This is a list of some notable American Lebanese individuals. Some of them were born in Lebanon:

(By: American Lebanese Cultural Center - Houston, Texas)

PROMINENT EMIGRANT

Walid Phares, Professor of Middle East Studies. Peter Medawar, Winner of the 1960 Nobel Prize in Medicine. Susie Gharib, Co-anchor of Nightly Business Report. Nick Rahall, Congressman. James Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute. Thomas Nassif, American Task Force for Lebanon Chairman. Ray LaHood, U.S. Congressman. Anthony Shadid, Washington Post correspondent in Beirut. Ralph Nader, US activist, presidential candidate. Spencer Abraham, U.S. Secretary of Energy. Robert Chahine, American Lebanese Foundation President. Ziad Abdelnour, President of the U.S. Committee for a Free Lebanon. 

ACTIVISTS  

Fouad Ajami, Scholar, Academic, Consultant, Activist and Head of Middle East Studies at John Hopkins University. Rabih Aridi, Treasurer and Board Member of Amnesty International USA. Bill Ferris, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities Tony Haddad, President of the Lebanese American Council for Democracy, Lobbyist. Joseph Hitti, President of New England Americans for Lebanon ( NEAL). Ralph Johns, A key white participant in the civil rights movement in the 1960’s; encouraged the famous Woolworth ‘sit-in’ at a lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. Candy Lightner, Founder of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). Habib Malik, Scholar, Human Rights Activist and Academic. Son of the late Charles Malik, one of the founding members of the United Nations Charter. Ralph Nader, Ex-Presidential candidate and Head of the Green Party. Daniel Nassif, President of the American Lebanese Institute, US Representative of the Council of Lebanese American Organizations, Activist, Consultant, Lobbyist. Elias Saadi, Cardilogist, knighted by Lebanon with Order of the Cedar, the highest award granted by the Lebanese government to a civilian.  Secretary General of the  International Maronite Foundation.Edward M. Salem, Chairman of the International Maronite Foundation. George Salem, Partner, Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP, National Head of the U.S. Department of Labor Practice & Recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Camille Sarrouf, Senior partner of the Boston law firm of Sarrouf, Tarricone & Flemming, former president of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys. Also passionately and actively involved with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee and was the Chairman of its Board of Governors from 1994 to 1998. Recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Paul Michael Wihbey, IASPS Strategic Fellow who specializes in US energy and security in the Persian Gulf and adjacent areas. As a former vice president of the Federal Liberal Party of Canada during the Trudeau Administration, he was a member of the Canadian parliamentary and diplomatic fact-finding missions to Lebanon in the early 1980s. Also serves as a consultant on Middle East security, economics and political issues to US-based multinationals, Congress and the Department of Defense. Stephen P. Yokich, Union leader. In 1995 he became the eighth president of the sixty-year-old UAW, a labor union officially named the International Union of United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. John Zogby, One of America’s preeminent pollsters, keeping tabs on public opinion and other statistics; founder of Zogby International. George Zoghby, President of the Mobile Area Chapter of the National Alliance of Lebanese Americans

ART & LITERATURE

William Peter Blatty, Author. Best known for his best-selling book and Academy Award-winning screenplay “The Exorcist”. Vance Bourjaily, Novelist. Known for his nonfiction articles about outdoor activities, some of which have been published in collections like his 1997 book “Fishing by Mail: An Outdoor Life of a Father and Son”. Hussam A. Fadhi,  Award-winning sculptor whose work is displayed around the world, including the Bush Presidential Library. Gibran Khalil Gibran: Highly respected poet/thinker. Born and bred in Lebanon. Moved to Boston in later years. His book “The Prophet” has been translated into 54 languages. Has a park built in his honor in downtown Boston where he lived most of the later years of his life. The park is symbolically situated between a library and a church. Furniture and artwork from his last apartment which was in New York is now displayed at the Gibran Museum in Bsharri, North Lebanon. http://leb.net/gibran Brian Karem, (son of James Karem, son of Fred) author several books, many articles. Sam Maloof, Woodworker whose quality work is in great demand. Has had creations appear in the White House, Smithsonian Institution, the Vatican and other renowned exhibit halls.  This son of Lebanese immigrants is the only living craftsman to have his work in the White House collection of American furniture. In 1985, received the MacArthur Foundation’s “genius” grant and in the same year, the California legislature named him a “living treasure.”  California prizes its native son so highly, it designated the 23-room home he built as a registered historical landmark. The 8,500-square-foot temple of craftsmanship has been opened to the public as a living museum. His signature piece – the Maloof rocking chair  sells for $20,000 and as much as $42,000. Three former US Presidents – Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton – own the rocking chair, with Carter personally coming to pick up the chair and meet its creator. (4/4) Article Emily Nasrallah - Lebanese American Novelist. One of her books “A House Not Her Own: Stories from Beirut”. Ameen Rihani, Writer, Philosopher, Political Thinker   http://www.ameenrihani.org/

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Robert Abboud- Former President of the First National Bank of Chicago. Ziad K. Abdelnour, Dealmaker, Financier, Venture Capitalist, Registered Lobbyist. Financed over 60 US private companies since 1986 raising over $3.5 billion in capital; sits on the Board of 15 of them. President & Founder of the U.S Committee for a Free Lebanon, Inc , Former President of the Arab Bankers Association of North America and Publisher of the Middle East Intelligence Bulletin Son of Lebanese MP Khalil Abdelnour. Richard Abdoo, President & CEO of Wisconsin Energy Corporation and Recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Anthony Abraham, Miami’s Chevrolet king, Recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Waleed Ali & Malik Ali, Founded MPI, the world’s largest home-video distributor of documentaries. Simon Assad, co-CEO of Heavy.com, a music site that was nominated for a Webby, the Internet’s highest honor. Ronald Assaf, Founder, former CEO and current Chairman of Sensormatic Electronics Corporation, an international company with revenues of $1 billion, doing business in 80 countries and Recipient of Ellis island Medal of Honor. Joseph Audi, President and CEO of Bank Audi (USA). George Barbar, Florida based real estate tycoon, Recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Basha (Eddie and Ike), The two brothers who started Bashas’ Grocery Stores with 153 stores and about 11,000 employees. www.bashas.com. (5-08) Ghassan Bejjani, General Partner, Morgan Stanley Venture Partners, one of the most prominent private equity groups on Wall Street. Tommy Borders, Jr., son of Christine Borders-Karem, immigrant in 1920’s, founder Borders Bookstores. George Boutros, Known as “The Fiercest Tech Mergers and Aquisitions Banker In The World.” Heads a 70-man Tech M&A team @ Credit Suisse First Boston in San Fransisco. Son of former Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Fouad Boutros. Kevin Brown, (son of Virginia Brown-Karem) CFO Harmon International. Virginia Karem Brown, founder GAMA, the Global Arbitration Mediation Association, Inc., world’s first on-line ADR company, attorney, mother. Fouad Chartouni, Owner and operator of the most famous hotel of the Stars, the Lowell Hotel. Camille Chebeir, President of SEDCO Services; Advisor to a prominent Saudi merchant family and Former President of the Arab Bankers Association of North America. Wael Chehab, President of New York based Cedar Capital Management; a premier fund of funds manager and strong activist on behalf of the American University of Beirut. Raymond Debbane, President of the Invus Group, a multi-million dollar private equity firm specializing in buyouts and venture capital. Richard Debs, Former President of Morgan Stanley International and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Beirut. Derek E. Dewan, Chairman and CEO of Modis Incorporated, a $1 billion information technology services subsidiary of Modis Professional Services, Inc.(NYSE:MPS) and Recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Fred Haddad:  Considered one of the most important businessmen in the U.S. His father, Nathan originally from a Lebanese village known as Jib Jineen and came to the USA in the 1920’s.They opened a great business, named Heck’s. Fred resided in Charleston, WV.  Fred, the son, turned the business into a great Empire. Frederick Lawrence Haddad passed away in 2002. Nabil El Hage, President and CEO of Jeepers, Inc, and famous turnaround operator. Janice jamail-Garvis, Owner of Jamial Real Estate, Inc in Houston. She has been honored by her peers for her involvement and dedication to her profession. She is a native of Houston but proud of her Lebanese Heritage.  Janice’s father is the state of Texas’ most highly dedicated hero of World War II. She is a founding member of the American Lebanese Foundation http://alfusa.org. (2/5)Roger Farah, President, CEO and Director of Polo Ralph Lauren. Previously served as Chairman of the Board of Ventaor Group Inc., the parent company of Footlocker. Ziad Ghandour, Founder of TI Capital, a private equity fund based in CA. Michel T. Halbouty, Ellis Island Medal of Honor – Recognized as one of the world’s foremost geologists and petroleum engineers and is acclaimed for his scientific expertise. Read American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation, and  Ellis Island Medal of Honor . George A. Hamid, Jr. – Businessman and circus owner. Besides owning circuses and state fairs, Hamid operated the Steel Pier, a large amusement park that featured live entertainers.Charles Hanna, Born in Jamaica to an affluent family.  Came to the US after the civil war in Lebanon.  