Niata Psila Ψηλά – Kick Start 2022 with Hope and Positivity!
“Hire for Attitude – Train for Skills”
PROJECT CONNECT on Sunday, January 30, 2022, kicked off the new year with a webinar of 150 attendees, consisting of prominent shipping personalities from Greece and abroad, as well as schools, teachers and students.
More specifically, Mr. Jim Kokotas, Supreme President of the AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association) joined the meeting from the Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church, in Brooklyn, New York, while State Senator Leonidas Raptakis, President World Hellenic Parliamentary Association connected from Rhode Island. Both are big supporters of the NPO which bridges opportunities to young adults studying Shipping. The main attraction of the event was the amazing motivational speaker, Dr. Yiannis Kalogerakis who spoke about Business Attitude & Ethics, encouraging self-awareness, in the light of teamwork and community service.
After Dr. Kalogerakis inspirational presentation, shipping gurus and the young visionaries exchanged views and words of encouragement for the development of the shipping industry of tomorrow.
The inspiration behind “Niata Psila”, which is Project Connect’s self-development series of seminars, Irene Notias, expressed her joy for the remarkable participation that evening and for the on-going development of the two programs managed by the NPO which are the “Adopt a Ship” maritime educational program that plants the seed of maritime knowledge and brands shipping to children ages 9-15 and the “Work-Ship” a systematic internship program that was created together with HR executives from shipping and universities.
The event was hosted by Ms. Notias, who is also the Managing Director of Prime’s Bunkersplus Services and Mr. Nicholas Marmatsouris, Group Sr. Marketing Manager of GAC and a long time Shipping Advisor for students of PROJECT CONNECT. Both warmly greeted the guests, right from home.
Three Founder Members of PROJECT CONNECT, Arcadia Shipmanagement, Seaven Group, and Ariston Navigation Corporation offered three-month internships to Project Connect student members thru a lottery draw. The winners are Vlasis Fykaris, Nefeli Malamas and Dicho Dichev.
All three young professionals are members of Project Connect’s pride & joy, the first of its kind, the Online Shipping Student CV Platform.
The introductory salutations were given by:
Mr. Jim Kokotas, the AHEPA Supreme President
RI Senator Leonidas Raptakis, President World Hellenic Parliamentary Association
Capt. Dimitris Mattheou, CEO, Arcadia Shipmanagement
Dr. Panos Sotiropoulos, Head of HR, SPS & STAR BULK Shipping Company
Mr. George A. Tsavliris, Principal, Tsavliris Salvage Group, Honorary Chairman PROJECT CONNECT
Ms. Maria Yasa, THE SWEDISH CLUB (P&I Club & Sponsors of this event
The Honorary Guests that took part in the dialogue after were :
– Ms Anna Polemis, Managing Director/HR Director, Empire Chemical Tankers
– Mr George Alexandratos, V.P., Hellenic Chamber of Shipping
– Mr George Xiradakis, CEO, XRTC, Past President Propeller Club of Port of Piraeus
– Mr John Xylas, Ariston Navigation Corporation
– Cpt Michael Fotinos, Crew Manager, Diana Shipping
– Mr Vlasis Fykaris, PC student volunteer and Euronav Intern
Dr. Yiannis Kalogerakis: “Job – Career – Calling” are the three types of work styles. He agrees that talent is born but without practice you lose every lead over the rest. Knowledge is a responsibility, he proclaimed!
Dr. Panos Sotiropoulos: ” Hire for attitude, train for skills ”
George Xiradakis: “ I left the event with an improved view”
John Xylas / President & CEO Ariston Navigation Corp./ Founder Member of PROJECT CONNECT: “What I expect from an intern or entry level in my company, is that he or she has a strong appetite for work and learning. “
Capt. Dimitris Mattheou: “Young people should seek to work with difficult managers. “It will give them important skills for the future.”
Senator Leonidas Raptakis: ” WHIA – World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association will support PROJECT CONNECT through our co-operation with the Greek Government for internship incentives and we will suggest to our fellow Shipowners from Andros to enroll their vessels in the Adopt a Ship program”.
Anna Polemis: “I give emphasis on soft skills and young people need to have patience for development “
Maria Christopoulou / Prime’s Bunkersplus Services – Marketing and Client Service Rep. “The best research a young person can do is identify who the real leaders are and seek to work near them.”
John Faraclas: “ Special note that your event is held on the Greek Orthodox holiday of the Three Hierarchs who stood for education.”
Vlasis Fykaris: “We are what we do. We are a habit. Young people should not be eager to get money and titles. They must first gain experience. It’s good for young people not to be limited to just one practice. “
Jim Kokotas: “Passion, Compassion and Faith in God – are the three musts for being successful in life and businesses”
PROJECT CONNECT especially thanks their sponsor THE SWEDISH CLUB.
Maria Yiassa: “Young people need to be bold, work hard, ask questions that will give them more ground, have faith in themselves and pursue their dream.”
All of the above thoughts reflect PROJECT CONNECT. If you share the same vision, be a member. Send an email at bridge@project-connect.gr
