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Savas C. Tsivicos
Business Leader
Born	January 13, 1961 Innia, Paphos, Cyprus
Occupation	Businessman, Philanthropist, Activist
Spouse	Maria Tsivicos
Children	Haralambos Savas, Ellpetha Eleni, Evangelos Savas Tsivicos
Parent(s)	Persephone Charalambous Tsivikou and Charalambos Savas Tsivikos

Savas Charalambos Tsivicos (January 13, 1961 - Present) In Greek: Σαβασ Χαραλαμποσ Τσιβικοσ is a Cypriot born American businessman, activist, and philanthropist. He arrived in the United States in 1982, immediately beginning his career in activism and philanthropy. The focus of his work was primarily the movement for justice for Cyprus, referring to the 1974 illegal occupation by Turkey. He rose through the ranks of business establishing a multi-million dollar construction company, as well as many other ventures including restaurants, assisted living, real estate, and hedge funds. He was a notable recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, alongside President Bill Clinton, as well as many other prestigious awards for his political, philanthropic, and social contributions to the United States, Greece, and Cyprus. He is currently serving on the Hellenic American Heritage Commission of New Jersey, first appointed by Governor Corzine before he left office. Savas has served as the President of the Cyprus Federation of America for two terms, and through his tenure has developed many long lasting ties with US politicians and foreign dignitaries. He has established himself as a major international player in the movement for justice for cyprus and the advancement of Hellenic ideals. He has appeared on numerous foreign and domestic radio and television programs throughout the course of his lengthy career.

Biography

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Early life

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Savas was born to Persephone Charalambous Tsivikou and Charalambos Savas Tsivikos in Innia, Paphos, Cyprus. The first of three children born to a family of farmers, he joined his parents at a young age herding sheep and harvesting a variety of grains, grapes, olives, almonds, and other staples. His family sold the products of their farming to the farming cooperatives on the Island. Having been born only eleven years before the Turkish occupation of Cyprus, it had a pronounced affect on his upbringing, and would prove to be a focus of his activism later in life. At age seven, Savas had a near death experience after being bitten by a poisonous scorpion while accompanying his parents on the fields. He was treated at his own in home in the village of Innia by the village elders with homemade remedies. Savas attended elementary school at the village school in Innia, he later attended middle and high school at Third Gymnasium in Paphos. At age eleven Turkey began an illegal occupation of the island of Cyprus. During the invasion, Savas and his sister Evanthia, hid in a fig tree while Turkish fighter jets soared overhead.

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Arrival in the United States

Upon finishing his service, with the aide of only $3,000, Savas began his journey to America to study English, and to pursue his education. In 1982 he arrived in the United States through JFK airport, and settled in the bayside neighborhood of Astoria, Queens, New York. He immediately enrolled in the Cambridge School on 42nd and 3rd Ave to receive a certificate in the English language. He worked at the Scopee Diner as a busboy to support himself while studying the English language. He briefly returned to Cyprus for two months in the Summer of 1983. On August 23, 1983, while socializing in the Hilton Coffee Shop and Bakery in Astoria, Queens, he met his future wife Maria Eleni Gregos. In the following month he enrolled in Queens College, in Queens, New York. Upon enrollment he focused his studies on Business Management. As his relationship with Maria grew more serious, after one semester of studies at Queens College, he opted to transfer to Farleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford, New Jersey. He enrolled in the Hotel and Restaurant Management program with the hopes of earning a Bachelors degree in the field.

Early Business Career and Studies

While studying at Fairleigh, in the Winter of 1986, Savas and Maria jointly opened the Malibu Supper Club, in West Long Branch, New jersey. He also continued to work in the construction business while operating the Supper Club. While at Fairleigh, he received Dean’s special permission to take 24 credits in a single semester. Regardless of this increased workload, he worked full time for Maria’s Father’s construction company, commuting to the University. Savas eventually graduated with honors with a cumulative GPA of 3.8. In May of 1986 He graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management after a mere two and a half years of study. On August 23, 1986, three years to the day after they first met, he married the love of his life, Maria Gregos in a beautiful ceremony in Innia Village, Paphos, Cyprus.

Post College Years

On July 23, 1987, Maria and Savas were blessed with the birth of their first son, Haralambos Savas. In September of 1987, Savas formally began his activism for the freedom of Cyprus by founding the Panpaphian Association of America, along with four other Cypriots. The organizations focus was philanthropy and education about the Cypriot cause, with a focus on individuals with roots from Paphos, Cyprus. At the end of the year, Savas and Maria decided to close the Malibu to further pursue their own company in the field of General Construction.