He arrived with no capital and no contacts. Now the family runs a multi-million dollar vending business.  Mr. Hanna was featured in “Success Magazine” in August 1988.  He is past president of his Rotary club and is involved with several non-profit organization.  www.hanna-vending.com. (10-4) Dr. Ray Irani, Former chemist with dozens of patents. Became Armand Hammer’s successor as Chairman of the Board at Oxy; President and Chief Executive Officer of Occidental Petroleum. AUB Alumnus. Tony Ismail, Entrepreneur who founded the largest retailer of flags store in Dallas The Alamo Flag Company. Karim Jaude, Founded and operated 19 successful companies in eight countries and made his first million dollars when he was 26. Business and real estate consultant, and coach to business owners, executive, and professionals. Dr. Joseph Jacobs, Founder of an international, billion-dollar engineering group, “Jacobs Engineering Group” NYSE “JEC”. Joseph D. Jamail, Texas lawyer who won the biggest settlement in U.S. history, on behalf of Pennzoil ($10 billion dollars). Listed  #189 on Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans. George Joseph, #317 on Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans. Abdo Kadifa, President and CEO of Corio Inc, a leading Silicon Valley based Enterprise Application Service Provider. Habib Kairouz, Managing Partner of RHO Management, Inc., a multi-million dollar private equity firm specializing in venture capital John Mack, Investment banking legend. Ex-CEO of Morgan Stanley, now CEO of Credit Suisse First Boston. Bob Manikian and brothers, Personal brokers to the Prince of Brunei (richest man in the world ) – They are 90th richest on UK TOP 100. Ned Mansour, President of Mattel, Inc. in 1999, the maker of Barbie dolls. Amira Matar, Vice President of Mellon Private Wealth Management in Century City, CA. (www.mellon.com).  Ms. Matar is the first woman to be added to the Business and Finance list.  She is an active board member in several charitable and church organizations, including the House of Lebanon and the Lebanese Ladies Cultural Society that supports the education of 506 orphans and needy students. (2-04) . Sam Moore, Owner of Thomas Nelson Publishers The Naify Brothers, Founded cable television in the 50s. At one time both brothers owned 60% of United Artist theaters. Father Michael Naify was the former CEO for United Artist Communications. Yousef Nasr, CEO of  HSBC Bank USA Jack Nasser, Former President of the Ford Motor Company. Paul Orfalea, Founder/CEO of Kinkos Richard Edward Rainwater, #127 on Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans. Khalil Rizk, Founder of the famous New York based Chinese Porcelain Company Charles Rozwat, Executive VP of Server Technologies – ORACLE CORPORATION Tarek Saab- Global marketing at a foturne 500 company, appeared on the apprentice, working on a book and founded www.lionheartapparel.com.   www.tsaab.com 5-07 Abdo Sabban, AUB Alumnus. Founder of multi-million dollar real estate co. Treasurer of the AANA. Naseeb Saliba, Founder of Tutor-Saliba Corporation, one of the largest privately held international General Contracting firms in the world with over $ 6 billion in completed work. Also Recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor. George Shaheen, Former President of Anderson Consulting – one of the Top 4 Consulting Firms in America. Resigned and was CEO of Webvan, ex-on-line grocery delivery service. Joseph Shaker, Jr., His father founded Shaker Advertising. Today Shaker Advertising firm is the oldest and most respected Advertising Firm in the Midwest. Their headquarters is in Chicago, IL. Lawrence N. Tadross, past president of the Oriental Rug Importers Assoc.  Operates Tadross & Company which was founded in 1891 and is the oldest importer, exporter, wholesaler & retailer in the U.S.  Board of directors of Big Brothers Big sisters of Stuat Fl. www.silkroadtraders.biz Nassim Taleb, Currently Founder and Chairman of Empirica LLC, a research laboratory and hedge fund operator in Greenwich Connecticut (closed to the public) and Fellow in Mathematics in Finance and Adjunct Professor at the Courant Institute of New York University. Was inducted in the Derivatives Hall of Fame (Feb 2001). Tony Tamer, co-Founder and CEO of HIG Capital, a multi-million dollar private equity firm specializing in buyouts and venture capital The Late Dave Thomas, Founder of fast food chain Wendy’s. Passed away in January 2002. Was adopted by Lebanese parents. Kathleen Vrona, (daughter Virginia Brown Karem, daugher Fred, grand-daughter, Peter and Camilla), co-founder World Wide Access, Chicago Internet Company; Bryan J. Zwan, Ph.D., Founded fiber-optic equipment company Digital Lightwave 1990; IPO 1997. #391 on Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans.

ENTERTAINMENT

Ron Afif, Recorded 5 or so albums for the Pablo label. His latest being “Solitude” a solo effort. His mother`s brother is the celebrated guitarist Ron Anthony (Sinatra’s guitarist 1985-1993). His father Charlie was a middle weight champion fighter. Walid Akl, World-renowned pianist. Paul Anka, One of America’s first pop teen idols. John Bowab, Directed “Soap,” “Benson,” “Bosom Buddies,” “The Facts of Life,” and the last season and a half of the “The Cosby Show.” Jonathon Brandmeier, Radio talk show host. Don Bustany, Created and produced “American Top 40″ and “American Country Countdown.” Recently added “Casey’s Top 40″ and “Casey’s Country Countdown.” Elie Chaib, Dancer. Both youngest and oldest performer with the famous Paul Taylor company. In 1992 he was named the “Dancer of the Year” by the NY Times. Dick Dale, King of the Surf Guitar. George S. Dibie, Emmy Award-winning cinematographer-director. Now President of the International Photographers Guild. George Durgom, Through the years, managed Jackie Gleason, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Marilyn Monroe. Bechara El Khoury, World-renowned musician. Rosalind Elias, Opera prima donna who  hit the high notes at the Met., NY. Shannon Elizabeth, (Fadal) – Best known for her “American Pie” movie where she plays the sexy Czech student. Her website: http://www.ShannonElizabeth.com/. Jamie Farr, Actor. Farr is best known in his role as Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger in the TV show M*A*S*H. Sammy Haggar, Former lead vocalist for Van Halen. Khrystyne Haje, Actress. Best known in her role as Simone Foster in the television series Head of the Class. Jack Hanna, Popular host of the hit television series, “Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures,” one of America’s most beloved naturalists and adventurers. Salma Hayek, Superstar of Hollywood hits such as “Desperado” with Antonio Banderas and “Fools Rush In”. Waleed Howrani, World-renowned musician, concert pianist and composer. Paul Jabara, Oscar winning composer for “Last Dance” from “Thank God It’s Friday”. Mike Joseph,  Pioneered the concept of a radio programming consultant in 1958 . Casey Kasem: Famous radio personality and TV host, Producer of American top Ten show, and an actor. The voice of Shaggy on the 70’s and 80’s cartoon series Scooby-Doo. Mario Kassar, Former chairman of Carolco Pictures, the movie company that produced such blockbusters as “Rambo”, “Terminator 2″, and “Total Recall”. At one time he ran a billion-dollar industry. Asaad Kelad, Worked with numerous series like “Family Ties” and episodes of “The Facts of Life,” “Who’s the Boss?,” “WKRP in Cincinnati,” etc. Herbert Khaury, Lebanese-American folk singer known to all of his fans as “Tiny Tim”. Callie Khoury, First woman to receive an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay — for “Thelma and Louise”. Emile Kuri, Nominated eight times for films like Mary Poppins. Won the Oscar twice — for “The Heiress” and Disney’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” Wendie Malick, “One of the stars of NBC’s hit show Just Shoot Me.  Kristy McNichol, Actress. Best known in her role as Bubby Lawrence on the late 1970s TV show Family. Also best known in her role as an undercover cop on the TV show “Empty Nest”. Joanna Medawar Nachef PhD, is recognized as the first woman conductor from the Middle East. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Dr. Nachef moved to Los Angeles in 1977.  Michael Nader, Actor in the “Dynasty” series. Michelle Nader, Comedy writer for the TV Series “Spin City”. Kathy Najimy, Actress and activist, “Veronica’s Closet”, “Sister Act”, “Rat Race”. Her website: www.kathynajimy.com Michael Nouri, The leading man who starred in the movie Flashdance; later seen in TV’s “Love and War” sitcom. Keanu Reeves,  Keanu is not Lebanese, but was born in Beirut in the 1970’s. He is a mixture of Hawaiian, Chinese and American. Diane Rehm, Host and executive producer of “The Diane Rehm Show” on National Public Radio (NPR). Fouad Said, The cinematographer who designed the Cinemobile — the first customized van for filming on location — while working on the TV series “I Spy”.  He received a Technical Academy Award in 1970 for this achievement. Fred Saidy, Wrote two classics, “Finian’s Rainbow” and “Bloomer Girl”. Lucie Salhany, Former chairwoman for Fox Broadcasting Co. and former chairwoman for United Paramount (TV) Network. Elie Samaha, Producer and owner of Franchise Pictures; Films: Driven, The whole nine yards, The Pledge, Battle Field Earth, Heist, Exit Wounds. Shakira, World-renowned rock singer. Born in Columbia of Lebanese descent.  www.shakira.com .Tony Shalhoub, One of the alien men in “Men In Black” and several TV series such as “Wyngs”. Omar Sharif, Born Michael Shalhoub in Alexandria, Egypt in 1932, to Lebanese parents. Tom Shidyac, Director. Directed such well known movies as “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective”, and “The Nutty Professor”. G. E. Smith, Former bandleader for many years for NBC TV’s “Saturday Night Live”. Amin Sultan,  One of the best Middle Eastern singers in the United States http://www.vrshopping.com/amin/. Michael Tadross, Was the unit production manager for “Die Hard III”, “Devil’s Advocate”, and many other movies. George Taweel, Co-Partner of TLC Entertainment, winner of over 70 prestigious awards for creative excellence in the area of family-oriented entertainment. TLC has produced 70 Gold and Platinum selling video titles including “Kids’ Ten Commandments” voiced by major star talent and notable TV episodes of “Touched by an Angel”. Julie Taymor, The creative mastermind behind the Broadway version of Disney’s “The Lion King.”  She also directed the powerful film “Titus” . The Late Danny Thomas, Founder of St. Jude Hospital for Children, comedian and star of sit-com, “Make Room For Daddy”. Marlo Thomas, Actress and Producer. Daughter of the late actor Danny Thomas. Marlo has won Emmy Awards and is best known for her role in “That Girl”. Tony Thomas, Producer. Son of the late actor Danny Thomas. Has won Emmy Awards for his productions.  Tiffany, The first teenage singer to have her first two singles both hit number one. Gabriel Yared, Academy Award winner, music score composer for the movie “The English Patient”. Amy Yasbeck, Actress. Played in the TV series “Wings” and played in the movies “Problem Child” and “Robin Hood, Men in Tights”. David Yazbeck, Wrote the lyrics and score for “The Full Monty”. Frank Zappa, Former legend in the world of rock.

ACADEMICS AND MEDIA FIGURES 

Elias Abu Saab:  vice president of American University of Dubai (AUD). David Adamany, President of Wayne State University in Detroit. Joseph Aoun: seventh president of Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts where he took office on 8-15-06. Helena Cobban, Author of The Syrian-Israeli Peace Talks: 1991-96 and Beyond (USIP Press, Feb. 2000) and of The Moral Architecture of World Peace: Nobel Laureates Discuss Our Global Future (University Press of Virginia, May 2000). A veteran writer and columnist on global issues. Raghida Dergham, Senior Diplomatic Correspondent at Al-Hayat. Joseph Farah, Editor in Chief of World Net Daily  www.wnd.com. Fawaz Gerges, Christian A. Johnson Chair in International Affairs and Middle East Studies at Sarah Lawrence College. His latest book is American and Political Islam (Cambridge University Press, 1999). Zeina B. Ghandour, Born in Beirut in 1966 and studied at Kent University, specializing in Islamic and Jewish law, wrote “The Honey”: a story about contemporary Palestine that revolves around a village muezzin’s daughter, Ruhiya, who breaches one of the deepest taboos of Islam by performing the call to the dawn prayer. Dr. Fran Jabara, Professor of Business Administration and Entrepreneurship at Wichita State University and the founder (in 1977) of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Wichita State University. A building at the University has been named in his honor as Jabara Hall. He is a relative of the late Col. James Jabara (see Military), America’s first triple jet ace in the Korean War. Samuel John Hazo, Poet. In 1993, Pennsylvania named Hazo its first poet laureate, or official state poet. Brian Karem, Of Lebanese descent and nephew to David Karem of Louisville KY. Former television correspondent for “America’s Most Wanted” and NBC-TV. Emile Kuri, Was Head set decorator for Disney. Won two Oscars for his set decorations in two films. Dr. Luz Lenis Ph.D., Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for sophomores at Fordham University, Bronx, NY. Amin Maalouf, Journalist and writer. In 1993 won the Prix Goncourt, France’s most prestigious literary award. Steven Naifeh, Won the 1990 Pulitzer Prize for his biography “Jackson Pollock: An American Saga”. Walid Phares PhD:  An associate professor of Middle East Studies and Ethnic and Religious Conflict, in the Department of Political Science at Florida Atlantic University. He is the author of eight books on the Middle East in Arabic, French, and English and more then 200 articles. Fred Saidy, Broadway playwright. Wrote two classics, “Finian’s Rainbow” and “Bloomer Girls”. Cindy Mohammad Saleh, Teenage Lebanese-American Poet. Al Thomy, sportswriter/columnist/editor for Atlanta Constitution, Houston Press, Greensboro (N.C.) News-Record, named NASCAR Racing Columnist of Year in 2004, winner of 32 national and regional journalistic awards, active career of 62 years, covered every major sports event with exception of Kentucky Derby.Mike Toney, Played “Fat Sally” in Martin Scorsese’s film “Casino”. Nido Qubein, Writer-lecturer on business and success. Became President of the National Speakers’ Association and the youngest member inducted into the International Speakers’ Hall of Fame.

FASHION

Joseph Abboud, World famous designer of men’s line of clothing carrying his name “Joseph Abboud”. Reem Acra, Emerging woman’s fashion designer of the New York scene.Mansour Farah, Manufacturer. Founded a multimillion-dollar menswear manufacturing company called Farah’s. Joseph Marion Haggar, Manufacturer. Was the founder and former chairman of the country’s leading manufacturer of men’s clothing. The company name Haggar Corporation. Julie Hayek: Miss USA in  1983; at that time she was the titleholder for Miss California Norma Kamali, Fashion designer. Her clothing line OMO Norma Kamali is known throughout the world. The Maloof Family, Manufactured Mod-O-Day women’s dresses.

LAW

Wafa J. Hoballah, International law practice specializes in business, commercial and corporate law in and between the United States, the Middle East and West Africa, focusing on major aspects of international business transactions, negotiations, due diligence investigations, development & financing, and joint ventures. www.middleeastlaw.com  (oct 09 issue) John Maalouf,  Among other accomplishments, Mr. Maalouf was named to the United States Lawyer Rankings List of the Nation’s Top 10 “International Trade & Finance Lawyers”. www.maalouf.us.  The US Lawyer Rankings can be viewed at:  www.UnitedStatesLawyerRankings.com.

