IN PICTURES: Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce March Power Lunch Featuring Surprise Appearance by HBO Ringside Boxing Commentator Emmanuel Steward

(STERLING HEIGHTS, MI)...The Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce (LACC) held its monthly President’s ‘Power Lunch’ today at Ike's Lebanese Restaurant, gathering some of the region’s top business and civic leaders including: captains of industry, chief executives, financial gurus, medical & legal experts, academic heads, successful entrepreneurs, and fast-growing young professionals. This highly anticipated series is an extension of the Leadership Luncheon program, which was spearheaded in 2006 by LACC President & CEO John Akouri, and features prominent elected officials and decision-makers from throughout the country. At today's event, Hall of Famer & HBO ringside sports announcer Emmanuel Steward, made a surprise appearance to the luncheon, orchestrated by Akouri. Among the world champions who have trained or sought the legendary boxing manager's guidance at some point of their career include Thomas Hearns, Oscar de la Hoya, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis. Steward achieved his most notable success with welterweight Hearns, whom he changed from a light hitting boxer into a devastating puncher. Hearns became one of Steward's most successful and popular fighters, fighting Sugar Ray Leonard, knocking out Roberto Duran, and challenging undisputed Middleweight Champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler in a fight known as The War. Akouri & Steward's friendship dates back twenty years to when Akouri first interviewed Steward live on television from the famous Kronk Gym in the late 1980's.

In addition to Akouri and Steward, luncheon guests included: Bunkspeed Executive Creative Director Sam Ajluni, Andary Real Estate Chairman Fred Andary, Ansara Restaurant Group (Big Boy/ Red Robin) Vice President & LACC Chairman of the Board Lew Ansara, Atrient, Inc., Founder & CEO Sam Attisha, St. John Hospital & Medical Center Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Richard Cross (Saliba), The Long Family Auto Center President/Owner & Detroit Philanthropist Tarik Daoud, Consulate of Macedonia Consul General & Chief Diplomat His Excellency Igor Dukoski, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church of Troy, Parish Council Member Ghassan Elian, Chrysler Executive Awni Fakhoury, OYK Engineering & Construction President Fred M. Hadid, NSK-Warner U.S.A., Inc. President George Habbouche, Michigan Mortgage Brokers Association Past President Steve Hagar, Metro East Chamber of Commerce Chairman Maroun Hakim, Esq., French American Chamber of Commerce President Robert Hudson, Esq., Signature Associates Retail Division Vice President Daniel T. Jacob, Former Detroit FBI Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge & Kerby, Bailey & Associates Vice-President Bill Kowalski, DDS, J-Mack Investigative & Security Solutions & Former Mount Clemens Police Chief Joe Macksoud, Matta Restaurant Group President & CEO (Dennys) Walid Matta, Paramount Bank Executive Vice-President Louis J. Peters, Jr., Peninsula Wealth Management Group/UBS First Vice-President Ron Pruette, Channel 7 Action News Financial Survival Team Analyst Jack Riashi, Wayne County Sheriff Commander Sammy Rizkallah, Seikaly & Stewart Law Firm Partner William R. Seikaly, Esq., ACN, Inc. Vice President of Customer Operations Claude Semaan, Michigan District Court Officer/Bailiff Gregory J. Saffady, and Chrysler NVH Development Laboratory Manager Elie Tohme.

The President’s Power Lunch series is an exclusive meeting designed to create new rules and new avenues for powerful impact in the region and business world. It is about bringing business leaders together to discuss current and future goals while forging tangible relationships that turn networking into substantial gains for Chamber members, associates and the business community. The goals and objectives of the Chamber’s new luncheon series are focused at achieving business objectives well beyond foremost organizations and prime individuals across the nation. These structured business goals are aggressive and participants are part of the power of working together to further deliver the mission and contribute to the overall growth and advancement of the national Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce.