The National Hellenic Museum’s Executive Chairman, John Calamos, grew up on Chicago’s West Side where his father emigrated from Greece. He developed a strong work ethic at a young age, working alongside his parents in the small grocery store they owned. The first in his family to attend college, Calamos graduated from Illinois Tech earning a B.A. in Economics and an M.B.A. in Finance. Through the school’s USAF ROTC program, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. During the Vietnam War, he served as a Forward Air Controller where he recorded over 400 missions in combat. He spent five years on active duty flying B-52 bombers and twelve years in the Reserves flying A-37 jet fighters. He retired a Major. In 1977, he founded Calamos Investments, a global asset management firm. As a pioneer in convertible securities, Calamos launched one of the first convertible funds in 1985 and one of the first liquid alternative funds in 1990, reflecting a focus on innovation that continues to this day. The firm currently oversees billions of dollars in assets. An active philanthropist, Mr. Calamos is a driving force at the National Hellenic Museum.
John Calamos is a 2018 National Hellenic Society Excellence Award winner.
