ARMENIAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RECOGNIZES INFLUENTIAL BUSINESS AND LEADERS
By Tania Chatila, News-Press and Leader

Glendale News Press, CA
March 26 2006

Gala honors service

BURBANK — The best thing about owning or running a successful business
is the ability to give back to the community, according to officials
with the Glendale-based Armenian American Chamber of Commerce.

That was evident at the chamber’s third annual business awards gala
Friday night at The Castaway restaurant, where one business and two
local business owners were awarded for their support of the local
Armenian-American community.

About 400 people — including chamber members and local officials —
attended the event, which honored Bank of America as business of the
year, Alec Baghdasaryan as businessman of the year and Jenik Akopian
as businesswoman of the year.

“We just wanted to recognize the businesses, professionals and business
owners who are not only successful in their industry, but also manage
to give back to the communities they serve,” chamber Executive Director
Annette Vartanian said. “Anything possible they can do, they do it.”

The three honorees were chosen by a committee based on their
involvement in the community, said Armond Aghakhanian, an executive
board member of the chamber.

“These are good examples of businesses that are not only successful,
but really contribute back,” he said.

Baghdasaryan, who has lived in Glendale since 1987 and opened his
Glendale-based business, Information, Integration Group Inc. in 1991,
is a member of the Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter and the Armenian
Educational Foundation.

“In my upbringing, my parents were always ready and willing to help
others,” Baghdasaryan said. “So I developed this sense of helping
others too.”

It is especially important for successful business owners to help
the Armenian American community because it is still a relatively new
community to the nation, he said.

For Akopian, the importance is in supporting the elderly because they
helped build the community and the Armenian American youth because
they will build the future, she said.

“I do believe in the community, and I believe in the young generation,”
she said.

Akopian, a Glendale resident, is also involved with the Armenian
Educational Foundation and the Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter,
as well as being an administrator for Autumn Hills Health Care Center
in Glendale.

“It’s such a great feeling [to be honored],” she said.

“But again, my message is cherish your families, because without the
love and support of your families, no one can be successful.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress