Distinguished Hellene 2011
ERNIE ANASTOS is a distinguished Emmy Award-winning news anchor for WNYW-TV FOX 5’s top-rated “FOX 5 News at 10:00 p.m.”
A dynamic New York Hall of Fame Broadcaster, Ernie has an extraordinary record of achievement. He has won more than 30 Emmy awards and nominations. He is the first and only New York TV anchor to receive the coveted “Lifetime Emmy Award,” the highest honor given for his outstanding and personal accomplishments in the television industry. In a January 2010 article, The New York Times described him as “the ubiquitous anchorman” who has captured the love and respect of New Yorkers.
As a seasoned anchor and reporter, Anastos has covered a number of major stories throughout his career. During his more than thirty years in the news industry, he has anchored award-winning news coverage of the 9/11 World
Trade Center attacks, met with Fidel Castro in Cuba and produced a series of special reports on the anniversary of the Cuban revolution, covered an official pastoral trip to the war-torn countries of El Salvador and Nicaragua, and reported live from Los Angeles on the death of Michael Jackson and from London on the tragic death of Princess Diana. Anastos also received an Emmy nomination for his reporting on the untimely death of John F. Kennedy, Jr.
He has national experience as a news anchor and substitute host for “The CBS Morning Show” and ABC’s “Good Morning America.” He has also hosted and produced programs for CBS, Lifetime and ABC including, “America Wants To Know,” “Polling America” and “Families.” In addition, he has appeared in popular TV series, such as FOX’s “24,” and the hit movie, “Independence Day.”
Anastos is a celebrated author, most recently introducing a series of children’s books titled, Ernie and the Big Newz, with proceeds donated to The Make-A-Wish Foundation. Previously, he wrote a historical book on the lifestyle of America’s youth entitled Twixt: Teens Yesterday and Today, which was featured at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. and applauded in The New York Times. Anastos has also been a regular columnist for leading woman’s magazine Family Circle.
As a Phi Kappa Phi honoree, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Northeastern University, where he is a noted member of the university corporation. His academic credits include postgraduate studies at Columbia University. He holds Honorary Doctorate degrees in Humanities from Manhattanville College in New York and Curry College in Massachusetts. Anastos is profiled in the International Who’s Who of Intellectuals.
Distinguished Hellene 2012
Merkourios A. Angeliades, known as Mike, was born on November 20th, 1941 in Symi, Greece.
He came to the United States in 1960 to pursue a better life for himself and his family back home.
He was willing to work anywhere and do whatever he could. In 1965, he opened ANT Construction, doing mostly home improvements and restaurant renovations. In 1969 he founded Magnetic Construction Corp. building more than 200 restaurants as well as doing city and state projects. In 1991 he established M.A. Angeliades, Inc.
This company grew into a multi-million dollar organization and has completed over three hundred projects in the New York City area, including many schools,
Transit Authority stations, correctional facilities, courts, libraries and firehouses.
He recently completed the Bleecker Street Station, a $96 million dollar renovation.
His company has been listed in the top 400 construction firms in the United States for the past several years. In addition, he has real estate interests in the tri-state area and has recently purchased Dairy Barns, a chain of drive-through convenient stores on Long Island. Mike had ambition, determination and an extraordinary work ethic, all of which contributed to his vast success in business. In addition to his business accomplishments, he was always committed to civic, community and philanthropic endeavors.
He is extremely proud of his heritage and is very involved with the Greek community. He is one of the major benefactor of many churches in Symi and one of the original founders of the Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church in Roslyn. He is amember of the Ahepa Gold Coast Chapter and Leadership 100.
Mike believes in, and enjoys, the simple things in life. He is a strong believer in never forgetting his roots. He loves returning to Symi every summer where he enjoys drinking ouzo with friends as they sit on the steps in front of his house in the evenings or having Symi shrimp at the local taverns. Everything Mike has ever done or strived for stems from his love of family. His initial motivation to make money was to provide his family back in Greece with a better life.
Valuing the family institution, he met and married Libby. He was an excellent son and son-in-law offering his parents and in-laws security and stability. He remains the sole provider for his sister Irene, who was stricken with polio at the tender age of three. A wonderful husband, he and Libby have been married for more than forty years and live in Manhasset, NY. He is the most generous, kind and loving father to his four daughters, Phaedra, Aegina, Irena and Ilana. He loves working with his sons-in-law, Manny Kazanas married to Phaedra and Sean Maguire married to Ilana. Mike also feels blessed to have four granddaughters, Melina. Anastasia, Sophia and Electra and adores all his girls. Anyone who knows Mike is often inspired by his story. It is a classic tale of man with a dream and the willingness to work hard and take chances.
