Meet the Team
Would you like to meet the folks who work here?
National Project Chairman
George Karatzia, PSG
732-610-6622
George Karatzia has been married to his wife Anita for 48 years. They have been blessed with four children and have nine beautiful grandchildren.
George has been self employed for 35 years in retail shops in NYC
George is a member of the ORDER of AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association) It was founded in 1922. It's purpose was to help Americanize the Greeks in America. In 1945 they came to the national forefront by raising more money then any organization in war bonds. In 1946 President Harry Truman was so taken by the Order of AHEPA that he became a member in the White House.
He is a member of Ahepa Chapter 517 for 25 years and a three term President.
Joined the District 5 Lodge(New Jersey and Delaware as Warden and proudly served for 5 years and reached the position of District Governor. He initiated an Out Reach Program for Ahepans who lost their employment. In 2005 served on the Fifth District Cancer Foundation for 6 years.
George served on the Kimisis Tis Theotokou, Greek Orthodox Parish Council for 25 years (1980-2005) and served as Parish President for 3 terms. Youth Advisor for 18 years coached the girls volleyball team for 16 years. He chaired five church festivals, served on the building and interior committees.
He currently is Commander for the Disabled American Veterans Chapter#74 and also chairing a suicide preventive Committee on behalf of the Disable American Veterans of New Jersey. This is part of the New Jersey Governor's Suicide Prevention Program.
In representing AHEPA in 2016 laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery in Virginia.
As was an Infantry soldier in Vietnam George(1966-1967) had participated in many combat battles. When George returned home he struggled with PTSD. This was a difficult and dark time in his life. He felt that nothing really prepares you for war and nothing really prepares you when you come home. It seems you bring back the war in your mind. Like a horror movie it plays in your mind over and over and over. With 22 a day veterans committing suicide who struggle with PTSD George felt that he needed to get pro active and do his part to help be apart of the solution.
In 2016 George felt that AHEPA can do it's part to help our veterans who struggled with PTSD. At the national convention in Las Vegas, George was successful to get the delegates to unanimously vote for the creation of the AHEPA Service Dogs For Warriors Program.
As the national chairman for the AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors Program he is proud to report that his committee has raised over $800,000 to date.
His goal with the Grace of God is to keep raising Money until there is zero a day in suicides.
Vice Chairman
Christopher "Chris" Diamantoukos PSG
Chris was first introduced to AHEPA when he joined the Jamaica, NY Chapter of the Sons of Pericles, or "Y-PI" as they called themselves back then.
He moved to South Jersey in 1986 with his wife Eleftheria (Terri) where they raised their two children, Maria and Andrew. Professionally he earned the designations of Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary and recently retired in 2016.
He is a member of the Saint Thomas Community in Cherry Hill, served two years as its Parish Council of which he is still a member, and serves as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the St. Thomas Orthodox Senior Citizen Home, Inc.
Chris served as President and Secretary of Camden Chapter No. 69 before joining the 5th District Lodge. He became its District Governor and lead the 5th District, and the AHEPA Domain, in supplying relief boxes in response to the 2007 wildfires in Greece.
In 2016 he was elected Supreme Governor of Region 3 covering Delaware, New Jersey, and New York.
Treasurer
Grant Hess
I graduated magna cum laude from Towson University with a degree in Business Administration (Finance). Following graduation, I began my career with Wells Fargo Bank in the Tax Reporting Division. After 3+ years, our family relocated to NJ and I accepted a Relationship Management position with Merrill Lynch within a newly formed Structured Lending group. I have now been with Merrill Lynch/Bank of America for almost 16 years. Most of which have been spent in securities based lending as a Senior Credit Underwriter and Vice President. Additionally, I currently hold my Series 7 and 66 securities licenses.
Thank you for the opportunity to help out an organization with such an important mission. It will truly be an honor.
National Project Secretary
Karen Marousis PDG
Trustee
Hailing from the Jersey Shore, Karen is a proud Greek American who has been a long-standing member of the AHEPA Family. As a young adult, Karen became a member of the AHEPA Family as a founding member of the Maids of Athena local "Hera" Chapter in 1974.
