, Massachusetts. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he served as Ecclesiarch of the campus chapel and as President of his graduating class.

In August 2012, Fr. Stamatios was assigned to serve as Pastoral Assistant to Fr. John Kalomas at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago. He was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on February 24, 2013, at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago and to the Holy Priesthood on September 15, 2013, at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church. Both ordinations were performed by His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago.

Fr. Stamatios served at St. Andrew from August 2012 through December 31, 2014. On January 1, 2015, His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos appointed him Dean of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Chicago, a position he held through December 31, 2025. During his tenure at the Cathedral, Fr. Stamatios was elevated to the rank of Economos of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on March 25, 2022, by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.

On January 1, 2026, His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago assigned Fr. Stamatios to serve as Proistamenos of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Fr. Stamatios married Presbytera Katerina, daughter of Fr. Apostolos and Presbytera Sophia Georgiafentis, in 2012 at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago. They have three daughters: Anastasia, Sophia, and Styliani.

John Stojka grew up in Chicago and is a member of Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church in Westchester, Illinois. He comes from a family with deep roots in the Greek Orthodox community. His grandfather, also named John Stojka, helped build St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Elmhurst during its early years and later served as Parish Council President.

John graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and began his professional career in the aerospace industry. Today, he works in artificial intelligence at Nexus3, where he helps support the development of the next generation of software companies.

John has long been passionate about ministry and evangelism, particularly helping young people come to know Christ and engage more deeply with the Gospel. For seven years, he served as a volunteer Young Life leader at New Trier High School, where he led Bible studies, mentored students, and helped organize camp trips and other faith-based activities.

Through this work, John developed a strong commitment to sharing the Christian faith with those outside the Church and helping others take meaningful steps toward a life in Christ.

As a board member, John hopes to help more young adults form meaningful connections to the Greek Orthodox Church, grow in their faith, and become active participants in the life of the Church.

Dr. Dean G. Tortorelis is a board-certified urologist and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He currently serves as a partner and managing board member of Minnesota Urology, one of the region’s leading urology practices. In addition to his clinical and administrative responsibilities, he serves as Chief of Surgery at North Memorial Health and as a board member of the Brooklyn Park Allina Surgery Center.

With decades of experience in private practice, Dr. Tortorelis has built a career centered on patient care, medical leadership, and the advancement of urologic health. His professional work combines clinical practice with significant administrative and organizational responsibilities.

Beyond his medical career, Dr. Tortorelis has maintained a strong commitment to the Greek Orthodox Church. He is an active member of both St. Mary’s and St. George Greek Orthodox Churches, where he has served in numerous leadership and ministry roles, including Parish Council Vice President, Church School teacher, and GOYA basketball coach. He has also contributed to the planning and support of Church School activities and youth programs.

Dr. Tortorelis has made several spiritual pilgrimages to important Orthodox Christian sites, including Mount Athos, Constantinople, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. During his travels, he has visited numerous monasteries and has offered both spiritual support and medical guidance to monastic communities.

Drawing upon both his faith and medical expertise, Dr. Tortorelis has also provided guidance to clergy and laypeople on men’s health and personal wellness. He frequently speaks on these topics within his parish communities and throughout the broader Orthodox Christian community across the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and beyond.

Through his professional work and longstanding service to the Church, Dr. Tortorelis continues to bring together his commitments to medicine, leadership, faith, and community.

Joan Tolios Berg is a partner with Schoenberg Finkel Newman & Rosenberg LLC, where she is the Transaction Department Chair. Her practice is focused upon commercial real estate, lending and corporate matters. She and her family are stewards of Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church in Westchester, Illinois, where she remains active with the choir. Joan is a member of the peer-reviewed network, Leading Lawyers, and is actively involved with the boards of directors of other philanthropic organizations.

Georgia Loukas Demeros is a legal advisor to the Metropolis Council. She is a partner at the law firm of Thompson Coburn LLP. Georgia advises multigenerational families on wealth transfer and business succession planning and serves as personal general counsel to closely held businesses, business leaders and other individuals. She is the First Vice-President of the Hellenic Bar Association, a founding member of Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) and serves as a board member for other nonprofit organizations. Georgia holds a BBA in Accounting from Loyola University of Chicago, a JD and LLM in Taxation from Chicago-Kent College of Law and is a certified public accountant. Georgia and her family are stewards at Holy Taxiarhai and Saint Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church and St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church.

Harry J. Secaras serves as legal counsel to the Metropolis and the Metropolis Council. He is a Shareholder of the law firm Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. concentrating in traditional labor and employment law. Mr. Secaras has more than 30 years’ experience advising, counseling and representing employers in collective bargaining, arbitration and personnel matters and in claims brought before federal and state agencies and in federal and state courts. He is a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and has been recognized as an Illinois Super Lawyer for more than 10 years. He is a Past President of the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois and has served on the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Bar Association Foundation. He has served on the Parish Councils of the Three Hierarchs Church in Champaign, Illinois and the St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church is Palatine, Illinois. He holds BA, MBA and JD degrees from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana where he was a founding member of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Fellowship. He, his wife Maria, and their three children reside in Wilmette, Illinois and are stewards of St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago.

