George Logothetis

George Logothetis
Born January 18, 1975 (1975-01-18) (age 41)
London
Residence New York City
Occupation Founder, Chairman, and CEO of the Libra Group

George Michael Logothetis (born January 18, 1975) is an international businessman. He is from a Greek shipping family, grew up in London and has British citizenship,[1][2] and has lived in New York City since 2004.[1][3] In 2014 Fortune named him one of its "40 under 40".[4][5][6]

Logothetis is the chairman and CEO of the Libra Group, a diversified international privately owned conglomerate company which he founded in 2003. As of 2014, the Libra Group owns and operates 30 subsidiary companies around the world, mainly in six separate industries: shipping, aviation, hotels and hospitality services, renewable energy, real estate, and diversified investments.[7][8]

Early life and education

George Logothetis was born in 1975 in London to Greek-born parents, and he grew up there.[9][1][2][10] He was educated at Highgate School from 1987 to 1993.[11]

As a very young child he contracted meningitis, a disease which threatened his life and thereafter created debilitating health problems which left him bed-ridden for days at a time, several times a year, until he had an operation at the age of 36 which cured the condition.[9][12] Living with a debilitating illness for so long gave him an enormous appreciation of life and an ability to find inspiration in the face of difficulties.[9][12]

He is the eldest of four sons of Greek shipping businessman Michael G. Logothetis,[1] and his brothers are Constantine, Nicholas, and Leon.[13] His father started a small shipping business, Lomar Shipping, in 1976.[1][14] George was exposed to the business from a very early age, and as a teenager he also spent summers abroad learning the details of the trade.[1]

Logothetis began his business career immediately after high school and did not complete a university degree. In 2013, on the merits of his numerous accomplishments and philanthropies, he received an honorary doctorate from the American College of Greece.[15][16]

Career

Logothetis started working at his father's shipping company, Lomar Shipping, in 1993 at the age of 18.[17] By 1995 he was CEO of the company.[18] Over the next ten years, he enlarged the fleet from less than five to more than 70 ships.[1]

Logothetis's philosophy from the start was to work hard, and then take three months off every five years to reflect about the next five years. During these hiatuses, he avoids work emails and phone calls, believing that "ideas need space to be born".[1][19] On his first sabbatical, he traveled around Asia, and on his second, he did some university studies in New York City.[1]

During his three-month sabbatical in New York, the idea of diversification came to him.[1] In 2003 Logothetis, with his brother Constantine, created and founded the Libra Group, based in New York and London, in order to diversify and expand his company.[1][18]

Between 2004 and 2007, during a boom in the shipping business, the Libra Group sold off most of Lomar's ships.[7] With the profit from the ship sales, the new company purchased a fleet of airplanes, which were at a cyclical low, and set up an aircraft leasing division, Lease Corporation International.[1] Logothetis repeated this successful "buy-low, sell-high" formula of going counter to prevailing market trends several times in the ensuing decade, building a large diversified multinational conglomerate out of what was once a small shipping company.[3][7][18][19]

"The idea behind Libra was to diversify away from shipping to create a global group, using the top lieutenants we had worked with in the preceding years", Logothetis told Reuters in 2013.[7] He told Fortune he "took all the great people from our shipping business, and sent them around the world to start companies. We ended up with a ship's captain running a $200 million real estate company and a Russian fruit seller who runs six biogas plants in Latvia."[20] He later reiterated to BBC News how he expanded and diversified the company: "'We designed a framework of all the places in the world that we wanted to have an office and representation in. Next to each place we put the name of a person that we knew – a family member, a friend or an employee.' These people were sent out to different locations and given the chance to learn new businesses."[1]

In 2006, the Libra Group started expanding beyond aviation. Its new major ventures included real estate, hotels and hospitality, and renewable energy.[1][21]

In December 2009, after ship values slumped in the wake of the financial crisis, Logothetis again entered the shipping business and purchased Allocean and its fleet of 26 ships.[3][22][23] From December 2009 through December 2014, the company purchased a total of 91 vessels.[24]

The Libra Group has also expanded beyond its core businesses of shipping, aviation, real estate, hotels and hospitality, and renewable energy, to include a variety of interests including helicopter leasing, media, construction, service companies, and an equity brokerage.[13][18][25][26] Between 2008 and 2014, the company purchased $7 billion to $7.5 billion of assets globally.[26] As of 2014, the Libra Group owns and operates 30 subsidiary companies around the world.[7][8]

