Demetri Argyropoulos,
Founder & CEO
In the role of Chief Executive Officer, Demetri's principle responsibilities revolve around strategy, performance, implementation and corporate governance for Prima Worldwide.
Demetri is highly regarded in the global business community for his proven track-record in building successful relationships. By establishing value, commonalities and rapport, Demetri creates an atmosphere of trust that enables relationships to flourish. Demetri also performs a vital role in helping to succinctly negotiate and close deals between parties.
Demetri has been involved in forging relationships for multi-hundred million dollar deals across a range of projects including introductions to ultra high-net worth individuals and family offices, venture capital groups, and financial institutions, introductions to merger and acquisition opportunities, divestitures of assets, and board of director placements. He has been the catalyst for these deals to come to fruition.
Demetri's ability to build relationships has continued with his interest in social concerns. He is able to facilitate high-level relationships between non-profits and non-governmental agencies, foundations and donors, political/social leaders, and business leaders. He has raised tens of millions of dollars for charitable work and has convened the highest caliber of global leaders on numerous social issues affecting our world, such as poverty, global health, religious conflicts, and environmental concerns.
Demetri is working with numerous multi-national foundations, charities and non-government organizations. He is a frequent supporter of Former President Bill Clinton and the Clinton Foundation, having attended the Clinton Global Initiative every year since the inaugural conference in September 2005. In recognition of his achievements, Demetri has been selected as a 2010 Gusi Peace Prize Laureate in 2010.He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Museum of Democracy and sits on the California Republican Advisory Council. On a local level, Demetri supports a number of charities within the greater Santa Barbara region, including the Santa Barbara Historical Society, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Council, 1199 Foundation, Lotus Land Foundation, American Lung Association, Muscular Dystrophy Foundation, Westmont College, Unity Shop, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Marymount School, Santa Barbara Symphony, American Hellenic Institute, and The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. He also is a member of YPO-WPO International.
Demetri has successfully involved his political interest with his professional career, initially volunteering on the 1992 Mike Huffington congressional campaign and the 1996 Bill Clinton election campaign and as of late has been involved in many campaigns both for state and federal candidates.
Demetri is an honorary Naval Aviator and also has been recognized as the 'Top 40 business leaders under 40' by the Pacific Coast Business Times and has been awarded the 2003 National Leadership Award by the National Republican Congressional Committee and the 2003 Business Man of the Year Award also by the National Republican Congressional Committee. He is also an executive partner on the Board of Atigeo.
Demetri graduated from Westmont College with a degree in International Economics and Business, and studied International Business at the American University in Washington , D.C. and Georgetown University 's American Government and Foreign Policy program, and the International Business Institute's Europe Program. In 2009, Demetri satisfactorily completed the first year of the MA of Spiritual Psychology Program at the University of Santa Monica
Below is a selection of quotes from notable individuals on Demetri Argyropoulos
Thomas "Mack" McLarty, Chief of Staff for President Clinton
I met Demetri during my time in the Clinton Administration, and have seen him on regular occasions since through the Clinton Global Initiative that he has attended since the CGI's Inaugural meeting in 2005. Demetri is a dynamic entrepreneur, with an engaging personality and impressive record of relationship-building, both through the business he founded Prima Worldwide and in his civic endeavors.
Timothy Phillips, Special Advisor to President Clinton
I am enthusiastically supporting Demetri's nomination to the Young Global Leaders program due to his exceptional and unusual leadership skills and my confidence that he will emerge as an important voice for his generation in the United States and globally. Demetri established a highly successful company in his early 20's that continues to grow at an impressive pace and he has leveraged his network of contacts in the private sector to encourage successful business entrepreneurs to engage in philanthropy and to do so in significant and meaningful ways.
Richard Stromback, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Ecology Coating
I have known Demetri for a number of years via the Clinton Global Initiative. His participation within the initiative has been quite impressive and I know has had a significant impact to the global community. Demetri's passion is building relationships and I have seen the impact and resultant change for communities, local, national and international through his relationship facilitation. Demetri applies himself on many social causes and impacts in a dramatic way.
John Nevado, President of Nevado Roses
Demetri is one of the most networked and high-powered individuals I know and he gets things done. He heads up Prima Worldwide, a leading global consultancy with over 30 clients worldwide and is the recipient of numerous rewards.