Alexander Christodoulakis

Predominately focusing on Alexander Christodoulakis’ maternal

grandfather’s side of the family, according to the Archives of the

Hellenic Institute in Venice, Italy, which initiated the Institute of

Byzantine and post-Byzantine studies, the farthest that the family can

date itself is the 13th century AD. It is considered to be one of the

most ancient documented Hellenic families. The family’s official

Venetian documentation- ‘Hellenic Society of Venice- Summario Leggi

Scuola Greca, Mariegola, Capitolare’- is in the beginning of the 15th

century AD before the fall of Constantinople, 1453.

Due to the fact that one of the strong lines of the family was indelibly

related to the Byzantine Empire, as Bankers, Financiers, Advisers to

Emperors, Generals, Ship- owners and Diplomats; they were given

titles of aristocracy, which are documented in the Archives of the

Vatican and in Venice. The family had moved assets, trading and

endeavors to Italy, primarily Venice, Genoa and Spain. During the great

Renaissance, which was derived from Byzantium, many Greeks had

moved west. They brought with them all the tools necessary for the

birth of the Renaissance: ancient papyri, know- how of executive and

legislative governance of which Byzantium was the mecca, a great

amount of wealth, banking skills in diplomacy, shipping skills, trading

techniques, artisans, craftsmen, painters, sculptures, primarily wealth.

The family begins its official documentation in the registries and

archives of Venice in 1498. The family was highly respected by the

Doges and was given titles of aristocracy for their services, and

because of this, the conclave of the Doges gave permission for the

establishment of the Greek community.

Being one of the founding families of the Greek community in Venice,

they assisted financially with respectful sums, along with other wealthy

and powerful Greeks in Venice, to build the Greek church of St George

and to acquire excellent real estate, creating the ‘Campo dei Greci.’

Shipping and trading were the primary endeavors of the Greek

Community in Venice. His ancestor was the President of the Greek

Community of Venice and presided during the years, 1709, 1728,

1757, 1765, 1769, 1776, 1779. He died at 100 years of age. He was not

only a keen business man and ship-owner but also a successful writer.

The family is documented as a main shipping business with trade

routes throughout the Mediterranean. Among Alexander’s ancestors

were the great figureheads of the family; it is also historically

documented that he also descends from one of the noblest and high

ranking Athenian families (History of the Athenians: During the

Ottoman Occupation: From 1458-1687, Book I, Dimitrios

Kambouroglou, Historian). The family also established one of the

thriving publishing firms in Venice. It published rare papyri from the

Monasteries of Byzantium (efforts were made to preserve as much as

possible). Before and especially after the fall of Constantinople, it was

of the utmost importance to insure for posterity priceless treasures

from the ancient world, such as the ancient tragic poets and

philosophers and more.

Alexander’s Family History

Mani from – 1453 – 15th C. 19th C. to 1821 – ‘War of

Independence’, another branch of the family settled

in the region of the Peloponnese, Mistras in Mani.

Upon the fall of Constantinople, Mistras was chosen

by the emperor as the imperial seat of the Empire.

The family continued its endeavors but in the 18th

and 19th centuries it started to build castles and

fortresses in the region of Mani with the oncoming

War of Independence. They are still known as the

castles of the family. There are three major Castles

that can still be admired for their masonry and

craftsmanship even today. The family’s contribution

to the War of Independence in blood and money

was enormous and is registered in the archives as

such.

Alexander’s Family History

A branch of the family was also one of the leading families ofthe Greek Community in Smyrna the Ionian Western Side onthe Aegean. The Greek Community played a vital role in thisthriving trade capital, especially for ship owners, with a bustlingharbor for tobacco, fig, apricot center and bulk produce,leather goods of fine quality, silk,. Alexander’s grandfather,Apostolos, was born in 1915 in Smyrna where the family ownedlarge estates for hundreds of years. Wheat, fruits, tobacco, andother produce were all exported to Europe or the East on thefamily’s cargo ships.