SCIENCE

Hassan Kamel Al-Sabbah, Inventor for GE in the 1920s, 52 different patents among one of the first patents on television tubes and solar energy panels. Ghassan Antar, PhD, At the University of California in San Diego, a plasma physicist. Nicholas S. Assal, Medical researcher. Helps doctors in the world prevent and treat complications during pregnancy and birth. Dr. Elias Corey, Chemist. Won the 1990 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing a logical process that changed the face of synthetic chemistry. George A. Doumani, Geologist whose  explorations helped prove the theory of continental drift. He has a mountain peak named after him in Antarctica. Dr. Charles Elachi, Director of Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA.  Article Joseph Hassab, PhD –  Born in Jounieh and presently in New Jersey, USA. Internationally recognized speaker and author of two books published by CRC Press and author of more than one hundred professional Journal publications. President of S&T, Past President of Sensytech, past Director of Lockheed Martin and a Past General Electric Executive.  He is recognized as an exper in the field of electronic warfare, communication and imaging as well as systems management, underwater signals and data processing.Dr. George Helou, Executive Director of the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center and a member of the faculty in the Physics, Math and Astronomy Division at Caltech, Pasadena, CA. He is also a Director of NASA Herschel Science Center and Deputy Director of the Spitzer Science Center. Profile 3-07 George A. Kyrala, PhD – AKA George Amine Khairallah from Bhamdoun. An atomic physicist with a Ph.D from Yale and fellow of the SPIE. Recently won an international prize for high speed photography. Fouad G. Major, PhD- Dr. Major, born in Lebanon, educated in New Zealand and the US, American citizen since 1965, physicist and author, invented a new class of atomic clock as a researcher at NASA, the mercury ion clock, was awarded the NASA NASA APOLLO ACHIEVEMENT AWARD in 1969, author of two books in physics THE QUANTUM BEAT and CHARGED PARTICLE TRAPS.  Christa McAuliffe, Teacher and Astronaut. Was one of the seven crew members on board the space shuttle Challenger that exploded shortly after launch. Jack Shaheen, Former Emeritus Professor of Mass Communications at Southern Illinois University. Bazzam Shakhashiri, PhD,  “Scientist by training, teacher and public servant by trade, advocate by conviction, optimist by nature” — that is the way Bassam Z. Shakhashiri describes himself. As Professor of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Shakhashiri finds outlet for all four attributes, to which he might add a fifth: entertainer by avocation. He has been featured on TV shows and many magazines including Smithsonian and Newsweek.  A native of Lebanon, Dr. Shakhashiri is the son of a physician who is retired from the U.S. National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD.  They came to the US in 1957 when Bassam was 18 years old with one year of college at the American University of Beirut.  Please read the complete article to Learn about his many awards and achievements. Edward M. Sion, PhD – Scientific Editor, The Astrophysical Journal; Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Dept. of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Villanova University.

MEDICINE

Dimitri Azar, M.D.  Harvard Professor of Opthalmology, Associate Scientist at the Schepens Eye Research Institute, Director of the Corneal, External and Refractive Surgery Services at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and on Unite for Sight’s  Executive Board of Directors.  Has published over 100 journal articles on topics in his field of expertise including his work on the molecular basis of corneal scarring and avascularity during wound healing and the mathematical basis of laser surgery. Amin Barakat, M.D.   Famous Pediatrician and Professor of Medicine – Georgetown University Medical Center. Recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Bassam A. Bassam, MD.   Professor of Neurology at the University of South Alabama, Department of Neurology. Charles Boustany, M.D.  In his first run for elected office, cardiovascular surgeon Charles Boustany Jr. (R) broke a longtime Democratic stranglehold on the southwestern Louisiana 7th district.  Congressman Boustany is a retired heart surgeon who is the grandson of a Lebanese Immigrant. Chamsuddine, Abbas, M.D.  Named America’s top radiologist in 2003 and 2007.  Associate professor Emory University.  Graduated from AUB medical school in 1991 and moved to the U.S. in 1993.  (featured in our April 2008 newsletter) Robert Chahine, M.D.  Cardiologist, graduate of AUB. Held several academic positions at major medical schools in the U.S. Authored/Co-authored more than 200 publications. Belongs to several medical/cardiovascular organization.  Involved in several American Lebanese organizations and a founder of the American Lebanese foundation. www.alfusa.org Michael DeBakey,M.D.   World Famous heart surgeon currently working in Houston, TX. Invented the heart pump. Today he’s chancellor of Baylor University’s College of Medicine.  www.wic.org/bio/debakey.htm Michael Fakih, M.D.  Recognized worldwide as a leader in his field. His innovative GIFT technique – using the woman’s follicular fluid to treat sperm and serve as a transfer medium – has revolutionized the procedure. The improvement nearly doubles the success rate of the GIFT procedure. Fuad Freiha, M.D., FACS.   Professor Emeritus at Stanford.  Received MD and general surgery training at AUB.  Trained in Urology at Stanford where he has been on faculty for 30 years.  Decorated by the gov. of Lebanon for his work in the ministry of health, receiving the Cedars Medal of Honor. President of the Lebanese American Association from 2002-2004. Amin A. Milki M.D.   Faculty professor in the department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the Stanford University   Medical Center in California . A renowned fertility doctor, researcher and innovator in the fields of AI, IVF and ICSI.  Studied at A.U.B in Lebanon. A Milki M.D. and other info Anis Razzouk, M.D.   Prominent heart surgeon at Loma Linda University Hospital in Riverside, CA. Philip Salem,M.D.   Famous Texas based oncologist and Recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Wadi Suki, M.D.   Born in Sudan of Lebanese parents. Clinical professor of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.  Listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, The National Register of Prominent Americans and International Notables, The Best Doctors in the U.S., The Best Doctors in America. He as served as a consultant to, or member of the Board of Directors of, a number of governmental agencies, voluntary health organizations and professional organizations.  Widely published, Dr. Suki has written over 200 scientific publications dealing with many aspects of renal physiology and disease. H. John Shammas, M.D.   Specialist in cataract and laser surgery.  Obtained his medical education in Lebanon. Held several academic positions. Published more than 100 papers and two books on eye surgery. Know nationally and internationally in his field. Recognized for his work with American Lebanese organizations such as www.houseoflebanon.com. Henry Zeiter, M.D.- Ophthalmologist and author of “From Lebanon to California”.

