Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, President

His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian was elected Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) in May 1990. He was subsequently elevated to the rank of bishop by His Holiness Vasken I, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. In October 1992, His Holiness bestowed the rank of archbishop.

In the course of his academic pursuits, Abp. Barsamian has conducted research and taught in the United States, Jerusalem, Italy, England, Germany and Armenia. Abp. Barsamian is a leader in a number of religious and ecumenical organizations, including the National Council of Churches, the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations, Religious in American Life, and the American Bible Society.

Mr. Kevork Hovnanian

Mr. Kevork Hovnanian was a founder of FAR after the 1988 earthquake and served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for 17 years. Under his leadership, FAR dispatched more than $260 million worth of humanitarian and technical assistance for the recovery and development of Armenia.

Mr. Hovnanian was a noted philanthropist and a prominent member of the Diaspora. Among his many contributions to the Armenian community, including building St. Stepanos Church in Elberon, NJ, Mr. Hovnanian donated a $1.5 million Manhattan townhouse to the Mission of Armenia to the United Nations. In May 2001, His Excellency Robert Kocharian, President of Armenia, awarded the St. Mesrob Mashtots Medal to Mr. Hovnanian in recognition of his services to Armenia. Mr. Hovnanian immigrated to the United States from Iraq in 1959 and founded a fledgling home building company with a $20,000 loan. Today, his company, "Hovnanian Enterprises," is one of America's largest homebuilders, with a presence in 14 states.

Mr. Randy Sapah-Gulian, Chairman

Mr. Randy Sapah-Gulian is the founder and current head of Allegis RPO, part of the Allegis Group, a $6 Billion global recruitiment firm, He has 25 years of global recruitment outsourcing and executive search experience across a broad range of industries. Prior to his entry into the executive search field, he worked in the publishing industry. Mr. Sapah-Gulian holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Rutgers College and has been a frequent guest on various business media programs as well as industry conferences.

Mr. Sapah-Gulian is the current Chairman of FAR. He has been very active in the Armenian community dating back to 1969 with the AGBU’s Antranig Dance Ensemble. His involvement was first as a performer and then as the Artistic Director and Choreographer, a role he maintained until 1986. Mr. Sapah-Gulian has also studied in Armenia as a guest of the School of Dance Choreography and the Armenian State Dance Ensemble. He was subsequently elected to the Central Committee of America, the AGBU's U.S. Board of Directors. He is a board member of the Ararat Conference center and is active in his local parish as well as the Diocese.

Mr. Carl J. Bazarian, Vice Chairman

Mr. Carl J. Bazarian's dedication to the Armenian community is evident through his involvement with various organizations and charities, including the Armenian Assembly of America. He is the recipient of the 1996 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Mr. Bazarian is President, Chief Executive Officer, and founding partner of Bazarian International Financial Associates, LLC, an international investment banking firm providing clients with extensive financial services. Prior to launching his current firm, he founded East-West Financial Services; worked in export finance and economic development at the U.S. Export-Import Bank, the Federal Reserve Board and the Foreign Credit Insurance Association; and served as a financial advisor to the U.S. Treasury. He was also a Presidential appointee to direct the Middle Eastern and African insurance programs at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Mr. Bazarian earned his M.A. in International Studies from the American University School of International Studies.

Ms. Annette Choolfaian, Vice Chair

Ms. Annette Choolfaian has developed and implemented medical group practices, home health agencies, faculty practices, hospital and physician malpractice insurance programs, and new patient care systems and models. She has extensive experience in the operation of patient ambulatory care and home health programs for patient care facilities. Ms. Choolfaian is an advisor to the Ministry of Health in the Czech Republic and other Eastern European countries. She is currently a Professor and the Director of the Health Management and Policy program at the Graduate School for Health Sciences of New York Medical College. Ms. Choolfaian is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia University School of Public Health.

Ms. Choolfaian received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Bridgeport, her Master's degree in Public Administration from New York University, and her Ph.D. from the Columbia University School of Public Health.

Dr. Edgar M. Housepian, Vice Chairman

Dr. Edgar M. Housepian, a professor emeritus of clinical neurological surgery at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, earned his Bachelor's degree in 1949 and graduated cum laude from Columbia College. He acquired his Doctor of Medicine degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1953, and received certification from the American Board of Neurological Surgery in November 1961. He is a member of more than 40 professional societies and has held positions on numerous university, hospital and departmental committees. Dr. Housepian has participated in various study groups, and received research grants and prestigious honors for his outstanding work in his field. He has authored numerous articles and books on medical research and methods in neurological studies. Dr. Housepian is also Chairman of FAR's Medical Committee.

