George C. Galanopoulos was born in Athens and graduated from DEREE – The American College of Greece in 1994 with a double major in Management & Organizational Behavior, and Marketing Management. He earned a Master’s degree in Shipping Trade & Finance from City University Business School, London and he returned in Greece for his military service in the Hellenic Navy while earning a Bachelor degree in Theology from the National University of Athens.
During his studies at DEREE, he worked in shipping at Karageorgis Lines, and in industry at Daniel Graphic Arts S.A. After his discharge from the Navy, he joined Panagopoulos’ Superfast Ferries, which at the time was rapidly expanding in the Mediterranean, the Baltic, and the North Sea regions.
Following a one-year project at the ELTHEA, managing theaters such as the iconic Pallas, he returned to Greece’s foremost industry of shipping, and joined Angelicoussis Shipping Group at Maran Tankers Management in 2008, before being promoted to Senior Accountant of Maran Gas Maritime.
George loves exploring the limits of mind and body, by means of traveling, studying history, enjoying a good conversation, playing football, and running.
Q&A
Q.: What are three enduring lessons you learned during your studies at DEREE?
- Be efficient and plan ahead (the registration experience: trying to book the classes that you want to attend, at convenient hours, with the professors that you like, taking into consideration the prerequisites and without having all the exams on the same day!)
- Use all the resources available (library, computers and sports facilities).
- Reach out to different people and enjoy student life!
Q.: Describe DEREE in three words.
Knowledge, Inspiration, Emotion.
Q.: One of your favorite DEREE memories?
Having been awarded the Student Council’s Special Recognition Award for extraordinary achievements at the Prom. It was an amazing moment that encompassed the support and hard work of many people; from being elected with the most votes as Student Council’s Vice President, to assisting in the success of the humanitarian aid mission to Northern Epirus, to achieving legal status for the Student Union and, of course, to organizing the best trips and parties of our college years!
Q.: What do you miss most from your days at DEREE?
Student life!
And… The mailboxes in the main corridor, remember???
Q.: What was your favorite spot on campus?
On the lawn, on a spring day, with an air of youthful excitement and full of commotion.
Q.: Have you kept in touch with any of your classmates?
Yes, I have. My wife is also a Deree graduate, as well as many of our ‘koumpari’.
Q.: How did Deree help prepare you for your professional life?
It opened a window to the “real” world of business through its assignments and projects.
Q.: What’s the greatest piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Hard work pays off.
Q.: What (or who) inspires you most?
I would say, with a big smile, that daily my wife gives me inspiration!
On an more philosophical note, I would add the Diogenes/Alexander duo!
Q.: Your motto in life?
«Γηράσκω αεί διδασκόμενος»
