The 2015 Kastellorizian of the Year for 2015 is Mr George Pappas, chancellor of Victoria University and chairman of the influential Committee of Melbourne.
The Kastellorizian Assocation of Victoria will honour their distinguished member at an official presentation on 17 October, which coincides with the celebration of the club’s 90th anniversary.
Mr Pappas, (nee Georgios Papageorgiou) was born in Rhodes on 11 June 1946 and migrated with his parents to Melbourne in 1952.
He completed his early school years at Spring Road Central School, before winning a place at the Melbourne High School.
In his matriculation year he was awarded Exhibitions in both Economics and British History, together with General Exhibition, Senior Government and Monash University Scholarships.
He graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Economics in 1968 and was awarded a Frank Knox Memorial Scholarship to study at Harvard University.
He graduated with distinction and soon after began working with the Boston Consulting Group until in 1976 he returned to Australia to form George Pappas and Associates.
Joined by former classmates at Harvard – Colin Carter, Ralph Evans and Maurie Koop – Pappas Carter Evans and Koop (PCEK) was formed in 1979.
After many successful years, PCEK merged with the global Boston Consulting Group in 1990, with Mr Pappas as vice president and head of the company’s Australian and New Zealand arm.
Training Australia’s most promising business minds has been a continuing activity for Mr Pappas, both at PCEK and BCG, combined with his service as chair of the advisory board of the Monash Institute of Medical Research.
Mr Pappas was appointed chairman of the Committee for Melbourne in 2005. In this role he leads a group whose members comprise a cross section of the city’s most influential companies and institutions.
As chairman of Energy Matters and through his involvement with the Ray Willis Leadership Program at Melbourne High School, Mr Pappas offers ongoing advice to aspiring scientists.
Currently he is involved in mentoring a group of young businessmen who are establishing one of Australia’s leading suppliers of clean energy products.
Mr Pappas’ term as chancellor of Victoria University ends in December 2019.