“James M. Orphanides, Chairman Emeritus of First American Title Insurance Company, was this year’s honoree, and echoing Hansel’s words, he spoke of solidarity in these tough times for the banking industry. “We are here together tonight, because we are all linked to each other.” He also sought to remind everyone of the hardships the early generations of Greek immigrants faced when they came to this country and nevertheless managed to overcome and prosper.

“Is this today as bad as what those people experienced? I don’t think so,” he said. He also spoke about the need to distinguish people for their real worth and not just “the size of one’s checkbook.” In the same spirit, Mr. Hansel added that “a good person may suffer, but his virtue remains intact.”

However, far from suffering, the evening was a happy gathering, bringing together exceptionally successful people from various fields of endeavor, such as Dr. John Brademas, President Emeritus of New York University and the first Greek-American elected to Congress in the 20th century, and New York State Minority Leader Dean Skellos. Dorrie Klissas, Director of Media Relations at NYU’s Langone Medical Center was the Mistress of Ceremonies, while Rev. Frank Marangos, Dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral, offered the Invocation and praised Mr. Orphanides’ philanthropical activities. John Catsimatides, CEO and Chairman of the Red Apple Group, himself a past recipient of the Executive of the Year Award, was the Event’s Chairman.

James M. Orphanides is Chairman Emeritus of First American Title Insurance Company of New York and a Director, effective December 31, 2007. He has worked for First American since 1992 in key executive positions. From 1996 through 2007 he was President, CEO and Chairman of the Board. Prior to joining First American, Mr. Orphanides was a Principal and President of Preferred Land Title Services, Inc., from 1982 to 1992. He was Vice President and head of the National Sales department in New York for Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company from 1979 to 1982 and an Executive at Chicago Title Insurance Company from 1972 from 1979. He is currently a Trustee of two Public Companies CB Richard Ellis Realty Trust and Wilshire Enterprises, Inc. Mr. Orphanides had been actively involved in many non-for profit organizations. Today he sits on the Boards of: the Foundation for Medical Evaluation and Early Detection, Seeds of Peace, Citizen Budget Commission and the American Ballet Theatre. He is also a member of the Lincoln Center Corporate Fund Leadership Committee, the Hellenic American Bankers Association (HABA) and the Economic Club of New York; TPC Golf Club at Jasna Polana in Princeton, New Jersey; the Nassau Club in Princeton, New Jersey and the Union League Club in New York City.

The Hellenic American Bankers Association, Inc. (H.A.B.A.) is one of the premier Greek-American organizations in the New York metropolitan area. HABA is a not-for-profit organization established in 1982 to promote the professional and educational interest of Greek-Americans in the banking and finance industries. Its current active membership consists of over 200 professionals representing more than 50 institutions across the financial spectrum.

For further information, the telephone number is 212-421-1057 and the website www.HABA.org.