Having started supporting Michael Dukakis in 1987, he continued his support for the Dukakis for president campaign as a member of the Board of Directors and the National Finance Committee in 1988. In early 1989 he was elected Vice-President of the Cyprus Federation of America, an umbrella organization representing Cypriots in the United States. The organization focused most of its efforts on lobbying the United States to take action on the Cyprus problem, he would later serve as President for two terms. From 1987 through 1992 he served as a Trustee of the Democratic National Committee.

In the Spring of 1989, Savas and Maria jointly founded Paphian Enterprises, Incorporated, a General Construction Company focusing on Government Contracts. They started the company out of an office in the basement of their home in Wayside, New Jersey. Over the following two years he focused on growing the construction company. In 1991 he purchased a new location for Paphian Enterprises in Ocean Township, NJ. By this time he had grown the company to annual revenues of $ 4-5 million. While at his Ocean Township location, the company experienced tremendous growth.

In 1991 Savas was elected President of the Panpahian Association of America, serving a second term in 1997. From 1991 to 1992 Savas was the State Finance Chairmen for the Paul Tsongas for President Campaign. In 1992 he served on the Ethnic Advisory Council of New Jersey under Governor Florio, continuing his service under Governor Christine Whitman. At the same time he was steadfastly pursuing his dream of lobbying for justice for Cyprus. Savas remained active in several organizations working towards the liberation of the illegally occupied territory of Northern Cyprus. In 1993 Savas was elected the Alternate President of the International Coordinating Committee of Justice for Cyprus.

In 1995 he joined the Advisory Board of the Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies. In the same year Savas began serving on the Board of Directors of Cosmos FM, a Greek-American daily radio based in New York. He would go on to serve as Chairman of the board from 2001 until 2003 when he ended his service. In late 1995 Savas began his tenure as Chairman of the American Hellenic Institute Public Affairs Committee, serving until 1998. He was charged with working towards advocacy and lobbying for the human rights and basic freedoms of the people of Cyprus. He developed many long lasting ties with several members of Congress through his efforts to raise awareness for the Cyprus problem.

In 1997 he was made an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate by then Archbishop Spiridon, an honor bestowed for life. This title is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a layman in the Greek Orthodox Church. Also known as the order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons are seen as both advisors to the Patriarch and protectors of the faith. In 1998 he was appointed to the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Church of America. In 1999 Savas was the honorable recipient of the Evagoras Pallikarides Award of Merit from the Panpaphian Association of America. The award is reserved for the select few that embody the ideals of Cypriot-American activism.

On March 21, 1999 he was elected President of the Cyprus Federation of America, going on to serve two terms. During his tenure as President Savas had several meetings with many heads of state regarding awareness of the Cypriot Occupation, including President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, President of Cyprus Glefkos Clerides, and countless members of congress, ambassadors, and governors. His primary goal was to deliver the message to politicians that the Cyprus issue mattered, and that action had to be taken. Since 1998 he has been a Member of the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Church of America. Since 2006, he is serving on the Metropolitan Council of the Metropolis of NJ.

Savas has served as the Chairmen of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Children's fund for the past six years. In his capacity he is responsible for raising much needed donations for needy Cypriot Children, most notably descendants of political refugees. The foundation is currently sponsoring over 800 children, with hopes to continue to grow that number. This is one of Savas' most notable contributions, and has undoubtedly had a pronounced effect of these children, wholly changing their lives for the better. Savas is known to maintain contact via mail with many of the children that the organization sponsors.

Paphian Enterprises and Other Ventures

After founding Paphian Enterprises in the basement of his home, he would eventually grown the business to yearly revenues of over $50 million in the late 1990's. Paphian Enterprises completed many high profile jobs in the state of New Jersey, including the renovations on the State Building in Trenton, and the $20+ million Howell South Middle School. With his success in the construction industry, Savas began to branch out his investments into many other realms. In 2002 Savas would become the first investor in Euclid Financial Group, a hedge fund specializing in mortgage backed securities based in the Golden Triangle of Finance in Washington, D.C. He currently serves as a member of the board, and maintains one of the majority positions in the corporation. In 2007 he opened Synaxis at the Shore, a fine Greek-Mediterranean Restaurant in Asbury Park, NJ. Having always wanted to support his community, he saw the opportunity and was quick to act. With the support of his family, the restaurant opened and has since become a staple of downtown Asbury Park. The restaurant has been visited by Clarence Clemmins, Bruce Springsteen, Congressman Frank Pallone, and many other noteworthy politicians and celebrities.

Continued Education

Despite his success in business, he wanted to continue to expand his knowledge of business. He enrolled in the MBA program at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and In 1996 Savas graduated with Honors. He would continue his quest for knowledge at George Washington University's School of Law, earning a Master's Certificate in Government Contracts in 1998.

