Assembly Hosts Winter Weekend In Florida, Confirms Board Election

Washington, D.C. - Last month, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) hosted a Winter Weekend in Delray Beach, Florida on January 16 and 17, which included a special donor event and dynamic briefing along with an evening reception and dinner featuring the John Berberian Ensemble.

At the special donor event, Archbishop Vicken Aykazian provided the invocation and benediction. Co-Chairs Talin Yacoubian and Oscar Tatosian thanked the Committee Members and weekend sponsors. They updated guests and members about the Assembly’s Capital Campaign that is nearing its $3 million goal for the Assembly’s new headquarters. They also extended special thanks to the evening’s hosts, Ed and Susan Atamian, for the generous gift from the Asbed and Margaret Zakarian Foundation, that made possible the Armenian Diocese’s Legate Office in Washington, DC housed within the Armenian Assembly’s offices.

The Assembly briefing provided an opportunity to discuss key issues and ways in which the community can come together to advance shared goals. During the briefing, a congressional overview was provided, including legislation that was recently introduced by a Florida Member of Congress that would repeal Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, which restricts assistance to Azerbaijan. The Armenian Assembly strongly opposes repeal of Section 907 and urges its Members and activists to take action.

During the briefing, Assembly Members Sam and Lucine Kaprielian shared their experience this past summer and how they took a group of non-Armenians to Armenia to help raise awareness and gain a better understanding of the issues facing the first Christian nation. The Assembly also announced its 2026 Spring Advocacy Summit, which will take place the week of April 13th, and will include an Armenian Genocide Commemoration on Capitol Hill featuring remarks by Members of Congress.

The Assembly also held its Board meeting wherein it ratified the Board slate with the following Board Members re-elected to serve a four-year term: Valina Agbabian, Aram Gavoor, Bianka Kadian-Dodov, Alex Karapetian, Peter Mirijanian, Carolyn Mugar, Lu Ann Ohanian, David Onanian, Herman Purutyan, Oscar Tatosian, and Annie Simonian Totah.

In addition to the returning Board Members, the Assembly welcomes Souren Israelyan as the newest member of the Board. Israelyan has been practicing law since 2003 and founded the Law Office of Souren A. Israelyan in 2008.

Massachusetts State Representative David Muradian (R-MA) served as Master of Ceremonies for the dinner with the invocation led by Reverend Father Garabed Kochakian and remarks from Board Member Lu Ann Ohanian, Co-Chairs Talin Yacoubian and Oscar Tatosian, along with President Emerita Carolyn Mugar. Ohanian extended her appreciation to her committee members and sponsors.

Yacoubian emphasized the importance of community and engagement noting that we should all be proud of how the next generation is stepping up and stepping forward. Tatosian echoed Yacoubian's remarks and highlighted the critically important work of the Assembly and recognized and extended the Assembly’s deep gratitude to Pontish Yeramyan for her commitment to become a Life Trustee of the Armenian Assembly. Mugar also extended her appreciation to everyone gathered and highlighted work of the Armenian Tree Project and the upcoming Global Biodiversity Summit (COP17) taking place in Armenia in October of this year. The evening concluded with music and dancing with the John Berberian Ensemble.

The Assembly extends its appreciation to Committee Members.

Susan Atamian

Nancy Eskandarian

Sonia Janian

James Kalustian

Lu Ann Ohanian

The Assembly thanks its Sponsors who through their generosity help support our mission and work.

Presenting Sponsors

Asbed and Margaret Zakarian Foundation,

Edward and Susan Atamian, Trustees

Carolyn Mugar

M. Bruce and Lu Ann Ohanian

Peter and Irene Vosbikian

Platinum Sponsor

Karnig and Karen Durgarian

Gold Sponsor

James and Marta Batmasian

Peter and Marilyn Sarkessian, The Ajemian Foundation

Silver Sponsors

Anthony and Nancy Barsamian

Dr. Seth and Melanie Bilazarian

Jirair and Aline Christianian

Edward and Nancy Eskandarian

Walter and June Hatfield

James Kalustian

Sam and Lucine Kapreilian

Dr. Berdj and Margaret Kiladjian

Gregory and Sandra Jamian

David and Dr. Myrna Onanian

Herman and Laura Purutyan

Hagop and Tamar Tujian



Additional Gifts in Support of Our Work

Dr. Heratch and Sonia Doumanian

Alice Govaert

Hratch Karakachian

Edna Keleshian

Dr. Richard Mikaelian

Thomas Family Foundation

Lisa Nersesian Richardson and Sean Richardson

Paul and Diane Surabian

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a strictly non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

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