Hall of Fame's Veras recognized with Leadership 100 award

The Pro Football Hall of Fame's chief operating officer and executive producer has been honored for achievements in his career and his contributions to the Greek Orthodox church and Greek culture.

George Veras this month received the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Excellence. He was recognized last weekend during the Leadership 100 organization's 28th annual conference in Boca Raton, Fla.

"This is one of the highest honors bestowed upon Greek American leaders who have excelled in their careers and who are committed to the advancement of orthodoxy and hellenism," the presenter said to Veras during the awards ceremony. "We acknowledge your pursuit of excellence guided by your faith and appreciation of your heritage."

Leadership 100 is a fund established in 1984 as an endowment for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Members pledge to contribute $100,000 within 10 years.

Since its inception, the fund has provided more than $51 million in grants and currently has more than 1,000 members.

Award winners aren't required to be members. Previous winners include Sen. Olympia Snowe, TV news anchor George Stephanopoulos and former Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet.

Veras has won 10 Emmys, but he said the Leadership 100 award is particularly special.

"I actually think it's probably the top," he said, "because it involves so much my family and faith, and those are the most important things."