Board of Directors

President

Constantine (Kostas) Dervenis

Kostas joined the Martial Arts world at the age of ten, beginning with judo and boxing. Over the past half-century, he has trained in karate, judo, jujutsu, ninpo taijutsu, kung fu, and tai chi chuan, achieving high dan ranks in the Japanese arts and having studied Chinese martial arts with world-renowned masters. He has been responsible for training hundreds of students around the globe.

In 1984, while studying in Atlanta GA, Kostas became a student of the well-known weapons-master and Western-style fencing researcher Hank Reinhardt, driving an early and fundamental interest in the Historical European Martial Arts. Kostas published his first essay on martial arts and their history in 1985 in the United States (Inside Kung Fu magazine) and has since then published several hundred articles and books internationally. His work was referenced by Bettany Hughes in her book, "Helen of Troy," and he was cited as an expert on Bronze Age combat in the accompanying Channel 4 documentary. Kostas’ book "The Martial Arts of Ancient Greece" has been included as a reference for the degree program at the US Army War College.

Kostas has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Connecticut and a master’s in materials engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. In 1990 he was the Engineering Manager for the Greek F-16 program, and in 1992 decided to settle in Greece, working in the academic, telecommunications and software sectors since that time. He has lectured on defense and security matters for the European Security and Defense College and NATO and has been honored by the Hellenic community in Brussels (Belgium) for his contributions to Pammachon.

Vice-President

George Papabeis

George started his martial arts training in Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do) Moo Duk Kwan in 1978 under master C.I. Kim in Mt Clements Michigan. He continued studies with master Arthur Pryor in Ft Lauderdale Florida, under whom he received his instructor certification. He has been continuously involved with martial arts all his life, with an emphasis on their educational and societal benefits.

Mr. Papabeis Is a polymath, SCUBA, drones, animator, photographer, film maker, naturalist, musician, and sound recordist. He holds an Associate’s degree in media production and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Animation. He is a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and has served as Public Affairs officer, Boat Crew, and Operations Officer.

Secretary

Petros Leonidas Tsirigotis

Petros began his martial arts training in 1980. He has studied numerous forms of armed and unarmed combat; taught martial arts in commercially successful schools and after school programs; developed and taught self-defense and crime prevention programs; competed, and served as a judge, in various tournaments (local, national and international); was a member of the 2002 U.S. Boxe Francaise [Kickboxing] Savate Team; a former Vice President of the United States Savate Federation; and the author of Developing, Body, Mind and Spirit – A Parent’s Guide to Martial Arts Training for Kids. Pre-Covid Petro taught Pammachon at the Hellenic Center in Bethesda, MD.

Petros is a former Washington, DC Economist and Wall Street executive. He is currently a corporate attorney in a prestigious global law firm.

Petros has a BA from Boston University with concentrations in Economics and Political Science, and a minor in International Relations; a JD from Catholic University; and a LLM from Georgetown University in International Business and Economic Law and a Certificate in International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution.

Treasurer

Ioannis (Yianni) Sampalis

A martial arts enthusiast with a lifelong dedication to mastering various disciplines. From the age of ten, Yianni embarked on a journey that led through Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do, and self-taught exploration into Japanese and Okinawan karate (Shotokan, Uechi Ryu), ITF and WTF TaeKwonDo, as well as internal and external Chinese systems (Northern Wu TaiChi, Hsing Yi, Bagua, White Crane, Shaolin Long Fist). Training extended further to English bare-knuckle boxing and French Savate. In London, under the tutelage of Victor Kan, a student of Yip Man, Yianni delved into Classical Ving Tsun. Additionally, skills were honed in Capoeira Regional under Mestre Dula from Portugal.

Yianni's academic journey culminated in a Bachelor's degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent at Canterbury.

With a solid foundation in Computer Systems Engineering, Yianni ventured into the online retail sector in 2004 as a Software Developer. Currently, he serves as an AWS Cloud Architect and Developer for a leading online retailer in the US.

Board Member – Affiliations and Technical Committee

Evangelos (Vangelis) Koutras

Vangelis was born in Volos, Greece and has been involved with combat sports and physical education for most of his life. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Sports from the Aristoteleio University of Thessaloniki and a Master’s in Hygiene and Safety from the Medical School of Thrace University. Vangelis holds black belts in taekwondo, karate, judo and Brazilian jujitsu and is certified by the Ministry of Sports and Education in Greece to teach judo and pankration. He serves in the Greek Army as a Reserve Sub Lieutenant of the Armored Corps.

Mr. Koutras has a keen interest in grappling and wrestling and is a member of the World Pankration Committee of the United World Wrestling federation, the international governing body for the Olympic sport of amateur wrestling. He also serves as Secretary General for the Hellenic Tug of War federation.