?This year met another cornerstone for HANAC as the new George T. Douris Tower, a magnificent 184-unit senior residence named for the organization’s founder, will open shortly in Astoria. No wonder then that the honoree at the 37th Dinner Dance Gala was the builder of this state-of-the art edifice, Mr. Hercules Hanjis, Founder and President of Mega Contracting Inc. The honoree was introduced by friend George Poulon, who was visibly moved. A sparkling Andrea Stassou was the event chairman and presented the program, with George Makkos as Honorary Chairman. Hercules Argyriou and George Poulon co-chaired the Journal Committee with Jonathan Williams as co-chair.

“It is with special gratitude that I extend my sincere thanks to the Grand Benefactors, Benefactors, Sponsors, Journal participants and guests for their generous support,” said Evangeline Douris, not to omit “the Dinner Committee, all those who contributed to this year’s success.”

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney was also present, as was New York State Assemblyman Mike Giannaris. Rev. Frank Marangos, Dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral offered the Benediction.

HANAC, with administrative offices at 49 West 45th Street in New York City, is a nonprofit service organization founded in Astoria, New York in 1972 by George T. Douris in response to the needs of the growing immigrant community of New York City. The mission of the agency is: “to develop and administer the operation of service programs for the betterment of the community and to provide these services to any and all who are needy without discrimination as to race, creed, national origin or other defining characteristic.”
Based upon its performance and record of service for 37 years, the agency has become one of New York City’s largest and most successful multi-service organizations. HANAC provides a wide range of programs from 17 locations to diverse and multi-ethnic communities, touching the lives of over 30,000 individuals annually. It currently employs a staff of 2750.

Hercules Hanjis, this year’s honoree, is the Founder and President of Mega Contracting Inc. as well as a group of affiliate construction companies, which include Makro General Contractors, MetroYork Electrical, and Status General Development. These companies provide general contracting, construction management and property development services for residential, commercial, institutional, and infrastructure projects throughout New York City and the metropolitan area.

An advocate of Affordable Housing in New York, Hercules Hanjis has lead Mega Contracting to build more than 3,000 affordable apartment units primarily for not for profit organizations, such as HANAC, Phipps Housing, Fifth Avenue Committee and Whedco. Many of these buildings have been recognized with prestigious awards for Excellence in Construction, Environmental Responsibility, Historic Preservation and Service in the Community. In addition to the Construction industry, Mr. Hanjis is involved in Real Estate Holding Development and Management both in New York and in Greece.

Born in Kato Kerasovo, Mesologi in Greece in 1952, Hercules Hanjis finished high school in Athens and went on to study Maritime business in Pireaus. He moved to the United States in 1972, where he continued his studies in Business Administration in Florida. It was his passion for construction, though, that led him to earn his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Civil Engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of New York, while working full time to build his reputation as a contractor in the Metropolitan area. He got married in 1980 to Ms. Joanne Lignos and is the proud father of Kosta, Dimitri and Alexa.

Hercules Hanjis has been a strong supporter and advisor to many non-profit organizations, such as Project Return Foundation, Community Access, The Lantern Group, The Institute for Community Living and many others, that provide services to the needy. At the same time, valuing his Greek heritage, Hercules Hanjis has been actively involved in the Greek American Community. Over the years, he has served as a member of the Board of Directors for HANAC and the Byzantine Center of Queens College and has been a member of organizations, such as the Leadership 100, AHEPA and HAPAC, and the Hellenic American Construction Association.