MILITARY FIGURES 

John Abizaid, Four star general, A Californian Lebanese-American, took charge of all US troops and military operations in the Middle East, East Africa and south-central area in July 2003, including both Afghanistan and Iraq.  He was hailed as “the leader for the 21st century” by CNN (see:http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/07/07/abizaid.bio/index.html). Victor DelNore, Former U.S Commander of the Nagasaki Military Government. Colonel James Jabara, of the U.S. Air Force; Korean War hero. General George Joulwan, West Point graduate; commanded both the U.S. and NATO forces in Europe. Navy Lt. Alfred Naifeh, Navy hero; in 1944, one of our Navy ships, the destroyer USS Naifeh was named in his honor. Maj. Gen. Fred Safay, WWII Army Officer; fought alongside General Patton. Colonel Alfred Shihab, of the US armed forces that landed in Lebanon in 1958. Brig. Gen. Elias Stevens, WWII Army Officer; served on Gen. Eisenhower’s staff.

POLITICS

Chris Abboud, Nebraska State Senator James Abdnor, US Senator of South Dakota (1981-1986) James Abourezk, US Senator of South Dakota (1971-1979) Spencer Abraham, The new Secretary of Energy of the United States of America . He is a third-generation American of Lebanese descent. Born in Michigan. Was also a U.S. Senator representing the state of Michigan.http://store.yahoo.com/expandnato/abrahambio.html John Akouri, Councilman for the city of Farmington Hills, Michigan.  John Akouri is the former Washington, DC Press Secretary & Communications Director to US Rep. Joe Knollenberg. Active with the American Lebanese community. http://www.akouri.blogspot.com/ John Ash, Mayor, Olean (NY) William N. Aswad, Vermont State Representative Victor Atiyeh, Governor of Oregon (1979-1987) John Baldacci, Congressman (ME) Michael Baroody, Asst. Secretary, US Department of Labor (1985-1988) William Baroody Jr, Asst. to the President, Office of Public Liaison (1973-1977) Timothy Bryan, City Council Member, Massillon (OH) David Cappiello, Connecticut State Representative George Crady, Florida State Representative Mitch Daniels, Assistant to the President, Political and Intergovernmental Affairs (1985-1987)Pat Danner, Former Congresswoman (MO) Brenda Elias, Mayor, Franklin (NH) 1989-1994 George Ellis, Texas Court of Appeals Edward J. Elum, Jr. – Judge on the Massillon (OH) Municipal Court. Joe Farris, West Virginia State Delegate Elias Francis, Former Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico. Joseph P. Ganim, Mayor, Bridgeport (CT) Jeannie A. Gregory, City Clerk, South Pasadena (CA) Edmond Haddad, Deputy Asst Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy (1987-1988) Philip C. Habib, Former U.S. Ambassador and Presidential Envoy under the Ronald Reagan Administration William A. Hamzy, Connecticut State Representative Helen Bishara Huey, City Council Member, Houston (TX) Richard Ieyoub, Attorney General for the State of Louisiana Daniel Issa, Rhode Island State Senator Darrell Issa, Congressman (CA) Teresa Issac, Vice Mayor, Lexington (KY) Richard Iyoub, Current Attorney General of Louisiana. Michael J. Jarjura, Connecticut State Representative Chris John, Congressman (Louisiana) Ruth Joseph, Mayor, Waterville (ME) James Kaddo, Judge, Superior court of California) Stephen Kafoury, Oregon State Senator, 1977-1980 Dr. Hamid Claude Kantara, DC, Director of Cultural Outreach for the Texas Young Republican Federation and President for the Galveston County Young Republicans. First Lebanese immigrant to be elected to City Council in Galveston County. David Karem,  Son of Fred Karem, immigrant 1920’s (son of Peter and Camilla Karem, Bsharri Lebanon), former state senator, Kentucky. Responsible for waterfront development in Louisville, Ky.   Ottenheimer Goes to KaremPete Karem, Former Chief Justice of the Circuit Court in Jefferson County Ky George Kasem, Former Congressman (CA) Theodore Kattouf, U.S Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Abraham Kazen, Former Congressman (TX) Steven Kfoury, City Council President, Lawrence (MA) Don Korrey, County Commissioner, Logan County (CO) 1990-1994 Ray LaHood, Congressman (IL) George Latimer, Former Mayor of St. Paul Minnesota. Thomas Lazieh, Mayor, Central Falls (RI) 1990-1996 Alfred J. Libous, Mayor, Binghamton, NY for 12 years.  First Generation Lebanese. Thomas Libous, State Senator, New York.  Second Generation Lebanese. James Maloof, Former Mayor of Peoria, IL Walid Malouf, Mr. Walid Maalouf served as the Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2003.  Author of the book   How Many Times… I told you Reflections, Memories and Hope for Lebanon.  www.walidmalouf.com Marianne Yarid McGuire, Michigan State Board of Education George Mitchell, Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader; Lebanese on his mother’s side. Herb Mocol, Mayor, Mankato (MN) 1972-1987 Toby Moffett, US Representative of Connecticut (1975-1982) George Mowad, Mayor, Oakdale (LA) 1972-1992 Joseph Nahra, Ohio Court of Appeals Lee Namey, Mayor, Wilkes-Barre (PA) 1988-1995 Thomas Nassif, US Ambassador to Morocco (1985-1988) Eugene Nicholas, served in the ND state legislature for over 30 years as the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee & won many awards. Mary Rose Oakar, US Representative of Ohio (1977-1993) Nick Rahall II, 20-year veteran Congressman of West Virginia, grandson of Lebanese immigrants. Honored with the Najeeb Halaby Award for Public Service at the Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Award Gala in 2004. Paul Michael Wihbey Roosevelt American Ambassador and longest-serving White House Chief of Protocol (1982-1989) Joan Haddad Saliba, Mayor, Hartwell (GA) Tony Sayegh, Village trustee in Tuckahoe, NY and was youngest candidate to run for state assembly. George Shadid, Illinois State SenatorRandel C. Shadid, Mayor, Edmond (OK) Jeanne Shaheen, Governor of the State of New Hampshire Donna Shalala, Former Secretary of State for Health and Human Services under the Clinton Administration (and the longest to serve in the post). Greg Simon, Director of Domestic Policy, Office of Vice President Anthony Solomon, Rhode Island State Treasurer, 1976-1984, 1989-1992 John E. Sununu Sr, Former Governor (NH) and White House Chief of Staff (1989-1991) John Sununu Jr, Congressman (NH) James J. Tayoun, City Councilman, Philadelphia (PA) 1975-1987 Helen Thomas, a 50-year veteran with U.S. International and the Dean of the White House Press Corps; served with eight U.S. presidents since 1961  Richard Thomas, County Commission Chairman, Hampden County (MA) Rose Allan Tucker, County Commissioner, Luzerne County – Chairwoman 1991-1995 (PA) Brian Wahby, Assistant City Treasurer, St. Louis (MO) Tracy A. Yokich, Michigan State Representative 1991-1996 Joe Wardy,  Business man elected mayor of El Paso Texas May 2003, family origin is Zahle Lebanon. Sam Hanna Zakhem, U.S Ambassador (1986-1989) and Recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Dennis Zine, Los Angeles City Councilman, Third Council District, has also been an educator, a police officer, and Director of the Police Protection League.  Zine is actively involved in wide-ranging, pressing and controversial issues in Los Angeles County and speaks directly with his constituents the first Thursday of every month at 9 PM on “Zine at Nine,” at Time-Warner cable TV program on Channel 6 during The Parallax View.  He chairs a committee involved with women’s and children’s issues, is on several boards and vital political committees and introduced over 30 key motions in two years’ time.Charles Zogby, Secretary of Education, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