2001 UN General Assembly Presidential Visit

Following the 2001 General Assembly of the United Nations, Savas was honored to host every living President of the Republic of Cyprus, along with several other diplomats and Politicians. The event was hosted at his home in Wayside, NJ, and was meant to be a casual time to relax. The attendees included President Glafcos Clerides (2/28/1993-2/28/2003), President George Vasiliou (2/28/1988-2/28/1993), President Spyros Kyprianou (9/3/1977-2/28/1988), the current Greek and Cypriot Ambassadors to the United States, the Attorney General of Cyprus, and Congressman Frank Pallone. The motorcade included over 15 vehicles, including three state troopers, and a secret service detail to protect the foreign dignitaries. The event lasted all day and featured many traditional Greek and Cypriot delicacies and traditions, including brick oven roasted lamb or Kleftiko, and a whole lamb roast.

Current Affairs

After many years of steadfast dedication to the causes of Hellinism, and in the wake of the economic downturn of the late 1990's, Savas made the decision to focus his attentions more on his family, business, and local community. Although Savas maintained his involvement as an international player in the movement for justice for Cyprus, he sought to do what he could to advance the goals of his own community in New Jersey. Savas began his involvement with the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association of America, quickly rising through the ranks from Chapter President, to District Governor of the John G. Thevos Fifth District. The organization strives to maintain the values of hellenism, and to act as a backbone for the Hellenic community in the United States. The organization focuses on furthering education, and making philanthropic contributions to Greek, Cypriot, and International Causes.

In keeping with his newfound fire to advance his community, Savas was elected to the Parish Council of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Asbury Park, NJ. The church, founded in 1928, bears a tremendous amount of History, and has been visited in the past by many notable figures, including past director of the CIA George Tenet, Congressman Frank Pallone, and others. Savas was elected to serve as Council President in 2005. For over ten years the community had struggled with the decision to move its Parish to Ocean Township, NJ. In 1994, Savas' Father in Law, Angelo Michael Gregros, had acquired a parcel of land in Ocean Township, NJ as the site of the future parish. Unfortunately due to a lack of funding and strong leadership, and ambivalence within the community, the project remained dormant for over a decade. Savas had a primary goal of helping the community decide once and for all whether the move was truly what they wanted.

A feasibility study was completed by an outside consultant and a community wide referendum was called. It was finally decided once and for all that the parish would be moved to Ocean Township, NJ. A massive funds drive was enacted, and over the course of several years over $5 million was raised for the building fund. The project officially broke ground in 2009 with Metropolitan Evangelos of the Metropolis of New Jersey in attendance. It was decided that the members of the Parish Council would personally manage the construction project, thereby saving the community millions of dollars and ample time. Savas has worked tirelessly since the projects outset, he is a daily visitor to the site as if it were his own project. He has closely watched over and guided its progress, and it is projected that the project will be occupied by late 2011. The facility is over 50,000 square feet, including a full size gymnasium, banquet facility, administrative building, school, and a traditional Byzantine Chapel. As of 2011 less then $1.5 million needs to be raised in order to fully cover the construction costs, totaling approximately $8 million.

Family

• Maria Tsivicos (May 7, 1959 - Present) Having introduced Savas to the construction industry, Maria played a vital role in the beginnings of his career in the business. Having founded Paphian Enterprises with him in the basement of their home, she played a major roll supporting Savas in all of his endeavors in business and beyond. She has proven to be the driving force behind his never faltering motivation to work towards a better tomorrow for the people of the United States, Cyprus, and Greece.

• Haralambos Savas Tsivicos (July 23, 1987 - Present) His eldest son has assisted his father in many of his business ventures. Having ventured into business himself, Haralambos found great success importing Chinese motor-sports, and making investments in the stock market while still in college. He followed in his father's footsteps, serving as the Supreme Treasurer of the Sons of Pericles for three terms, the youth auxiliary of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association of America, as well as his Chapter President, and the Governor of his District. He is also a founding member of the Cypriot Youth Committee of America, the youth auxiliary of the Cyprus Federation of America. He is also known to play semi-professional poker, having found success playing the events of the World Series of Poker. He studied Nuclear Engineering at the University of Wisconsin, and holds a degree in Applied Sciences Engineering from Rutgers University, specializing in Nuclear, Mechanical, and Civil engineering, with a minor in entrepreneurship.

• Ellpetha Eleni Tsivicos (January 21, 1989 - Present)

• Evangelos Savas Tsivicos (February 12, 1991 - Present)

Published works

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See also

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• autobiography
• biography

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