Dateline: 27/05/1999
NEW YORK, May 27, 1999 -- Constantine Iordanou, Chief Executive Officer of Zurich U.S., was among this year’s distinguished group of recipients of the Ellis Island Medals of Honor. Established in 1986 by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO), the awards recognize outstanding ethnic Americans who have distinguished themselves as citizens of the United States. The awards were presented at a gala ceremony and reception held at the historic Great Hall on Ellis Island in New York Harbor on May 8, 1999.
"I am deeply touched to be a part of this unique event," said Mr. Iordanou. "The Ellis Island Medals of Honor celebrate the richness and diversity of the American way of life, which I proudly embrace." Mr. Iordanou came to the United States from Cyprus as a young adult and worked his way through college at New York University, where he earned a B.S. degree in aerospace engineering. He began his career in insurance as a management trainee with American International Group in 1977.
NECO is the largest organization of its kind in the U.S., serving as an umbrella group for 300 ethnic organizations. Its mandate is to preserve ethnic diversity, promote ethnic and religious equality, tolerance and harmony, and to combat injustice, hatred and bigotry. Previous Ellis Island Medal of Honor winners have included U.S. Presidents, entertainers, athletes, entrepreneurs, religious leaders and business executives, representing a myriad of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Zurich U.S. is a leading commercial property and casualty insurance company serving the multinational, middle market and small business sectors in the U.S. Zurich U.S. is a member of the Zurich Financial Services Group, a global leader in the financial services industry. Providing its customers with products and solutions in the area of financial protection and asset accumulation, Zurich Financial Services concentrates its activities in four core businesses: non-life and life insurance, reinsurance and asset management. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the Group operates in 60 countries, reaching more than 30 million customers. Worldwide, 68,000 employees serve these customers.
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Media contacts:
Pat Schnably
Zurich U.S.
(410) 338-2755, (847) 605-6372 or pat.schnably@zurichna.com
Joanne Lessner
Miller DeMartine Group
(212) 222-7436 or jlessner@mdgpr.com
