The Libra Group

Makis Pantazatos is the CFO of Aria Hotels, with CEO responsibilities. He has been with the Libra Group for almost 20 years and recently has helped to oversee the major expansion of Aria Hotels into a group of around 30 properties throughout Greece and the islands.
What’s your role? Currently I’m the CFO of Aria Hotels with combined CEO responsibilities. I joined the Libra Group in 2000 as an Assistant Accountant at Lagoa Shipping. By 2005 I moved over to Sparta Properties to... run the accounting department there before moving to Aria Hotels in 2010 to manage its financial department and became CFO in 2017. Prior to joining Libra I was with the accountancy firm Alexander Young and Horwath.
What’s important in your role? It’s important to support my colleagues, handling our business with care, and being as creative as possible.
What do you enjoy most about Aria? There is never a boring day!
What was the best day of your life? It was two actually: when my children were born. Family is very important to me and keeps me busy outside of work – along with playing tennis when I can.
What favourites do you have? My favourite film is ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ starring the great Peter O’Toole, an actor I admire very much. My favourite book is ‘Tender is the Night’ by F Scott Fitzgerald. For music, my favourite singer is Phil Collins and I would definitely choose his song ‘Against all odds’. Even though I was born in Athens, my favourite city is Paris. But for cuisine I do like Greek and Asian food very much. For holidays, I always choose the Greek islands!
What would you rescue form a burning house? Once my family is safe, I would rescue my pens.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Always be down-to-earth and practical.
Do you have a motto or philosophy? With hard work and a little luck, success is assured.
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The Concordia Summit has released details of its next Americas Summit to take place over May 13-14 in Bogotá, Colombia. Confirmed high-level speakers and guests include: President Iván Duque Márquez of Colombia; Donna Karan, founder of DKNY DonnaKaranNewYork; Juan Fernando Fonseca FONSECA, one of the country's top music artists; Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica; former President of Bolivia Jorge Tuto Quiroga Ramirez; and a host of political and business leaders from across Latin America and the US to discuss pressing international issues and cross-sector collaboration.
http://bit.ly/2UFlHG3
#Concordia19 #P3Impact

As the world commemorates Earth Day we call to mind Zagori in North West Greece, one of nature’s areas of outstanding beauty where Aria Hotels' Kipi Suites boutique hotel is nestled in the village of Kipi. At an altitude of 800m the village lies between the mountains of Mistikeli and Gamila. Six beautifully preserved ancient stone bridges connect the paths around the village. Zagori in the heart of Epirus extends to approximately 1,000 sq km and includes 47 traditional villag...es. It is a truly magical place. http://bit.ly/2Kjmkj8
#Zagori #GreekMountains #EarthDay #Epirus #SecretHideaways #BoutiqueHotelsGreece
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LCI customer Elitaliana is Italy’s oldest helicopter company. This new video gives a fascinating insight into the world of helicopter Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Since 2016, LCI has leased three AW169 helicopters and one AW139, all EMS-equipped, to Elitaliana for use across its network in Rome and the Lazio region, and is proud to support these life-saving missions which are often critical.
#HelicopterLeasing #HEMS #Elitaliana #LCIaviation #RescueHelicopter

Principal Media, our Hollywood-based media production and distribution company, has sold the rights to major European international broadcaster RMC for Geared Up, a new take on the car show. Presented by husband-and-wife team Kelly and Ralph Biase, with Damon Sasso and directed by Jonathan Perkins, this under-the-hood reality tv series taps into the new ‘resto-mod’ phenomenon where vintage cars are modified and re-engineered with modern components. The result is fascinating blend of technology, classic styling, and high performance driving.
Teaser trailer: http://bit.ly/2Zgtai6
#mediacompany #tvseries #tvdistribution #vintagecars #classicauto #classic #tvshow #broadcaster #filmdistribution

The HOME Project is part of a new initiative in Athens to transform its shelters into net-zero homes and create urban farming spaces at the same time. Professor Marc Simmons and students from the MIT School of Architecture + Planning recently visited The HOME Project along with representatives from WWF Greece, Athens Makerspace, Πολυτεχνείο Κρήτης / Technical University of Crete, Athens Partnership, and Εθνικό Μετσόβιο Πολυτεχνείο - National Technical University of Athens to start the project and explore synergies. Net-zero homes are carbon neutral buildings with zero net energy consumption, building an environmentally-friendly future and improving livelihoods, especially for the young people in The HOME Project shelters.
#nochildalone #socialproject #wwfgreece #socialimpact #refugeechildren