Logothetis has been an advocate for and an investor in Greece during the Greek financial crisis.[1][27] And as a result of the crisis, he has become a sought-after business leader for his opinions on investing in Greece and in Greek assets, products, and industries. In June 2012, following prime minister Antonis Samaras's election and instatement, he emphasized that the promise of governmental stability was bringing back business confidence and individual confidence in Greece, and noted Libra Group's numerous recent and projected Greek investments and businesses.[7][27] In March 2013, he cited Samaras's coalition government's relieving the Greek eurozone crisis as a reason investors were returning to, and should continue to return to, Greece.[7] In late 2013, he sounded a cautionary note concerning the "buying frenzy" occurring in the slump-ridden shipping sector.[28] Speaking to a reporter in January 2014 at Davos, Logothetis encouraged businesspersons to see the opportunity available in Greece, and stated that he felt that 2014 would be "the year of Greek growth".[2][29] He reiterated his optimism in March 2014, noting that the Libra Group had invested $500 million in Greece since 2012.[26]

Outreach and philanthropies

Logothetis has been publicly active in outreach and philanthropy, particularly in the wake of the Greek financial crisis. At a dinner meeting of 14 Greek Americans seeking to improve the lives of their countrymen, he conceived a plan for an internship program under the auspices of the Libra Group, in conjunction with the Greek America Foundation and the American College of Greece, placing young Greeks and Greek Americans in Libra Group's 25 locations across the world, giving them hope and opportunity.[16] This project became the Libra Internship Program, which launched in 2011.[30][31][32] Initially focused solely on Greek and Greek diaspora students,[33][34] as of 2015 the program provides internships for up to 100 students per year at Libra Group and its subsidiaries, and includes placements for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and Haitian students.[35][36][37][38]

Via the Libra Group, Logothetis also supports MBA students at Athens University of Economics and Business,[34][39] and engages in a variety of other nonprofit philanthropic and educational programs.[40][41] In 2012 Logothetis, along with three fellow diaspora Greeks, founded The Hellenic Initiative, a global nonprofit focused on mobilizing the Greek diaspora and pro-Greek community to invest in Greece through programs of crisis relief, entrepreneurship, and economic development.[42][43][44] Also in 2012, the Libra Group pledged €5 million to create the initiative's Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award, which provides mentorship and funding to Greek entrepreneurs.[27][42][45][46]

Logothetis co-founded the nonprofit Seleni Institute, which supports the mental and emotional well-being of women, with his wife Nitzia, who is a psychotherapist. The institute, which was founded in 2011 and launched in 2013 in New York City, promotes the mental health of mothers and their families through funding research, raising and providing awareness, and providing clinical care.[47][48][49] George is the treasurer of the organization.[50][51] In 2014 the Seleni Institute was honored with the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Excellence.[52]

At the 2012 Concordia Summit, Logothetis introduced Bill Clinton, noting his salient traits of wisdom and empathy.[53][54][55] At the 2013 Concordia Summit, he opened the summit with a well-received speech exhorting worldwide business leaders and government officials to empower young people with opportunity and hope, in order to reverse the tide of cynicism and hopelessness and to create a better tomorrow.[56][57][58][59]

At the Greek America Foundation’s 2012 National Innovation Conference, Logothetis encouraged fellow Greeks to revitalize Greece by rediscovering and implementing philotimo, a complex and comprehensive core Greek value roughly translating as honor and altruism.[60][61] He also gave detailed inspirational speeches at the 2011 and 2013 Gabby Awards presented by the Greek America Foundation.[62][63] Logothetis has also written several articles for the Huffington Post, beginning in 2012.[64][65][66][67]

Logothetis is on the Board of Directors of the My Brother's Keeper (MBK) Alliance, launched in May 2015 by President Obama.[37][38][68] The Libra Group is a founding sponsor of the program.[69][70] The MBK Alliance helps young men of color throughout the U.S. reach their full potential, by ensuring and improving educational and workplace opportunities.[70][71] As part of its involvement with the original My Brother's Keeper Initiative launched by Obama in February 2014, the Libra Group has partnered with Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA) by providing internship placements for young men of color at Libra and its global subsidiaries.[37][38][71][72]