As the years progressed, Karen dedicated herself to her career, children, grandchildren and her AHEPA Family journey. She was initiated into the Daughters of Penelope Aphrodite Chapter 374, where she is currently serving as chapter president and was named Chapter Penelope of the Year in 2001.
Her commitment to the mission of serving has afforded Karen many opportunities to support those in need. She has served on the Daughters of Penelope District 5 Lodge (2005-2012) and held the position of District Governor for two terms.
She has chaired and co-chaired various philanthropic endeavors such as a "Go Fund Me" in support of a District 5 brother in need of a kidney transplant. Karen created the 5th District Emergency Fund to assist members who have come into hard times or misfortune. Karen spearheaded many other events and functions that included a "Meet & Greet" of several Greek American authors which included Nicholas Gage author of "Eleni".
In addition, she has supported:
Karen is proud of her involvement with the AHEPA Family, but most dear to her heart is the AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors program. Her commitment to this program began while following up on the AHEPA National Convention in 2016.The 5th District Cancer Foundation, New Jersey
Penelope House, Alabama
Penelope's Place, Massachusetts
Dottie's House, New Jersey
HOPE INC. New Jersey
The Ashleigh Lauren Children's Cancer Foundation, New Jersey
USA Hometown Hero's, New Jersey
Families of Fallen Soldiers, USA- East Coast Chapter
Karen learned of the AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors program and the great support the service dogs were providing United State Military Veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Being emotionally drawn to this cause and armed with the program knowledge, Karen enlisted the help of her local AHEPA Family as they set out to raise the necessary funds to purchase a service dog for a veteran in need.
Through her leadership and the support of her local chapter a successful fundraiser was held, "A Night of Comedy for Veterans". With an attendance of 350 people, $15,000 was proudly raised, permitting her local Daughters of Penelope Aphrodite Chapter 374 to be the very first Daughters of Penelope chapter to purchase a service dog. "Penelope" is just not a worthy canine; she is now assisting an admirable veteran manage their PTSD.
Karen is honored to be a Board of Trustee for the AHEPA Family Service Dogs for Warriors, which affords her the opportunity to continue to assist those who dedicated their lives and sacrificed their tomorrows for our todays'
Board of Trustee Member
Dimitri Dimitriades
Trustee
Dimitri is President at Academy Furniture & Supplies and Director at GMJ Strategy both NJ companies serving the Education & Retail Industries. Dimitri has been active with the Order of Ahepa for over 10 years in Wyckoff & Holmdel, NJ. Married to Carol for 28 years with a daughter Kristen (26) a teacher, and son Nicholas (24) an engineer. Originally from Astoria, NY, he has lived in Emerson, NJ for 26 years and has recently moved to Eatontown, NJ.
Web-Master
Wynn Storton, PSG
Trustee
Storton Creative
Wynn offers his skills to the entire AHEPA family. He proudly sponsors and maintains the Veterans Service Dog website. Hosts many AHEPA Chapter and District websites.
Wynn's AHEPA tenure includes 2 terms, as District 20 Governor and he received the National Governor of the Year award, both years served. Served as Supreme Governor Region 8.
Although retired in Palm Desert, Ca Wynn stays active as President of Chapter #528 and serves on several national committees, including the Veteran Affairs National Committee.
Board of Trustee Member
Charles E. Mackenzie DG
Trustee
Charles has been a member of the Order of AHEPA since March, 1983. As a member of Lehigh Chapter 60 in Allentown, Pa. he served as Chapter President for 12 years. Since 2009 he has been President of AHEPA 60 Apartments in Allentown and serving as a Director of the AHEPA National Housing Corporation (ANHC) and AHEPA Management Co (AMC). He served on the Executive Committee of ANHC for 6 years. Charles served as Power District #4 Pennsylvania Marshal for 3 years and District Governor for the last 2 years. Received the AHEPAN of the Year Award in 2017 for Power District #4. He previously served as South Whitehall Township Commissioner for 8-1/2 years and as President for 2 of those years. An accomplished Financial Advisor and Portfolio Manager with a national brokerage firm, Charles has over 47 years of business and financial experience..