Mr. Nishan Atinizian

Mr. Nishan Atinizian is a businessman from Boston with a deep commitment to the Armenian Church and Armenia. He is a Centennial benefactor of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) and has been awarded the St. Gregory Medal for his dedication and service. Mr. Atinizian travels frequently to Armenia and contributes to its development. After seven years of arduous work and negotiation, he and a group of investors opened the Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan in 2004.

Mr. Armen A. Avanessians

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian

Born in Siirt, Turkey in 1951, Archbishop Vicken Aykazian completed theological studies at the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem and was ordained a deacon in 1968 and later a celibate priest in 1971. He was ordained a bishop in 1992 by His Holiness Vasken I, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, at Holy Echmiadzin in Armenia. In addition to his current responsibilities as legate and ecumenical officer for the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, Archbishop Aykazian's diverse professional achievements include Country Director for the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) in their Yerevan, Armenia office (1997-1999); Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Switzerland (1992-1996); pastor of the Armenian Church of Switzerland (1980-1992), during which time he established and organized new church communities in Zurich, Bern, Kreazlingen and Lugano, Switzerland; traveling priest to the Armenian churches in Istanbul and personal assistant to Archbishop Shnork Kaloustyan at the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople (1974-75); and instructor at the seminary of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem (1972-74). Archbishop Aykazian has a keen interest in the ecumenical movement having participated in the World Council of Churches (WCC) since 1981 through the Mission and Evangelism Unit II (1991-99), the Orthodox Task Force (1982-92), and as a member of the WCC Central Committee, representing the Catholicate of All Armenians (1985-91). On November 10, 2005, Archbishop Aykazian was unanimously elected as president-elect of the National Council of Churches (NCC) during the ecumenical organization's three-day General Assembly in Hunt Valley, MD. In February 2006, Archbishop Aykazian participated at the General Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and was elected as a member of the Executive Committee of the WCC Central Committee. Archbishop Aykazian earned a doctorate degree in history from the Armenian Academy of Sciences' Department of History in 1999. He also completed doctorate course requirements at Fribourg Catholic University in Switzerland for a second doctorate degree in Theology and is continuing work on his doctoral dissertation at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He received a bachelor of divinity degree from Kings College in London, England, studied pastoral theology at St. Augustine 's College in Canterbury, England, and attended the Armenian Theological Seminary in Jerusalem and the Holy Cross Armenian Seminary in Istanbul, Turkey. Archbishop Aykazian is fluent in English, Armenian, French and Turkish.

Ms. Bonnie A. Barsamian

Mrs. Marta Batmasyan

Marta Batmasian, who was the valedictorian of Esayan High School, received her bachelor's degree in English and comparative literature. She attended Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey (a branch of Columbia University) during which she received the Gulbenkain Academic Achievement Award (Lisbon, Portugal) and the Hagopian Scholarship Award for highest academic achievement for two years. She then continued her studies at Leiden University in Holland , and Emerson College in Boston, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She completed joint master's and doctoral programs at Brandeis University (where she earned its High Scholastic Award) and received an MBA from Barry University. After graduating from Brandeis University , Marta became superintendent of the Sahag Mesrob Armenian School in Watertown , Massachusetts, and was a full-time professor at the University of Massachusetts for eight years. She also owned and operated Mar-Tel Travel, Insurance, and Real Estate in Cambridge, Massachusetts, prior to her move to Florida. "Jim and Marta" is a well-known phrase in South Florida philanthropy. Like their company, Jim and Marta Batmasian have become a cornerstone of the community. Since settling in Boca Raton 25 years ago, the Batmasians have actively supported most, if not all, of the many organizations that make their community a great place in which to live, work, and play. Knowing that corporate investment and re-investment in an area's cultural, educational, nonprofit, government, and recreational components produces a healthy, thriving business environment along with the well-being of its citizens, the Batmasians underwrite and lend unwavering backing to a wide variety of local causes. To proactively increase her understanding of the unique social and economic challenges of the nonprofit universe and enhance her abilities to effectively support area charities, Marta recently completed Harvard Business School's flagship executive program: Governing for Nonprofit Excellence (GNE): Critical Issues for Board Leadership. " Jim and Marta" have served on more than 30 boards and committees, and actively provided financial support and leadership to such educational institutions and organizations as the Children's Science Explorium (that was founded, named, funded, and chaired by Marta), Children's Museum of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University, Nova Southeastern University/School of Business (Marta is on its Board of Governors), Lynn University/Excalibur Club, the League for Educational Awareness of the Holocaust (LEAH), Boca Raton Literary Society, KIND (Kids in New Directions), Together Against Gangs (TAG), and the St. Paul PTA. Marta and Jim have also played a significant leadership role in championing fundraising and community support of the new Centre for the Arts at Mizner Park, the Boca Pops, the South Florida Symphony, Miami City Ballet, the Florida Symphonic Pops, the Caldwell Theater, the Palm Beach County Cultural Council (Marta is currently vice chairman), the Boca Raton Historical Society, Boca Raton Community Hospital, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Center for Family Services, WMCA, the Junior League of Boca Raton, and the Florida Tri-County Humane Society. Other organizations they have helped include the Florence Fuller Child Development Centers, the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, the Humanitarian Society, Migrant Workers, and Take Charge! Cure Parkinson's, as well as the Armenian Assembly of America. Both Jim and Marta have been nominees for and the recipients of numerous business, community, and charitable organization awards as well as included in the Marquis of Who's Who publications around the world. Most recently, Marta was honored as the "Volunteer Woman of the Year" by the Junior League of Boca Raton and "Bridge Builder of the Year" for LEAH, the League for Educational Awareness of the Holocaust.