Gus Harris is a Resident Auditor (RA) for the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) managing an office of 32 personnel responsible for auditing a major defense company located in St. Louis, MO. Gus’ professional goals include taking on new tasks that will help him grow personally and professional in mentoring and managing people and inspiring others to take on new challenges no matter how difficult to help become better auditors and leaders. Gus is a licensed CPA in Missouri and has over 35 years of auditing of performing contract audits in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS). Gus was also the Treasurer for the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Town and Country, MO and has experience in preparing church financial statements and federal/state payroll taxes, W2s and 941s using Quick Books Pro. Gus’ 35 years at DCAA include holding various roles such as auditor, technical specialist – financial capability/pensions, supervisory auditor, Sr Financial Liaison Assistant, Special Assistant and RA. Gus’ achievements and experiences including auditing companies from mom and pops to Fortune 500s across the US that include Boeing, General Dynamics, KBR, McDermott Int, Magellan Health, Cerberus Inv, Ball Aerospace, Enron, Afghan National Trust Fund, etc. saving the taxpayer money and supporting the warfighter. Gus holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Missouri – St. Louis and he also attended the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki for the Greek language. In his spare time Gus enjoys going to church, reading history, particularly about the church, the lives of the saints, playing golf and swimming.

Marc Kotsonas is Partner at Mahoney and leads the firm’s Not-for-Profit Group. His primary emphasis is managing audits of real estate and not-for-profit organizations. He has over 15 years of experience working with clients in the low income, multi-family real estate, and not-for-profit industries. Marc is the editor of Mahoney’s monthly not-for-profit e-newsletter which covers trends and issues facing the industry. He has written articles published on the AICPA Insights Blog and in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Marc has also volunteered for the AICPA’s Not-for-Profit Resource Group. Marc graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Business of Administration degree with a major in Accountancy and Spanish and with a minor in General Business.

Chancellor
His Grace Bishop Dionysios Anagnostopoulos (born Stavros) was born in Sparta, Greece, and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1986. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from Northeastern University and worked for several years in leadership roles in the information technology field before answering his calling to the priesthood.
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Dean Avdalas was born and raised in Sacramento, California and finishing his first term on the Metropolis Council serving as the First Vice President. In addition to serving on the Metropolis Council, he also is on the Archdiocesan Council and serves on the Finance Committee and Youth & Young Adult Ministries Committees. 

He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Political Science from the University of California, Davis. Prior to moving to Chicago, he was a small business owner, managed various real estate investments and was involved with numerous political campaigns and organizations. In 2006, he moved to Chicago to pursue a new career opportunity in commercial banking. Most importantly, that is where he met his wife, Marina. Dean became involved with real estate and business lending which ultimately shaped his career. In 2014, he accepted a new challenge and was hired as a business lender at Byline Bank, a publicly traded Chicago-based bank specializing in business banking. 

During his years at Annunciation in Sacramento, Dean served on the Parish Council, coached youth basketball, supported various church and cultural organizations and served as an altar boy for fourteen years. In addition to Greek American organizations, Dean was an active member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at UC Davis, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Sacramento and represented Sacramento County as a Delegate at the 2004 National Presidential Convention. In Chicagoland, Dean is a board member for SomerCor, one of the largest SBA lenders in the Midwest. He’s a proud member of the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), AH EPA, a past board member of Neo Kyma Messinias and a strong supporter of various philanthropic organizations. He lives in Glenview, Illinois with his wife Marina and their three children: Ambri, Gia and Teddy. They are members of Saints Peter & Paul.

Owen Field is a retired attorney. During his career with the State of Illinois, he served as an Assistant Attorney General representing public welfare agencies in complex state and federal litigation, General Counsel of the Department of Mental Health and Development Disabilities, and General Counsel of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HCFS), focusing in both agencies on Medicaid policy. He has taught film appreciation classes through the Chicago City Colleges for the past eleven years.

Owen, raised in the Baptist church, came to the Orthodox faith and was chrismated in 1998. He and his spouse of 39 years, Myra Karegianes, have been stewards at Saint George (Chicago) since 2014. They have co-chaired the Stewardship Committee there since then. He is currently vice president of the Parish Council, having previously served as recording secretary. Owen also is currently a member of the Metropolis Council. He is on the Metropolis’ Strengthen Stewardship Now & Forever team that developed the Stewardship component of the Metropolis Strategic Plan and that hosts monthly Metropolis-wide stewardship meetings. Prior to being stewards at Saint George, Owen and Myra were stewards at Saint Basil (Chicago). Owen served on the Parish Council, was president (2002-05) and vice president (2006-09), and on the Stewardship Committee (2003-11). Owen also served on the interim Parish Council at Holy Trinity (Schiller Park) and as chair of the Stewardship Committee in 2019-21.

Owen and Myra have two daughters and three granddaughters.

Fr. Dimitri Tobias is a Member of the IT/Operations Committee of the Metropolis Council. He is a priest of the Metropolis of Chicago for 7 years, serving the community of SS. Peter & Paul in Glenview, IL as an Associate Pastor; and the communities Holy Trinity in Sioux City, IA; and St. Basil in Chicago, IL as a Proistamenos. Prior to this, he has served in the Department of Internet Ministries for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, the Department of Registry for the Metropolis of Chicago, and the Pastoral Lay Assistant of St. Nectarios in Palatine, IL. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies from Hellenic College and a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.