World Economic Forum selects Sacramento area businessman for Young Global Leader program

ROSEVILLE, Calif. – The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland announced that Sacramento area businessman Kyriakos Tsakopoulos has been selected for its 2008 Young Global Leader (YGL) program. 

This prestigious honor is bestowed each year by the World Economic Forum to recognize the achievements of about 250 leaders age 40 or younger from around the world for their professional accomplishments, commitment to bettering society and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world.

The Young Global Leader honorees participate in forums hosted through the world on topics ranging from promotion of peace, the environment, education and the reduction of poverty, among other topics. They meet in Davos in conjunction with the annual World Economic Forum, the closely watched meeting of heads of state, economic ministers and chief executives of international corporations. 

Drawn from a list of nearly 5,000 candidates, the Young Global Leader 2008 group were screened and chosen by a selection committee chaired by the Queen of Jordan and composed of 31 eminent international media leaders, including the CEO of Reuters, the publisher of The Wall Street Journal, the publisher of The New York Times and the CEO of Fuji TV. 

‘I am truly humbled to receive this acknowledgement and be included among such a tremendous group of people,’ Mr. Tsakopoulos said. ‘I consider this a privilege to be able to interact with such an inspirational collection of world leaders. There is a tremendous responsibility that comes with this selection. We now have a global platform where we can discuss approaches to address many of the key challenges facing this generation.’ 

Mr. Tsakopoulos, President of KT Communities in Roseville and Senior Executive Vice President of AKT Development Corporation, is active in regional, national and international civic affairs and educational policy. He is a Member of the Board of Trustees of Columbia University and a Trustee of the California State University System, the largest university system in the world. 

He also sits on the Board of the University of California, Davis M.I.N.D. Research Institute, the American Hellenic Institute Advisory Committee, the Crocker Museum of Art, and various other public service Boards and Commissions. He is a California Elector in the Electoral College of the United States in 2008 and served in that same capacity in 2004. 

Mr. Tsakopoulos is part of a diverse group of Young Global Leaders 2008 that includes 121 business leaders, plus leaders in government, academia, media and society from 65 countries. He is one of 45 individuals chosen from North America, which includes CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, actor Leonardo DiCaprio, U.S. Circuit Judge Kimberly Moore, Florida Congressman Adam Putnam, Betsy Fischer, Executive Producer of ‘Meet the Press,’ and soccer legend Mia Hamm. The current Young Global Leaders group represents more than 60 countries and includes the co-founders of Google, Sergey Brin and Larry Page. 

‘The World Economic Forum is a true multi-stakeholder community of global decision-makers,’ said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman for the world renowned organization. ‘We need the Young Global Leaders 2008 to be a voice for the future in the global thought process and as catalysts for initiatives in the global public interest.’ 

Mr. Tsakopoulos holds a Baccalaureate from Columbia University (Political Science), and a Juris Doctorate from the University of the Pacific/McGeorge School of Law (environmental, water and real estate law). He is a member of the California and U.S. Supreme Court Bars, and sat third chair in the landmark Tsakopoulos case before the United States Supreme Court.