NEW YORK—It was a farewell ceremony, organized by Armenia Fund USA in honor of Khoren Bandazian’s friend, His Excellency Ambassador Garen Nazarian, the permanent representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations. Yet, to the delight of many guests and dignitaries in attendance, the esteemed guest of honor turned the tables by taking a few moments to graciously present Bandazian with the prestigious Republic of Armenia Presidential Award.
Bandazian receiving the medal
The UN ambassador, who would be leaving his post at the UN and returning to Armenia shortly after the farewell ceremony, opened his presentation by saying, “Khoren, we finally have an opportunity to publically thank you, my friend, for your dedication and compassion, and to thank you, in the presence of our reverend clergy, the members and leaders of the Armenian community, and the Nagorno-Karabagh representative who is present here…to present you with the 20th Anniversary of Himnadram commemorative Medal, an award from the President Serge Sarkisian, and to thank you for your service to the nation.”
Earlier in his remarks, the much-admired Ambassador Nazarian expressed his appreciation for Armenia Fund USA, of which Khoren Bandazian has been chairman since 2011. “The Armenia Fund has touched so many lives and has reached so many families in Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh,” Nazarian said. “When establishing the Fund more than two decades ago, we all came together in defense of our self-determination. Now we can reaffirm that we are united again, under the auspices of Armenia Fund, to ensure and bolster that unalienable right.”
Bandazian has been an impressive figure in the Armenian-American community for many years. After eight distinguished years of service as the secretary of the Board of Directors of Armenia Fund USA, he assumed the chairmanship. To this position, Bandazian brought a wealth of executive experience gained in his professional life, as well as from many other Armenian organizations and causes he has associated himself with since his youth.
Bandazian had served on various committees organized by the Armenian Diocese and the Armenian Prelacy, such as the 1700th “Anniversary of Christianity in Armenia” committee, to name but a few. He also served on the Board of St. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church of Ridgefield, N.J. In 2007, Bandazian chaired Armenia Fund USA’s 15th anniversary gala at the United Nations, to raise much-needed funds in support of the organization’s efforts.
On a parallel track, he has built a highly successful career as a real estate attorney. Bandazian recently rejoined the firm of Winne, Banta, Hetherington, Basralian & Kahn in New Jersey as a principal in its real estate and corporate and business services practices. (In its public announcement, the firm mentioned that Bandazian is “active as a leader in the Greater New York Armenian community, donating his time to improving the lives of the people living in Armenia.”)
April has been an auspicious month for Bandazian as he continues to serve as Board chairman of Armenia Fund USA and as chairman of the Eastern Region Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee. By all accounts, he possesses the drive, capability, and organization skills to manage both of these important endeavors.
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