NEW YORK – Dr. Spiros Spireas, Chairman and CEO of Sigmapharm Laboratories, was selected to serve as a Grand Marshal in the Greek Independence Parade in New York City to be held on April 10, representing the Greek-American business community.
Spireas’ selection was announced March 17 at the Stathakion Center in Astoria, and was warmly supported.
The Parade will take place on Manhattan’s 5th Avenue with New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Congressman John Sarbanes (MD), and National Guardsman Alex Skarlatos, who was heroic in thwarting a terrorist attack on a Paris-bound train last year, also to serve as grand marshals.
Petros Galatoulas, president of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, stated that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has also been invited to participate as a grand marshal, but had not yet decided whether he would accept. He also pointed out that the selection of the grand marshals is based on the qualities of excellence, vision, leadership skills, generosity, and heroism, reflected in the selected individuals.
“There has been an increase in interest this year, not only from the Greek-American community, but from Greece as well, because everyone wants to be a part of the greatest celebration of Hellenism. The events planned before and after the Parade, as well as the conference regarding the refugee crisis, enhance the attraction,” Galatoulas said.
Referring to Dr. Spireas, Galatoulas noted that “he is not simply a successful businessman, but also a leader of the Community.”
As TNH has reported, Dr. Spireas founded his own pharmaceutical company in 2005, an emerging company with an increasing number of FDA approvals for the manufacture of generic pharmaceutical products.
He has served as President of the Parish Council of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Trenton, NJ, and through his support and generosity, the Foundation has been laid for the first Greek school in New Jersey.
Dr. Spireas is President of the Hellenic American Institute Foundation and has received awards and recognition from both the Greek-American community and the Greek Orthodox Church.