RELIGION

Most Reverend Bishop Stephen H. Doueihi, of St. Maron of Brooklyn for the Maronites and Recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Raymond Kayal Sr., National Chairman of the Order of St. Nicholas, member of the Melkite Eparchial Finance Council and Recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Metropolitan Philip Saliba, Recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Archbishop Francis M. Zayek, Recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

SPORTS

Jim Baxis, Former second baseman for Cleveland Indians baseball team. Eddie Elias, Founded the Bowling Association of America. John Elway, Former quarterback for the Denver Broncos football team. Doug Flutie, Quarterback for the San Diego Chargers football team. Bill George, Former Hall of Fame linebacker for the Chicago Bears football team. Jeff George, Quarterback for the Washington Redskins football team. Elias Ghanem, Head of the Las Vegas Boxing Association. Abe Gibran, Former offensive lineman and coach for the Chicago Bears football team. Brian Habib, Former lineman for the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks football teams. John Jaha, The first baseman for the Oakland A’s. Kerbawy family, Former owners of the Detroit Lions football team. Rich Kotite, Former NFL coach Joe Lahoud, Former leftfielder for the Boston Red Sox baseball team. Fred Maalouf, Former quarterback for the St. Louis Cardinals football team. George Maloof, Former owner of the Houston Rockets NBA basketball team. Maloof Brothers, Owners of the Sacramento Kings basketball team. Zuhair “Steve” Mansour, Weightlifting’s Grandmaster of the World in 1990. Bobby Rahal, Won the Indianapolis 500 in auto racing in 1986. Current CART team owner; acted as interim president-CEO of CART until Dec., 2000 but resigned to assume position with Jaguar Formula One team. Joe Robbie, Former owner of the Miama Dolphins football team. Fuad Rubeiz, Former kicker for the Minnesota Vikings football team. Fred Saigh, Former owner of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. Pete Sarron, Former featherweight boxing champion. Rony Seikaly, Former NBA center for various clubs. Frank Skaff, Former manager for the Detroit Tigers baseball team. Victor Taweel, Former lightweight boxing champion.