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A History of Greece as the Yachting Capital of the World

In 1969 Bill Lefakinis a Greek born and ex-CEO of General Motors, ex-Chairman of
United States bred businessman envisioned the Board of Intercontinental Hotels
a dream, which has since become a reality Corp. Mr. Hans Sternik, ex-German
- Greece, The Yachting Capital of the President Richard Fon Weizsacker,
World.Bill left Greece at the early age internationally acclaimed cellist Mr.
of 13 to pursue a better life and future Rostropovich, Bruce Springsteen, Sting,
for himself and his family. Bill attended John Denver, Kenny Rogers and Charlton
the Hackley School and The University of Heston. He has been an advisor to the
Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business Greek National Tourist Organization,
on full scholarships and served in the US Greek Ministry of the Merchant Marine and
Army and the Greek Air Force. Having member of the Greek Government's Advisory
worked and traveled extensively as Chief Council for the Development of Greece,
Executive Officer of Filtrine yachting marinas, and the yachting
International Co., Bill finally returned infrastructure.In 1978, with the
to Greece in 1969 where he started his increasingly heavy air pollution in
own company, Valef Yachts.At that time Athens and water pollution in the
there were no marinas in Greece and only Hellenic Seas, Bill co-founded "PAKOE"
about 30 yachts, 20 of which were for (The Panhellenic Ecological Research
private use. There was no national Foundation) together with a group of
concept of the wealth Greece had to offer volunteer scientists and doctors. As the
to the yachting world. Its unique Secretary General of the organization, he
history, civilization, hospitality, 4,000 chartered airplanes and helicopters to
islands and 13,000 miles of seashore take hundreds of air samples by
(twice that of the USA where only 18% was University and Government scientists
yacht friendly compared to Greece's 99%) (including reporters abroad) to analyze
made it most ideal for the world of yacht the contents for air pollution around the
chartering. Bill, after realizing the Acropolis, Athens as well had several
immense potential of Greek yachting, went Valef Yachts with the same groups to test
to work applying his know-how taken from for water pollution in the seas. All
his Greek and American business exposure. evidence was confirmed by Government
He convinced four of his friends to let scientific laboratories and independent
him charter their yachts and after almost research centers. The high extent of
forty years of constant work, marketing, pollution was widely published with
public relations, pressure to the various articles, photos to all the media as well
Greek Governments to promote this unique as full reports to the Greek Authorities
tourist feature that is second to NONE, including the President, Prime Minister
Bill's dedication finally paid off. and all parliamentary members. As a
Today, Greece has over 20,000 yachts for matter of fact, pollution was the main
charter and for private use, and over 50 subject for the next year's election. Now
marinas. Valef Yachts became a successful the Greek Seas are the cleanest in Europe
and trusted company with offices in the according to the findings of the European
states and in Greece. Bill began his Union and the air pollution has dropped
company and single-handedly created a dramatically, the Parthenon is protected
vision and a revolution in the yachting and many laws have been made to protect
world in Greece with his motto since 1969 the environment.Bill and Kathy, his wife
being, "Discover The Yachting World of of 27 years; run the North American
Greece."To accomplish this, together with Headquarters of Valef Yachts and Bill
Panos Tsafos, Bill founded and presided travels frequently to the Greek
over The Professional Yacht Owners headquarters always keeping his finger on
Association, became Secretary General of the pulse of the market. Kathy and Bill
the Hellenic Yacht Brokers Association met in 1978 while she was traveling in
and Consultants Association, and Greece. Within months they were married
organized the Association of Greek Yacht and moved to Greece where they settled
Crews in order to coordinate efforts to and began working together. Kathy and
improve yacht chartering in Greece. He Bill realized in 1981 the need to
also started a magazine called "Sea and establish a USA North and South American
Yachting" to enlighten Greeks about the Headquarters for more direct contact and
beauty of their islands, their potential more efficient response and information
as well as the importance of for potential clients. Running two
participating in seawater sports. He offices half way around the world from
constantly wrote caustic articles each other keep Kathy and Bill quite
addressed to the Greek Government busy.In 1986 Bill, as President of Valef
regarding their apathy about improving Yachts and President of the Yacht Owners
conditions and laws to govern properly Association, invited 200 American yacht
professional yachting in Greece. Bill brokers on 20 yachts to "Discover the
also became co-publisher of the English Yachting World of Greece." They went to
Daily Newspaper "Athens Mirror," in 1971, many islands where mayors of the islands
became a member of the Foreign Press greeted all with parties and festivities
Association, The Greek Travel Agents and the famous Greek Easter was
Association, Hellenic American Chamber of celebrated with the traditional roasted
Commerce, Greek Ship owner's Club and lamb on the fire and great fun was had by
many others.In his efforts to promote all.Such hard work leads to an
Greece internationally, Bill brought the appreciation and understanding of a
Miss Universe Contest to Greece in 1973 proper vacation. This has given them
(it was the first time they held the further insight into the development of
competition overseas); movies James Bond the ultimate holiday vacation that caters
in 1980 & 1983 and The Greek Tycoon; TV that caters to the clients every desire.
series The Love Boat in 1980, Heart to The personal touch and hands on approach
Heart, The Life Styles of the Rich and offered by the yacht owners make
Famous with Robin Leach, The Evening chartering a luxury yacht with Valef
Magazine (which featured Greece for one Yachts a true pleasure.Bill and Kathy's
entire week), The Arthur Frommer Show, two daughters, Alexandra and Kassandra,
Eyes on LA, Canadian and Japanese have spent numerous summers working in
Government television; magazines Playboy the yachting business, learning the ropes
and Penthouse, Conde Nast's "The from the ground up. Having been brought
Traveler" and dozens of other up in both countries spending quality
international TV shows, movies and time in Europe and cruising the Aegean,
magazines continuing to the present. they have a great head start in knowing
Internationally noted personalities were Greece, what yachting is all about, and
brought to Greece by Bill to promote what the client ultimately desires.
yachting. To name a few, Hugh Hefner and Alexandra and Kassandra both passionately
daughter Christina, Bob Cuccione, John work where Valef Yachts has its roots;
and Bo Derek, John Wayne, Anthony Quinn, and continue to infuse fresh energy into
Christina Onassis, Baron Hans Heinrich their family business and one of the
von Thyssen, Patricia Gucci - fashion first names in Greek Yachting.Valef
designer, Yachts remains a company that continues
Claude Arpels - Van Cleef and Arpels to flourish, raise industry standards and
jewellers, client expectations while remaining
Garavani Valentino - fashion designer, firmly anchored in the ever-flourishing
Max Fisher, John Clinton (Chairman of Greek yachting community. All of the
Dunhill and Rothman Group), Ernest Gallo, above activities have finally helped
Giovanni-Yanelli of Fiat, Henry Ford II establish Greece as the Center of the
of Ford Motor Corporation, Roger Smith, Yachting World!




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