Gina Crivelli has been with Libra Group since April 2015. In her role as Chief of Staff for Libra Social Responsibility she co-ordinates all matters relating to the Social Responsibility team and operations.
What’s important in your role? Empathy. Being a naturally empathetic person has helped me in my role. It’s vital to understand the needs of others so you can connect with people on different levels.
What do you enjoy most about Libra? My team
... What did you do before Libra? Worked in the membership department at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Over your whole career, describe your worst day. It’s not a particular day, but in general whenever I felt I wasn’t good enough, or that everything was going wrong. I’ve used those times to learn to regroup, handle it better and move on.
And your best day? A day I recall being very proud of myself was when I moved to NYC without having a job to go to first. I found the courage to take that leap into the unknown. I started working at Libra a few months later, so that big risk paid off.
What keeps you busy outside of work? Love to travel and photograph.
How do you relax? I love to cook, watch movies, spend time with friends, and go to the beach. Any role models? My parents. They both worked tirelessly to provide me with opportunities and are true examples of what it means to be selfless, generous and kind.
Tell us something surprising about yourself. I’ve lived in Philadelphia, Savannah, London, and (outside) Boston, all by the time I was 11 years old. I also studied abroad in Prague.
What would you rescue form a burning house? When I was about 4 years old my dad’s house burned down and I was so scared after that I ALWAYS kept an emergency backpack which contained my favorite stuffed doll AngelFace. Now I’d grab my wallet, phone, passport and SS card.
Motto or philosophy? Always find the humor, even in hard times.
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Convergen Energy’s L’Anse Warden power plant in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA has just received approval to utilise Convergen’s own engineered fuel as part of its fuel mix. The plant generates renewable power and steam. The approval of Convergen fuel pellets supports the company’s participation in the energy production supply chain and is part of its commitment to continuously improve L’Anse Warden’s renewable fuel capabilities.
Learn more about Convergen Energy's fuels: http://bit.ly/2UauoIb
#ConvergenEnergy #renewableenergy #cleanenergy #fuelpellets

Principal Media, Our Beverly Hills-based media company producing and distributing diverse TV content, recently completed the sale of TV series, “Sports Adventure”, to MBC1, a private, free-to-air satellite broadcasting company in the Middle East. The series follows the world’s top adventure athletes as they showcase their adrenaline sports exploits, such as whitewater kayaking, extreme skiing, epic climbing, big mountain snowboarding, extreme motorsports, and big wave surfing....
Learn more about Principal Media http://bit.ly/2SyJW8x Watch a trailer for the TV series http://bit.ly/2CW0ba4
#tvproduction #broadcaster #producer #tvprogram #tvseries #adrenalinesports #extremesports
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EuroEnergy, our renewable energy subsidiary based in Greece, achieved record high production levels at its wind parks during February. More specifically its wind parks located in Arcadia with a combined installed capacity of 42 MW achieved cumulative production equal to 10,215 MWhs during February – the most productive month since being commissioned in 2009. This is enough energy to supply 32,700 households’ average monthly electricity consumption, while saving 11,920 tons in CO2 emissions in the process.
#EuroEnergy #windenergy #renewables #windturbine ‪#‎onshorewind

COCO-MAT luxury mattresses have been selected for the 212 bedrooms and 48 suites at the new Equinox Hotels set to open in New York’s Hudson Yards this summer. With modern design and living in mind, the property incorporates the latest in hospitality innovation. COCO-MAT’s all-natural mattresses which adapt to any shape and form have been selected for the hotel’s ‘ultimate sleep chamber’ experience in each room, complementing total soundproofing and blackout window systems. Hudson Yards New York is a fashionable, emerging hub in New York City for the arts, culture, and cuisine, and the Equinox Hotel will be at the heart of this new scene. Coco-Mat Greece, the leading Greek manufacturer of natural sleep products and furnishings, is one of our diversified investments.
#luxuryhotel #sleepexpert #howtosleepwell #wellness Equinox

Last week Greenwood Energy attended the Solar Asset Management North America Conference in San Francisco. One major discussion point was "consolidation". As the US Solar market continues to expand with 10.6 GW of installations in 2018 and more than 12 GW expected in 2019, it is critical to unify data standards. Greenwood will be joining the “Orange Button” initiative which encourages adoption of open data standards for rapid and seamless data exchange across the solar value chain from origination to decommissioning.
See http://bit.ly/2CI2HRc #solarenergy #solardatastandards #photovoltaic #renewableenergy #sustainableenergy #cleanenergy Solarplaza The SunSpec Alliance #greenwoodenergy

