ENCINO—The Armenian National Committee of America, San Fernando Valley West Chapter has announced that it will be honoring long time community leader Armand Keosian with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The award will be presented to Keosian at the ANCA-SFW inaugural banquet which will be held on April 7 at 5p.m. at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City.
“I’m humbled to be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the ANCA-SFW Chapter” stated Keosian. “Hai Tahd has always been a natural calling for me and I look forward to celebrating an evening of Hai Tahd with our community” concluded Keosian.
Armand’s life long Hye Tad involvement began when he became a member of the Los Angeles Musa Dagh AYF Chapter in the early 1950’s. His active participation in community activities led to him joining the english speaking Keri Gomideh of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and later in the Rostom Gomideh. In the 1960’s he served on the Board of Trustees of the Holy Martyrs Apostolic Church in Encino which helped to establish the first Armenian high school in the United States, Holy Martyrs Ferrahian High School, in 1964. In the 1970’s he became a leading member of the Armenian National Committee and became Chairman of the Western Region in the 1990’s. He served in almost every capacity in service of the Armenian community in the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s continuously working to advance the Armenian Cause by organizing the community, speaking at political events and meeting with National and local elected officials. Armand’s love and dedication to the Armenian Community continued throughout his life when he became Chairman of the Executive Council of the Western Prelacy for an unprecedented 12 year period. His sacrifice and hard work for the Armenian Community was recognized in 1984 by his Holiness Catholicos Karekin I of the Great House of Cilicia who presented him with the Prince of Cilicia medal.
“We can think of no better candidate to honor with the Lifetime Achievement Award than Armand Keosian at our inaugural banquet,” stated ANCA-SFW Executive Board Member Raffi Sarkissian. “He has dedicated his personal and professional career to the Armenian Community, never hesitating to lend his time and expertise to advancing our cause,” concluded Sarkissian.
The Armenian National Committee of America, San Fernando Valley West advances the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the area’s Armenian American community and promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.
For more information visit Facebook.com/ANCASFW and twitter.com/ANCASFW. To purchase tickets to the Inaugural Banquet please call (818) 533-1918 or email info@ancasfw.org.