At its annual gala on June 26, 2014, the City College of New York (CCNY) honored E. James Stergiou, FCAS, with its Presidential Award. The award recognizes outstanding leadership in fundraising for CCNY and the New York student community. Stergiou is in good company; previous CCNY Presidential Award winners include General Colin Powell and former New York Mayor Edward Koch.
An outstanding leader often learns from example. And Stergiou credits his parents for his good fortune, life and career.
Stergiou grew up on New York City’s Upper West Side, the only child of Greek immigrants. He attended CCNY, graduating in 1971 with a degree in mathematics. When Stergiou was looking to turn math into a career, a CCNY placement officer recommended the actuarial profession. Stergiou began taking actuarial exams in pursuit of a property-casualty credential. “I was intrigued with the fact that I could use more of my judgment in the casualty area, rather than relying on life/pension tables,” he said.
After achieving his FCAS, Stergiou founded the consulting firm E. James Stergiou Risk Consultants, which, in time, grew into SGRisk, LLC.
When he considered his success, he would always point to his parents’ lasting influence and the educational opportunities afforded to him. “I know I cannot ever repay my folks for their guidance and help, but I can try to help others in tribute to them and also to the actuarial profession,” he said. And so at his alma maters CCNY and Stuyvesant High School, Stergiou annually funds the William and Anita Stergiou Scholarships for Actuarial Studies, honoring his parents and his career.
CCNY chose Stergiou for its Presidential Award because he supports education. The award presentation was all the more poignant because the award was presented by Suprita Datta, a CCNY sophomore and a past winner of the William and Anita Stergiou Scholarship for Actuarial Studies when she attended Stuyvesant. Present at the ceremony were his wife of 41 years, Roseanne Stergiou, and his two children, Bill Stergiou and Andy Stergiou, both of whom work in the insurance business.
Stergiou volunteered for the CAS Centennial Commemorative Subcommittee and attended the Centennial Celebration. “The Centennial means a lot to me,” he said. “It symbolizes and personifies the lasting nature and influence our Society has had on casualty actuarial work around the world.”
In concluding his acceptance speech at CCNY, Stergiou asked the audience to remember three principal takeaways from his life. He said, “Always remember where you came from, honor those who helped you along the way, and always give back.”
Matt Caruso is the membership and volunteer manager for the CAS.