Ararat Ph. Acet

Dr. Aram V. Chobanian

Dr. Aram V. Chobanian has previously served as President of Boston University, Dean of the School of Medicine , and Provost of the Boston University Medical Campus. He founded the Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute at the Boston University School of Medicine in 1973, and oversaw its rapid development into a center for pioneering research into the biological and clinical aspects of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Chobanian played a leading role in the merger of Boston City Hospital with Boston University Medical Center Hospital to create Boston Medical Center . His leadership was also instrumental in the development of the BioSquare Research Park and in Boston University Medical Center 's receiving a $128 million federal grant to build a national biocontainment laboratory. Boston University recently awarded him with an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.

Dr. Chobanian has received numerous awards for his basic and clinical research on cardiovascular diseases. These include the First Lifetime Achievement Award in Hypertension of the American Heart Association, the Modern Medicine Award, the Award of Merit of the American Heart Association, the Abbott Award of the American Society of Hypertension and the Freis Award of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program. He recently chaired the Seventh Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. He has published more than 250 papers and two books, and currently chairs the Publications Committee of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Dr. Chobanian has been involved in several programs to improve health care in Armenia. These have included the training of Armenian physicians, nurses, and other health professionals in emergency medicine, trauma care, and health care management; development of medical residency and post-graduate educational programs in Armenia; establishment of a successful medical student elective program for US medical students to spend one to two months in Armenian hospitals and clinics; and the provision of much-needed medical equipment, supplies, and medications to Armenia. He has been elected as a Foreign Member of the Armenian National Academy of Science. He is the recipient of the Gold Medal from the Yerevan Medical University. Catholicos Aram I recently bestowed the St. Mesrob-Mashtots Medal on Dr. Chobanian.

Mr. Edward S. Mardigian

Patrick Sarkissian

Mr. Dennis R. Tarzian, Assistant Treasurer

Mr. Dennis R. Tarzian is a co-founder of National Registered Agents, Inc. (NRAI) where he currently serves as Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer. NRAI is one of the fastest growing legal services firms of its kind serving 70,000 customers across the US and in Europe. NRAI provides a range of compliance, statutory representation, and corporate services supported by its widely recognized web based technology tools. Formerly, Mr. Tarzian served in a number of senior executive positions both in the US and in Latin America. At Paramount Communications, he was the Chief Operating Officer of the Business Information Group. Earlier in his career, he served as Vice President, Corporate Development and Assistant Treasurer at the Revlon Corporation. He has also served as President and CEO of an educational software provider for a private equity firm, which helped students raise their basic skills proficiency. Mr. Tarzian has led or played a key role in over thirty mergers and acquisitions in the course of his career. He has also served on the boards of two technology and service firms and the board of an international mutual fund. Mr. Tarzian has been active in the Armenian community since his youth. He has served his local parish, St. Leon in a number of capacities, including as Chairman of the Parish Council and currently as Diocesan delegate. He has been active in a variety of fundraising efforts, including establishing the Marion and Harry Tarzian youth achievement award at the Holy Martyrs parish, supporting the new community center for youth at St. Leon, and in supporting research for retinal diseases at the Schepens Retina Associates in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Tarzian holds a BS in Systems Engineering and Computer Science from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn and a MBA in Finance and Marketing from the Columbia Business School.