Alexander’s Family History - 20th Century

Due to the onslaught of Smyrna and the outbreak later of WWII Alexander’s maternal grandfather Apostolos’ business was interrupted by thewars. He spent many years in the military and fought back-to- back wars at that time. He was a war hero.

Alexander’s paternal grandfather, George, was also a war hero as well and there were two national funerals in the city of Athens for theChristodoulakis’ side of the family. Presidents, prime ministers, ministers, armed forces, diplomats, social personalities and thousands of peopleattended.

Apostolos refused to fight in the Greek civil war of 1945 and continued his industrial works in North America, where his wife, Alexander’sgrandmothers’ family, was already operating successful commercial businesses. His grandfather established industrial factories and PortlandShipping Co, and pioneered to make industrial production and trade with Taiwan at the time.

Plutarchos – Great Grandfather Apostolos – Grandfather Alexander – Grandson

Alexander’s Family History - 20th Century

Thirty years later, Alexander Christodoulakis reopened PortlandShipping Co, which today is Portland Marine Group of Companies.While growing up, Alexander was influenced by a highly creativefamily. His godfather and uncle, Alexis Minotis, is internationallyacclaimed as the best classical Greek actor in modern history. Healso played in famous Hollywood films. Minotis’ wife, KatinaPaxinou also played in Hollywood, leading films, and earned anOscar in 1943 as best supporting actress for her performance inErnest Hemingway’s “For Whom the Bells Toll.” As a child,Alexander exercised his own creativity by playing music. At the ageof 7 years old, he was playing classical music pieces whileperforming jazz improvisations. Despite his extremely busyschedule today, he is still a keen music lover.

As a young man, he attended private-International- British uniformschool and later he joined and served a term in the armed forces.After his military service, he attended university where he studiedshipping, economics, and maritime law. He began his entrepreneurialcareer by reopening Portland Shipping Co., in the early 1990s. Hebuilt it into an international company through challenges,‘exceptionally hard work’ and entrepreneurial instinct.While building the Portland Marine Group, Alexander applied himselfrigorously to realizing a further successful career in the world ofinternational finance and asset management. He was regarded one ofthe world’s youngest successful asset managers at the time also bysize of the assets under management. When he is not involved ingroup management and global finance, Alexander spends his timestudying and staying up to date on political sciences. Since the mid-90’s until recently Alexander has assisted orphanages and supportedelderly homes. Alexander is also involved in a number of

organizations and a member of various societies. One of theseorganizations is the Piraeus Marine Club where he is a proud member.Alexander’s current focus is on discretionary investments, assetmanagement and corporate management via PBS SA Capital Group,which also covers a large range of major stock market and alternativemarket holdings across the globe. Alexander developed a maverickreputation for his swift market maneuvers, innovative andunorthodox, yet highly competitive financial solutions. Heimplemented his own business code of conduct by “sticking by theside of co- investors” at a difficult time and made it possible for themto have minimum losses due to the market crash. Although aherculean task, he gained acclaim as a preferred partner with mostbanks and funds around the world. A large number of senior hedgefunds and senior VP’s from banks said that they have never comeacross a man with such strong professional work ethics.

The Early Years

Highly skilled, with uncanny financial instincts, he is asought-after board member and has acted as strategicadvisor to heads of state and to state enterprises.Over two decades he has successfully collaborated withtop world banks, leading hedge funds and Fortune 500companies of the world. Alexander is Toronto based, butalso works internationally.

Was one of the world’s youngest successful asset managers at the time, for his age.

Maintains a successful track record of performance for more than two decades.

Managed one of the world’s largest ship-building portfolios.

Managed one of the largest clean-tech portfolios in the sector.

Has closed some of the most challenging and most complex transactions in the market.

Has acted as strategic advisor to heads of state and to state enterprises.

Was selected by the United Nations for his financial advice and contribution.

Has been selected by Fortune 500 Companies for collaborations.

Has been selected by world banks and leading hedge funds for collaborations.

CEO of PBS SA Capital Group and President of the Portland Marine Group of Companies.

Alexander's Achievements

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