Awards and honors

Personal life

Logothetis and his wife Nitzia (née Embiricos) are based in Manhattan, and have two sons and a daughter.[18][50][76] Nitzia, a psychotherapist, is a descendant of a Greek shipping family and grew up in England.[49][77] She has a psychology degree from Brown University, an MSc in child development from the University of London, and an MA in counseling for mental health and wellness from New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.[47][50] She heads the Seleni Institute, a nonprofit devoted to maternal psychological and physical care.[47][50]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Musafer, Shanaz. "Family values help Greek shipping business go global". BBC News. July 7, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "2014 the year of Greek growth?". Fox Business. January 22, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 Wright, Robert. "Families will keep shipping buoyant, says Greek tycoon". Financial Times. July 14, 2013.
  4. 1 2 "George Logothetis". "40 under 40" 2014. Fortune. 2014.
  5. 1 2 "40 under 40" 2014. Fortune. 2014. Accessed October 17, 2014.
  6. 1 2 "40 Under 40: Portfolio". Fortune. October 9, 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Saul, Jonathan. "Interview - Conglomerate Libra sees investors returning to Greece". Reuters. March 7, 2013.
  8. 1 2 About Us – Introduction. Libra Group. Libra.com.
  9. 1 2 3 Varvitsiotis, Eleni "George Logothetis: Above all, Greece is the border of the West" (Greek). Kathimerini 14 February 2016.
  10. ↑ George Michael Logothetis. CompaniesintheUK.co.uk.
  11. ↑ ed. Hughes, Patrick; Davies, Ian F. Highgate School Register 1833-1988 (7th ed.). p. 433.
  12. 1 2 2015 Oxi Day Foundation Gala Keynote Speech - George Logothetis (3:10–6:30). Oxi Day Foundation. November 5, 2015.
  13. 1 2 Rothman, Andrea. "Libra Buys AgustaWestland Helicopters to Start Leasing Business". Bloomberg News. February 12, 2012.
  14. ↑ Lomar Shipping Limited – Profile at Bloomberg Businessweek.
  15. 1 2 Papapostolou, Anastasios. "Deree Commencement: 500 Graduates and a Moving Speech by Libra CEO". Greek Reporter. July 5, 2013.
  16. 1 2 Pappas, Gregory C. "Vision Without Implementation Is Just a Hallucination: The Amazing Case of George Logothetis". Huffington Post. July 12, 2013.
  17. ↑ George Logothetis – Profile at Bloomberg Businessweek.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 "50 Wealthiest Greek Americans". The National Herald. March 2, 2013. p. 12.
  19. 1 2 Christodoulou, Kostis. "George Logothetis: the 39-year-old expat businessman that even Onassis would envy" (Greek). News 247. March 16, 2014.
  20. ↑ "George Logothetis: The best advice I ever got". Fortune. October 25, 2012.
  21. ↑ Brady, Diane. "Executive on Greece: 'What Everyone Needs Now Is Certainty'". Businessweek. June 19, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Lomar Shipping Makes Super Deal". Capital.gr. December 8, 2009.
  23. ↑ "Logothetis family marks return to shipping with $325m buy". TradeWinds. June 3, 2010.
  24. ↑ Saul, Jonathan. "Conglomerate Libra ramps up container ship buying, bets on upturn". Reuters. December 11, 2014.
  25. ↑ The Libra Group – Profile at Businessweek.
  26. 1 2 3 Saul, Jonathan. "Interview - Libra Group invests in Greece as economy turns up". Reuters. March 19, 2014.
  27. 1 2 3 Dabilis, Andy. "Libra Group Stepping Up Investments in Greece". Greek Reporter. March 10, 2013.
  28. ↑ Saul, Jonathan. "Funds buy shipping loans from capital-conscious banks". Reuters. December 18, 2013.
  29. ↑ Papapostolou, Anastasios. "George Logothetis from Davos: '2014 is the Year of Greek Growth'". Greek Reporter. January 26, 2014.
  30. ↑ Papapostolou, Anastasios."Libra Group Announces Internship Program with Greek America Foundation". Greek Reporter. July 3, 2011.
  31. ↑ Seiradaki, Emmanouela. "Libra Group & The American College of Greece Launch Unique International Internship Program". Greek Reporter. September 29, 2011.
  32. ↑ Papapostolou, Anastasios. "10 Greeks of Diaspora that Left Their Mark in 2011". Greek Reporter. December 31, 2011.
  33. ↑ Papapostolou, Anastasios. "2014 Libra Program: Get Your Dream Internship!". Greek Reporter. January 17, 2014.
  34. 1 2 George Logothetis – Chairman and CEO, The Libra Group. CSR in Greece. CSRinGreece.gr.
  35. ↑ Libra Group Internships. LibraInternship.com.
  36. ↑ "Miami Dade College Joins Forces with the Libra Group to Offer Unique International Internship Opportunities". Miami Dade College. November 3, 2014.
