Armen Avanessians

Armen A. Avanessians joins Fund for Armenian Relief Board of Directors

Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) Press Office

630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849

Armen A. Avanessians joins Fund for Armenian Relief'sBoard of Directors

New York - The Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) is pleased to announce that Mr. Armen A. Avanessians, a partner at Goldman Sachs & Co. and a member of Columbia University's Board of Trustees, has joined the organization as the newest member of its Board of Directors.

`Mr. Avanessians has been one of the visionary supporters of FAR, for years sponsoring one of our most effective programs in Armenia - ANSEF', said Randy Sapah-Gulian, FAR's Chairman. `He is very familiar with our mission, values and purpose. We are excited about him joining the FAR Board of Directors, and look forward to working with him and using his experience and talents to advance FAR's strategic priorities in promoting education and innovation in Armenia. This work is not only about assisting the younger generation of Armenia in achieving their career goals, but is also critical to the nation's ability to become competitive in the global marketplace.'

Mr. Avanessians has always been keen on supporting education and science. He provided an endowment to the Alexander and Hermine Avanessians Professorship in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research in memory of his parents. In 2006, he created the Janette and Armen Avanessians Diversity Award to enhance diversity in departmental, school and university programs at Columbia University.

"Armenia still needs the encouragement of the Diaspora to know that people out here care about their future," Mr. Avanessians said. "They can build up their country themselves. They have the brainpower and the knowledge. They just need a slight boost from us. I am honored to join the FAR Board and look forward to working with my colleagues in serving the people of Armenia."