Every Wednesday Seleni Institute runs a New Moms Group, at the cozy surroundings of Seleni in the heart of New York.
Pregnancy and new motherhood can be overwhelming so new mothers are invited to join like-minded women and receive the expert guidance of a Seleni clinician.
They can talk freely about issues such as body changes and image, their relationship with their partner, sleep, diet, breastfeeding and feelings of depression and anxiety. Babies are welcome and the first... session is free. After that a 4 session pack can be purchased for $30. https://www.seleni.org/new-moms-group
#NewMoms #PostpartumDepression #PostpartumAwareness #Breastfeeding #NervousMom #NewYorkMom #BodyChange
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Coco-Mat Greece, one of our diversified investments, has opened its first pop-up store in Italy, in Milan’s most luxurious department store: Rinascente. Located on the 6th floor of the iconic store, the COCO-MAT pop-up boasts a selection of best-sellers from their bed and home collections. COCO-MAT makes high quality, innovative sleep products from natural and sustainable materials.
#cocomatworld #cocomat #sleeponnature #mattress

Pleased to see that Convergen, one of our USA-based renewable energy companies, has announced the completion of a round of financing by BMO Financial Group (Bank of Montreal) to underpin commercial development and growth at Convergen’s sustainable energy facilities in the USA. Convergen serves sustainability managers who face ever-increasing regulatory requirements. #ConvergenEnergy #renewableenergy #cleanenergy #BankofMontreal

Auberge Resorts Collection, in which we have a strategic investment, has expanded its international portfolio of hotels, resorts and residences with a fourth property in Mexico. Set amidst the mangroves and lagoons of the Rivera Maya coastal paradise, the oceanfront Etéreo will feature 75 contemporary guesthouses, a spa, two dining venues, infinity pool and beachside bar, all connected by wooden boardwalks and pathways through the lush tropical vegetation and coral structures. All rooms have dramatic ocean views with large terraces and private plunge pools, and just 24 miles from Cancun International Airport on the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The resort is set to open in 2021.
http://bit.ly/2CjTtdp #AlwaysAuberge #tropicalresort #oceanview #paradise #luxurydestination

Praveen Vetrivel joined LCI Aviation in 2008 as Commercial Analyst, and in September 2013 became Vice President, Structured Finance. An engineer by profession, he holds an Engineering Degree from Madras University and a postgraduate degree in Air Transport Management from Cranfield University. His role at LCI includes responsibility for all treasury functions, as well as liaisons with investors, banks and financiers. He is also responsible for the preparation of comprehensive... market reviews and strategic analyses for the fixed wing and helicopter markets.
Please describe your average day? It starts with a hot cup of tea and a catch-up with the team. Each day invariably includes a meeting to discuss financing, and in turn running numbers and preparing presentations.
What do you enjoy most about your job? The great group of people that I work with! I can honestly call each one my friend and not just a co-worker.
Which languages do you speak? English, and having grown up around South India I am comfortable in Tamil, Kanada, Telugu, and Malayalam. I also speak Hindi and more recently have learned basic Spanish.
What’s your favourite city? Maybe cliché, but it has to be Rome.
What do you do to relax? A box of hummus and some bread in front of the must-watch TV show for the season, currently it’s Blue Planet II.
Favourite book/movie/play? Book: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Movie: The Shawshank Redemption Play: War Horse
Planes or helicopters?
That’s not an easy choice. Helicopters are exciting from an engineering perspective, also we are at the start of a new phase for the industry as a whole. Meanwhile, planes have a more mature industry, with vast amounts of data available at your fingertips, which makes it exciting to design new and more interesting investment strategies.
#EmployeeSpotlight http://bit.ly/2UN8dZs
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The rooftop solar system jointly developed by our Panama-based energy company, Greenwood Energy Latinoamérica has now been operating at Hospital Chiriqui in Panama for 12 months. The solar panels have generated 783,000 Kwh of energy since they were installed leading to an annual saving of nearly $44,000 (USD) for the hospital. Greenwood offers turnkey solutions for public and private sector organizations in the region wanting to offset their energy costs.
Learn more about #EnergyOffset here: http://bit.ly/2MorU9Y. #solarpower #renewableenergy #cleanenergy #rooftopsolar #solarpanels #GreenwoodEnergyLatinoamérica #energy #Panama