Page 42 - LIN_December_2023_web_file

LOU VLASHO American Son of Macedonia

he monographic work "Lou Vlasho - an American son of of Certified Management
Macedonia" is an edition of "Macedonian Spark" from Accountant (CMA), in 1975.
TSkopje, printed in 2022, on 330 pages in English and A strong supporter of
Macedonian, whose editors are the journalist Herriet Heithaus from Macedonia's independence,
the United States and the publicist Slave’ Katin from Macedonia. he among other things helped
It is the life story of Lou (Ilia) Vlasho, a native American of facilitate scholarship programs
Macedonian descent from the Aegean part of Macedonia and a at Ohio University that
well-known businessman in the United States. brought numerous Macedonian
The life story of the Vlasho family is a very interesting page from scholarship students to the United States. His vision of mentoring
the mosaic of the Macedonian emigrant chronicle in the United these students helped them integrate into American society and to act
States, but also in the wider areas of the North American continent. as student ambassadors for Macedonia.
Lou, whose Macedonian name is Ilia, is a well-known activist for Lou is an honorary board member of Habitat for Humanity in
the affirmation of the Macedonian name, language, identity, culture Macedonia, which provides simple, decent and affordable housing
and traditions in the multi-ethnic map of the United States. The solutions for those living in poverty. Thanks to his efforts, in 2008
life story of the Vlasho family is, at the same time, a modest part Collier County Habitat for Humanity signed a partnership with
of the history of the Macedonians from Aegean Macedonia, of the Habitat for Humanity of Macedonia.
Macedonians in the diaspora, and through it, of the grandfather's As a sign of gratitude to Lou Vlasho for his commitment to the
homeland - Macedonia. work and progress of the Macedonian cause, the government of the
The reader learns that Lou Vlasho, a Methodist, was a close Republic of Macedonia appointed him Honorary Consul of the
friend of the late Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski, also a Republic of Macedonia to the United States of America in 2007. The
Methodist. As religious like-minded people, they helped spread the Honorary Consulate opened in Naples, Florida, in February 2008. This
President’s vision for the World Conference on Building Dialogue is also the year in which Lou Vlasho was awarded the special cross of
between Religions in Macedonia and in the World, which continues “St. Stanislas” at a ceremony in Kiev, Ukraine for his charitable services.
to this day. For more than a decade, Vlasho was actively involved in Finally the reader learns in the monograph that Lou Vlasho is
the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. and was an honorary member of the Council of the United Macedonian
instrumental in establishing a luncheon for guests from the Balkans. Diaspora (UMD), for his contribution, especially in helping with the
Lou was born in Canton, Ohio to parents who immigrated from development of the first member of the Congressional Caucus on
Aegean Macedonia to the United States seeking a better life. "Lou Macedonia, the expansion of Macedonian-American relations, as well
Vlasho - an American son of Macedonia", spans 50 years of his career as obtaining the necessary support from the Congress for Macedonia’s
as a manager in various positions with Fortune 400 Corporation and membership in NATO.
private companies’ property including being awarded the designation

42 Life in Naples | December 2023