The Armenian Professional Society (APS) installed its new Executive Board and announced a very exciting line up of initiatives for 2012. The annual installation of the Executive Board was held on Saturday January 28, 2012, at the Bistro Garden in Studio City.
An array of professionals and dignitaries were in attendance. Guests included former executive board representatives, past presidents as well as various members of the Armenian Professional Society.
Angelo Ghailian, President elect of the Board, started the evening’s program by welcoming the enthusiastic group of supporters, thanking them for their continued support, and recognized all past presidents of the APS who were in attendance. 2011 marked a very successful year for the Armenian Professional Society as membership increased, the organization was able to reconnect with many of its past supporters and hosted successful events, none of which would have been possible without the leadership of Shahan Minassian, APS’ 2011 President. Shahan Minassian was welcomed with applauds.
Shahan Minassian recapped a very successful 2011 marked by the Professional of the Year Banquet honoring Dr. Frieda Jordan featuring Mark Geragos as the Master of Ceremonies. Minassian also highlighted other successful events, such as the Nuclear Disaster lecture by Dr. Kazarians, the evening at the Hollywood Bowl and Disney Concert Hall, the Santa Barbara event featuring a museum trip to view artwork by Charles Garabedian, as well as the Past President’s Luau Party. Minassian thanked the Executive Board of 2011 and encouraged guests to continue their support to the APS and cited the significance the APS invokes on professionals in the Armenian community.
The program flowed beautifully as Joe Mehrabian, a young talented saxophone player performed an exceptional musical piece. As dinner came to an end, former APS President Stephan Bagboudarian took to stage to present candidates for the Executive Board of 2012. Each member’s outstanding accomplishments in their academic achievements and professional careers were outlined as cheers rang from guests. The Executive Board of 2012, who were nominated by the Council and approved in accordance with APS by-laws, comprise of Angelo Ghailian as President, Taline Hanna as First Vice-President, Lily Kazarians as Second Vice-President, and Ani Petrossian as Treasurer. Seta Khajarian was selected as Scholarship Chair and Lara Yacoubian was selected as Event Coordinator. Each member welcomed the opportunity.
Angelo Ghailian accepted the opportunity to serve as the President in 2012 and promised to live up to all of the APS traditions of Armenian fellowship, its non political / non sectarian stance, and last but not least its support and fostering of higher education in young Armenians. Angelo Ghailian also thanked the new board members and shared his enthusiasm to work with each of them.
As guests indulged in conversation over coffee and dessert, Vaughn Gregor one the founding members of the APS came to the podium outlining the focus of fellowship amongst the APS. Dr. Gregor welcomed Shahan Minassian back to the stage to compliment and thank him for the great service provided to the APS. Shahan Minassian was presented with an honorary pin.
The evening came to a close as Angelo Ghailian outlined the initiatives of enhancing the APS and offered a template of exciting activities set for 2012. Proposed activities for 2012 are to comprise of evening events such as Disney and Hollywood Bowl concerts, mixers & membership drives at happy hour venues and colleges, guest speakers on topics such as medicine, engineering, green energy, and the arts, the ever popular past Presidents luau party, the traditional Professional of the Year Banquet and last but not least a Christmas party to finish off the year.
The APS will also focus its efforts to coordinate with the other Armenian organizations in order to develop stronger ties with the community in pursuit of increased visibility and esteem. The APS will also concentrate on a mentoring program that will be instrumental in fostering young graduates with contacts and skills sets to excel in their desired professions.
The APS is an independent, non-partisan organization founded in 1958 to promote fellowship among Armenian professionals and to encourage and foster higher education in young Armenians. APS activities include annual grants and scholarships to universities in Armenia, and to graduate students in the United States; conducting regularly scheduled meetings that cover a range of professional, cultural, and other topics of interest to its membership; sponsoring social events; and holding an annual banquet to honor a Professional of the Year who has provided outstanding service to the Armenian community.
Additional information about The Armenian Professional Society and upcoming events is available at (818) 685-9946, apsla@apsla.org, www.apsla.org.