Mr. Oscar Tatosian

Oscar Tatosian presently serves as Chairman of the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of Armenian Church (Eastern), having served on the Diocesan Council for over twelve years. He also sits on the boards of the Fund for Armenian Relief, the Armenian Church Endowment Fund, and the Ararat Center-each a major undertaking of the Armenian Church of America. He is a native of Chicago, and a life-long member of St. James Armenian Church of Evanston, Illinois.

Oscar’s current community activities include sitting on the guild board of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and leadership on Design for Dignity. Prior affiliations include Art Institute of Chicago (Auxiliary Board), Chicago Council on Foreign Relations (junior board), Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (junior board), English Speaking Union (junior board), and the Evanston Chamber of Commerce(board member). His civic activities include the City Club of Chicago, support for various candidates and campaigns, and membership in the Union League Club of Chicago.

Oscar is the president of Oscar Isberian Rugs, Inc., importer and retailer of oriental carpets, with manufacturing relationships in the Near and Middle East.

Born in Chicago, Oscar received a Bachelor in Business Administration at Texas Christian University, where he was president of the Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

Mr. Greg Toufayan

Ms. Pontish Yeramyan, Assistant Secretary

Pontish Yeramyan founded Gap International in 1978, with a commitment to impacting the corporate world by having people work together and break through to new levels of performance. As founder and CEO, she drives the firm's growth and expansion. She personally coaches CEOs of FORTUNE and Global 500 companies and their organizations to produce extraordinary results. Ms. Yeramyan and the members of the firm have worked with thousands of executives, significantly and measurably improving their business and organizational performance. She is also the principal designer of the new technology and methods developed by the firm. Much of this unique methodology is translated into courses, programs and consulting initiatives that underlie the transformation taking place in Gap International's client companies. Before starting her company, Ms. Yeramyan served as Academic Director of Temple University's Intensive English Language Program. She designed cross-cultural programs for US executives relocating overseas. She also co-designed and led programs for family-held corporations for the Wharton School of Business Applied Research Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Yeramyan is fluent in Armenian, Turkish, French and English and is conversational in Spanish and Russian. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and linguistics from Barnard College and an master's degree in linguistics from Michigan State University. A member of the Committee of 200, the professional organization of entrepreneurial businesswomen, and chosen as one of Pennsylvania 's "Best 50 Women in Business" in 2002, Ms. Yeramyan is known as a pioneer in the field of organizational transformation. In 2006, Ms. Yeramyan was honored to receive the Corporate Vision Award from Girls Inc, a national organization that inspires girls to be strong, smart and bold. The award recognized Gap International for its vision of inclusion and possibility for women and people of color. Ms. Yeramyan's dedication to make a difference extends into the community. Her activities have included consulting the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America and donating Gap International's services to the State of Delaware to reduce recidivism in the state prison system. For 20 years, she has been a financial supporter of The Hunger Project, an organization whose mission is to end hunger and starvation primarily though the education and empowerment of people in the developing world. In addition, her company has contributed to Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), a partnership between business and higher education that prepares the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders to create a better world for everyone. As a regional employer, Gap International regularly offers to the community at large the opportunity to participate in breakthrough thinking weekend programs at no charge through clients' and associates' friends and family members.

Mr. Garnik Nanagoulian, Executive Director

Mr. Garnik Nanagoulian is a former Minister of Industry and Trade and senior diplomat who served as Armenia's Ambassador to Canada as well as Deputy Chief of Mission in the Armenian Embassy in Washington, D.C. As an active member of the government of Armenia, Mr. Nanagoulian helped design and implement structural reforms during Armenia's transition from a totalitarian regime to a democracy. He played an essential role in shaping the government's policy to create a favorable environment for the development of a free market economy.

Following his tenure in public service, Mr. Nanagoulian was a Fellow and an Associate at the Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. He has lectured and participated in workshops in the Harvard and Boston-area university communities, as well as conducted research on various Transcaucasusian issues.

Throughout his career, Mr. Nanagoulian developed a keen know-how of nonprofit organizations. In the diplomatic service and as a member of government, he coordinated a number of humanitarian and technical assistance projects provided by foreign governments and internationals NGOs. Since moving to the U.S., he has been a consultant to multinational companies and nonprofit organizations on issues related to the former Soviet Union.