Vassilios Katsos

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Alumnus Profiled: Vassilios Katsos
Graduated: PIERCE '91
Lives in: Athens, Greece
Current Position: President & C.E.O. , Pharmathen S.A.


“Look closely at the present you are building, it should look closely like the future you are dreaming!”


VASSILIOS KATSOS was born in Athens. He graduated from PIERCE College and continued his studies at the University of Athens, Faculty of Pharmacy. Since 1993 he became President of the Board of Directors at Pharmathen Pharmaceuticals as one of the major shareholders. Under his leadership, the strategic restructuring of the family company began in 1993, placing emphasis first on strengthening the company’s presence in the Greek market and thereafter on the expansion of international activities.

Today, Vassilios Katsos acts as President & C.E.O. of Pharmathen, a leading Pharma Company with a global reach in more than 85 countries. The company has performed an impressive growth, reaching sales of €180 million while employing 900 people in 2013. Through his intense entrepreneurial activities he sits on the board of various companies he has invested in and is actively engaged in the boards of Greek Exporters Association, Greek Generic Association, Association for Entepreuneurship, Athens Chamber of Commerce and others.


INTERVIEW

Q.: What are three enduring lessons you learned during your studies at PIERCE?

Challenge – Connect – Commit

Q.: Describe PIERCE in three words.

Life enduring experience

Q.: What is one of your favorite PIERCE memories?

That was definitely our Graduation day. The most memorable day of my life, full of pride, full of anxiety for the new things to come in life, full of sorrow for leaving PIERCE and friends.

Q.: What do you miss most from your days at PIERCE?

During PIERCE days you were walking every day in an environment full of friends and teachers willing to help you, support you all the way and make you a better person in all ways.

Q.: Where was your favorite spot on campus?

The garden outside the cafeteria during sunny days.

Q.: Who was your favorite professor and why?

Mrs. Manta was unique! Although her classes were not my favorite, she motivated me to stay interested.

Q.: Have you kept in touch with any of your classmates?

We keep seeing each other on various social and business occasions. Some of us do manage to meet more often having kept long term friendship since high school years.

Q.: Did having studied at PIERCE help you during your later studies and beyond?

PIERCE gave me all the background, the right methodology and skills, vital for life beyond high school, such as teamwork and working with timeliness.

Q.: What's the greatest piece of advice you've ever received?

Non ministrari sed ministrare. A motto that I did not understand back in the school years but made perfect sense to be during my life.

Q.: What (or who) inspires you?

Working in highly challenging periods and environment with high level of opportunities as well as threats to be managed.

Q.: Your motto in life?

Look closely at the present you are building, it should look closely like the future you are dreaming!


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