SEATTLE, WA – Hosted by the Hellenes of the Northwest, and the local Juan de Fuca AHEPA Chapter, Consul General of Greece in San Francisco Grigorios Tassiopoulos completed a three-day official visit with his wife to Seattle in early October. The Consulate represents Greek interests in Northern California, Norther Nevada, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

Consul General Tassiopoulos is a career diplomat with more than two decades of experience in international relations. He is a graduate of both Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the London School of Economics. In 2001, he entered the Diplomatic Academy of the Hellenic Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, beginning a distinguished diplomatic career.

His overseas assignments have included senior positions at the Embassies of Greece in Tehran, Havana, Jakarta, and Beijing. From 2015 to 2018, he served as Consul General of Greece in Guangzhou, China, the capital and largest city of Guangdong Province. He subsequently served as Consul General of Greece in Mariupol, Ukraine, from 2019 through March 2021. In August 2024, Tassiopoulos assumed his current post in San Francisco.

Consul General of Greece in San Francisco Grigoris Tassiopoulos answering questions at a Greek Community forum in Seattle, WA. Photo: Courtesy of Hellenes of the Northwest

On arrival at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the Consul General and his wife Kayci were met by John T. John, President of the Hellenes of the Northwest, and Paul Plumis. They proceeded to the nearby Corporate HQ of Alaska Airlines for a luncheon and meeting with senior Alaska staff including Joshua Rogers, Manager International Affairs; Harry Cheema, Senior Public Affairs Manager; and several other executives. Much of the discussion focused on Alaska’s plan to start flights in the Spring of 2027 non-stop from Seattle to Athens. This will be the only direct airline service to Greece from anywhere on the West Coast.

Later in the afternoon, the Consul General and his wife enjoyed two classic Seattle sights, the Space Needle and the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum.

In the evening, the guests attended a dinner at Ivar’s Salmon House restaurant on Lake Union with local business and professional members of the local Greek-American community along with several AHEPA leaders, District Governor Chris Saites; Supreme Governor for Region 8 Dr. George McClure (Tacoma); and Supreme President E. Chris Kaitson from Houston.

The next morning was focused on a visit to the University of Washington to learn about UW’s successful Hellenic Studies Program, part of the Jackson School of International Studies. The representatives of AHEPA joined, along with retired UW administrator Gus  Kravas and President of the Greek-American Historical Museum of Washington State Angelo Xidias. Among those presenting information were Dr. Danny Hoffman (Director of Jackson School), Vice Provost for Global Affairs Ahmad Ezzwddine; Nektaria Klapaki, Lecturer in Hellenic Studies; Guntis Smidchens, Director Center for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies CEREAS; Olga Levaniouk, Chair, Hellenic Studies (Greece Study Abroad and CEREAS); Devin Naar, Isacc Alhadeff Professor of Sephardic Jewish Studies; Alex Holman, Chair of Classics (Sephardic Studies and Classics); and a group of graduate students. Taso Lagos, Interim Director for the Executive Masters of International Studies, served as faculty host for lunch with students interested in Greek politics and diplomacy. The Consul General took their questions and had meaningful dialogue.

Business and professional leaders of the Greek community held a dinner at Ivar’s Salmon House in honor of Consul General of Greece in San Francisco Grigoris Tassiopoulos’ visit. Photo: Courtesy of Hellenes of the Northwest

In the afternoon, the Consul General and his wife visited the two Greek Orthodox Churches in Seattle. First was St. Demetrios where they were greeted by and given a tour by Fr. Photios Dumont. Then they went to the Church of the Assumption and were welcomed by Fr. Dean Kouldukis. While there, they also toured the space occupied mainly as storage for the Greek-American Museum guided by the founder John Nicon who noted the many oral histories that have been collected.

An open community forum with the Consul General took place that evening at Assumption. Following opening remarks by Tassiopoulos, there was a lively question and answer session, much of which focused on the process for Americans of Greek heritage to obtain Greek citizenship.

The evening concluded with dinner at another classic Seattle seafood restaurant, Duke’s, also on Lake Union, for parish community leaders and AHEPA officers with the Consul General.

On their final day, the Consul General and his wife toured Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market and enjoyed yet another seafood meal at Sunfish Fish and Chips in West Seattle.

At the final session before returning to San Francisco the guests met with (James) Dow Constantine, former King County Executive (2009-2025) and current Chief Executive Officer for Sound Transit (serving King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties). Constantine is of Greek descent.

John T. John, President of the Hellenes of the Northwest, stated: “It was an honor to welcome Consul General Tassiopoulos on his first visit to Seattle and for him to meet with valued leadership both in business and education and especially to engage with members within the larger Greek community.”