Sinan Sinanian
Vice president of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) (current 2011).
Coowner of Sinanian Development Inc., based in Tarzana. Sinanian Development Inc. has implemented at least $249 million of construction for the L.A. Community College District, and been the contractor for many other public and private construction projects.
Born in Zahle, Lebanon. Graduated from the American University of Beirut. Moved to California in 1983.
- Served as chairman of the board of the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School in Canoga Park, California since 1991
- first elected to the AGBU Central Board of Directors in 1992
- on the board of American University of Armenia
- on the board of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
- on the board of the Ararat Home of Los Angeles.
Sinanian is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Angele, and their two children, Tamar and Serge.
AGBU VP Sinan Sinanian Honored by Armenian President
AGBU Press Office 55 East 59th Street New York, NY 10022-1112 Phone: 212.319.6383, x118 Fax: 212.319.6507 Email: press@agbu.org Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, October 21, 2011
AGBU Vice President Sinan Sinanian Honored by Armenian President During 20th Anniversary of Armenian Independence Celebrations in Los Angeles
On Sunday, September 25, 2011, the president of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, attended a banquet at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the independence of Armenia. During the official gala, President Sargsyan awarded AGBU Central Board of Directors vice president Sinan Sinanian with the distinguished Anania Shirakatsi Medal for his decades of service to the community and support of cultural and educational endeavors.
Sinanian is a prominent leader in Southern California's Armenian community. Most recently, he chaired the committee to realize the establishment of House of Armenia, a planned cultural center in Glendale and the headquarters of the Consulate of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles.
In his opening remarks, Sinanian thanked President Sargsyan for visiting the Armenian community in Los Angeles despite his limited time and busy schedule, which Sinanian considered an indication of the great potential the community presents and the significant role that it should play. The honoree went on to say, "It is an honored tradition when commemorating historic events to erect a landmark stone that stays for posterity. Earlier today the president inaugurated the House of Armenia, which was realized through the joint efforts of our community. We believe that the House of Armenia, while being the official residence of the diplomatic representation of the Republic of Armenia, is destined to be the showcase for what is beautiful in our homeland and a permanent exhibition hall for its ongoing achievements. That edifice will be the symbolic landmark stone erected on behalf of our community on this proud occasion of the 20th anniversary of the independent Republic of Armenia." Sinanian continued, "It is our wish that every time we pass by the House of Armenia, or step foot in it, we be reminded of our collective responsibility to continuously help and support our homeland."
Eight hundred Los Angeles-area Armenians and numerous prominent government officials -- including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Los Angeles County Supervisors Michael Antonovich and Zev Yaroslavsky -- attended the gala event.
President Sargsyan spoke during the evening's celebration about the strong feelings people have for Armenia and the idealism it embodies for all Armenians. "We have made enormous progress, but we have shortcomings that we all know very well. Who better than our fellow Armenians can help us in overcoming them," he said during his keynote address. He went on to explain that Armenia, like all other nations in the world, is striving to become freer. "Our times are symbolized by freedom; freedom which is achieved through competing and cooperating. There is a competition between individuals and competition between businesses. There is a competition between economies and competition between states. The more competitive we are, the greater freedom we will enjoy," said Sargsyan. "Armenia exists. Armenia is not a dream. It is a small but proud country in faraway mountains, which is gradually rising to her feet. It is a country that is now competing in the arena of the world's large and powerful players. A country that is encountering harsh problems, building new vital institutions, achieving successes, and pursuing new and greater goals. We all share these goals."
In addition to awarding the Anania Shirakatsi Medal to Sinan Sinanian, the Armenian president bestowed a number of other awards during the event, including the Order of Honor to Gerard Turpanjian for his significant services and contribution to the Republic of Armenia, the Order of Merit of the Second Degree to His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, for his dedication to and support of Armenia, and the Mkhitar Gosh medal to Tevan Arustamian, for his contribution to the development of diplomacy, law, and political science in Armenia.