Alexi Giannoulias
Alexi Giannoulias is the Democratic nominee for Illinois State Treasurer in the 2006 election. Alexi’s financial expertise resonated strongly with voters in the March primary as he received 63 percent of the total vote and enjoyed strong support throughout the state. Giannoulias defeated , single handedly, the slate candidate of the Democratic Party of Illinois Knox County state's Attorney Paul Mangieri a candidate close-tied with housespeaker Mike Madigan.
Alexi is the youngest son of recently deceased Chicago banker Alexis Giannoulias a self-made Greek immigrant, who founded well known Broadway Bank in the late 1970's. The bank has received media criticism [citation needed] for loans made to alleged mobsters while Giannoulias worked there, altough He had no participation in the originating of such loans.
Alexi Giannoulias has received multiple endorsments, many of those from minority leaders such as senator Barack Obama, U.S congressman Luis Gutierrez and U.S Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. Alexi however has not received the endorsement of Ill. housespeaker Mike Madigan, chairman of the the Democratic Party of Illinois. He has fundraised over 3 million from supporters since he confirmed his candidacy.
Alexi: youngblood, a force to reckon with
In endorsing Alexi’s primary bid as an independent Democrat, the Chicago Sun-Times wrote, “Giannoulias could usher in a new era for state government, in that the person who winds up in charge actually has expertise in the field.” The Daily Herald endorsed Alexi on his “strength of banking and investment expertise suited to the office.”
As vice-president and senior loan officer at Broadway Bank, Alexi played a vital role on the bank’s management team that doubled its asset size to more than $750 million. Crain’s Chicago Business has rated Broadway the #1 Bank in Illinois for the past five years based on return on assets. In addition, the bank’s loan losses have consistently ranked well below industry averages.The bank remains deeply rooted in the community and focused on the needs of local residents, many of whom are family home buyers and local business owners.
Alexi grew up in Chicago and enrolled at the University of Chicago. He transferred to Boston University the following year to play basketball at the NCAA Division I level. Alexi was named to the America East Conference Academic Honor Roll each of the two years he played and graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in economics.
Alexi played professional basketball in Greece for a year before returning home and enrolling at Tulane University’s School of Law in New Orleans. After earning a law degree and passing the Illinois Bar exam, Alexi passed up other job opportunities to begin a career in banking at Broadway Bank.
At the bank, Alexi has served as a financial manager, overseeing loan and fixed investment portfolios totaling millions of dollars, negotiating contracts with brokers and vendors, and supervising employees. Alexi’s experience in asset liability management – handling the bank’s deposits, purchasing bonds on behalf of the bank and managing its fixed assets – has provided him with the financial skills necessary for an active role in running the Treasurer’s office.
Alexi serves on the board of directors of the Community Banker’s Association of Illinois Legislative Committee, the South Side/Wabash YMCA, and the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce.
He also founded and chairs the AG Foundation, a not-for-profit charity that donates money to treat child-related illnesses, curb poverty and assist disaster relief organizations. The foundation has benefited many charities, including those assisting victims of Hurricane Katrina
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[[Category:Year of birth 1976
|Giannoulias, Alexi]]
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