  37. 1 2 3 "Libra Group Announces Partnership with President Obama's My Brother's Keeper Alliance". PR Newswire. May 4, 2015.
  38. 1 2 3 Papapostolou, Anastasios. "The Underdog Who Surprised the System". Greek Reporter. September 10, 2014.
  39. ↑ "AUEB's MBA Programme of the Departments of Business Administration and Marketing & Communication is pleased to announce the Libra Group Fellowship Programme". Athens University of Economics and Business. June 6, 2013.
  40. ↑ Libra Group – Global Responsibility.
  41. ↑ Libra Group – Education Programmes.
  42. 1 2 Papapostolou, Anastasios. "The Hellenic Initiative Raises $1.9 Million for #OneGreece". Greek Reporter. October 5, 2013.
  43. ↑ "Who We Are". HellenicInitiative.com.
  44. ↑ The Hellenic Initiative Board of Directors: Executive Committee. HellenicInitiative.com.
  45. ↑ Papapostolou, Anastasios. "Hellenic Initiative Launches Entrepreneurship Award with €5M Commitment". Greek Reporter. November 28, 2012.
  46. ↑ Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award. HellenicAward.com.
  47. 1 2 3 Papapostolou, Anastasios. "Seleni Institute Opens Its Doors to Help Women". Greek Reporter. May 6, 2013.
  48. ↑ "About Us". Seleni Institute. Seleni.org.
  49. 1 2 "Alumni Profile: Nitzia Embiricos Logothetis – Alumna Founds Maternal Health Institute in NYC". The Owl (newsletter), College Year in Athens. Fall 2013.
  50. 1 2 3 4 Seleni Institute: Board of Directors. Seleni.org. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  51. ↑ "Seleni Institute: A Place to Make Whole". Greek American Girl. September 18, 2013.
  52. 1 2 Papapostolou, Anastasios. "Leadership 100 Celebrates 30 Years; Honors Seleni, SNF, Furris". Greek Reporter. February 20, 2014.
  53. ↑ Q&A with President Bill Clinton – Introductory remarks by George Logothetis. 2012 Concordia Summit.
  54. ↑ Papapostolou, Anastasios. "Bill Clinton: 'There is Nothing Wrong with Greece – Issue Bonds'". Greek Reporter. September 28, 2012.
  55. ↑ 2012 Agenda, The 2nd Annual Concordia Summit, September 27, 2012. Concordia Summit.
  56. ↑ Lambrou, Evan C. "Concordia's 2013 Summit of Hope". The National Herald. October 3, 2013. (reprint of ).
  57. ↑ "George Logothetis delivers opening remarks at The Concordia Summit 2013". The Concordia Summit on Facebook.
  58. ↑ "The 2013 Concordia Summit Highlights". TheConcordiaSummit.org.
  59. ↑ "Board Member George Logothetis on Empowering Young People". Greek America Foundation.
  60. ↑ Papapostolou, Anastasios. "George Logothetis: 'What We Have Built Has Been Underwritten by Philotimo'". Greek Reporter. May 28, 2012.
  61. ↑ "Inspired by Greece". TheSocializers.com. 2012.
  62. ↑ "The 2011 Gabby Awards Weekend Wrap-Up". GabbyAwards.com.
  63. ↑ 2013 Gabby Awards – George Logothetis. Greek America Foundation.
  64. ↑ George Logothetis – Profile at Huffington Post.
  65. ↑ Logothetis, George. "Greece Is Also Having a Social Crisis". Huffington Post. May 24, 2012.
  66. ↑ Logothetis, George. "Memories of Yesterday, or Hopes for Tomorrow?". Huffington Post. October 9, 2013.
  67. ↑ Logothetis, George. "A Defining Moment: Immigration Reform in 2014". Huffington Post. February 5, 2014.
  68. ↑ Who We Are – Board and Leadership. My Brother's Keeper Alliance. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  69. ↑ Papapostolou, Anastasios. "Libra Group Announces Partnership with President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance". Greek Reporter. May 5, 2015.
  70. 1 2 "President Obama Visits the Bronx to Launch My Brother’s Keeper Alliance". BronxMama.com. May 5, 2015.
  71. 1 2 "DEREE’S LIBRA INTERNS MEET PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA". Touch Base. American College of Greece. Issue 22, January 2015.
  72. ↑ LEDA News. Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America. Fall 2014. p. 6.
  73. ↑ 16th Annual Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum. Capital Link. CapitalLink.com. December 1, 2014. p. 5.
  74. ↑ Seatrade Awards – 2015 Winners. Seatrade. May 6, 2015.
  75. ↑ "Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards". Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  76. ↑ George M. Logothetis. National Innovation Conference, 2012 Presenters. GreekAmerica.org.
  77. ↑ "The Greek tycoon who buys everything that moves!" (Greek). Espresso. March 30, 2014.

External links

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