Christos Cotsakos
Christos M. Cotsakos (born July 29, 1948) is Founder, Chairman of the Board, CEO, and President of Mainstream Holdings.
Early Life & Education
Christos M. Cotsakos is a first-generation Greek-American from Paterson, New Jersey. He is the forth of five children. His mother worked as a store clerk and his father worked as a cook.
Cotsakos graduated from Eastside High School in 1965. He enlisted in the US Army in 1967. He served in the Vietnam War as a fire team leader and squad leader with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1970.
Because of Cotsakos’ poor performance in high school, he used a family connection to get accepted to William Paterson University in New Jersey. He received a BA in Communication from William Paterson in 1973. In 1983, he received an MBA from Pepperdine University. Cotsakos later earned a PhD in Economics from University of London. E*TRADE, which employed Cotsakos at the time, paid for all travel, hotel, and meal expenses relating to the completion of the Ph.D. program.
Personal Life
Christos Cotsakos is married to Tami Cotsakos. She also holds a B.S. in Music and a teaching credential (K-12) from William Paterson University '71. Together they have one daughter, Suzanne Renee. Suzanne pursued an MBA at her father's namesake institution: the Christos M. Cotsakos, College of Business at the William Paterson University.
Philanthropy
Cotsakos served as co-chair for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, together with Senator Charles Hagel (Nebraska) and James Kimsey (founder of America Online). In 2005, Cotsakos agreed to lead a nationwide effort to create an educational center near The Wall in Washington DC.
Awards and Recognition
Cotsakos received the Bronze Star with "V," the Army Commendation Medal with "V," the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, Parachute Wings and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.