I am pleased to announce the appointment of Levon Ariyan as the new Chairman of Armenia Fund USA, Eastern Region Affiliate. I have enjoyed serving as Chairman and being involved in the completion of many meaningful projects. With the partnership of the Armenian Medical Fund, we completed the construction of the Martuni Regional Hospital which provides quality medical care for over 25,000 Armenians in the Martuni region of Artsakh. We completed the installation of a new water system in the village of Karmir Shuka, also in Artsakh. We have held medical training seminars with our pioneering Telemedicine project, as well as provided support for orphanages, scholarships and numerous other smaller projects in the medical and education sphere.
However, our most ambitious project, which opened earlier this month, was the complete reconstruction of the Tchaikovsky Music School in Yerevan. This project will provide a modern school facility for over 600 students and allow them an inspirational environment to pursue their music careers and gain a valuable education. Located in the heart of Yerevan, the project was completed on-time and on-budget. I urge you to visit the school when you are in Armenia. You will see firsthand the important work that Armenia Fund does for our nation.
Levon Stephen Ariyan is a first generation American-Armenian. His parents and brothers were very involved in St. Mary Armenian Church of Livingston, NJ as well as the local community. Levon is the son of the late Levon Mardiros and Joyce Ariyan, who always instilled pride in their Armenian history and culture, but more importantly, as Christians.
He was raised to give back to his community. His parents and uncles actively supported earthquake victims after the tragedy in 1988, which left a lasting impression upon him to this day. Levon has continued his parents’ charitable legacy in the Armenian community, as he has served as Chairman of the Parish Council for St. Mary Armenian Church since 2012. He has also served on the Executive Committee of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of New Jersey for two years.
In 1995, Levon began his career as an entrepreneur. Initially working as a sales representative for a Worldwide Express franchise in New Jersey, Levon soon started his own business and after years of hard work, with his business partner, expanded to several franchises and dozens of employees. Since 2013 Levon has served as a Board Advisor to Alef Mobitech, a startup Mobile Technology company based in New Jersey. Knowing Levon personally for many years, he is a dedicated Armenian and is fully committed to building on the work of Armenia Fund. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and three children.
I thank all of our donors and supporters without whom none of these projects would have been possible. It has been an honor to serve as Chairman of Armenia Fund USA. I look forward to continuing my work as a board member with Levon and the Board as they plan for more new and exciting developments in Armenia and Artsakh.
Khoren Bandazian