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A History of Greece as the Yachting Capital of the World

In 1969 Bill Lefakinis a Greek born andGiovanni-Yanelli of Fiat, Henry Ford II of
United States bred businessman envisioned aFord Motor Corporation, Roger Smith, ex-CEO
dream, which has since become a reality -of General Motors, ex-Chairman of the Board
Greece, The Yachting Capital of theof Intercontinental Hotels Corp. Mr. Hans
World.Bill left Greece at the early age of 13Sternik, ex-German President Richard Fon
to pursue a better life and future forWeizsacker, internationally acclaimed cellist
himself and his family. Bill attended theMr. Rostropovich, Bruce Springsteen, Sting,
Hackley School and The University ofJohn Denver, Kenny Rogers and Charlton
Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business onHeston. He has been an advisor to the Greek
full scholarships and served in the US ArmyNational Tourist Organization, Greek Ministry
and the Greek Air Force. Having worked andof the Merchant Marine and member of the
traveled extensively as Chief ExecutiveGreek Government's Advisory Council for the
Officer of Filtrine International Co., BillDevelopment of Greece, yachting marinas, and
finally returned to Greece in 1969 where hethe yachting infrastructure.In 1978, with the
started his own company, Valef Yachts.At thatincreasingly heavy air pollution in Athens
time there were no marinas in Greece and onlyand water pollution in the Hellenic Seas,
about 30 yachts, 20 of which were for privateBill co-founded "PAKOE" (The Panhellenic
use. There was no national concept of theEcological Research Foundation) together with
wealth Greece had to offer to the yachtinga group of volunteer scientists and doctors.
world. Its unique history, civilization,As the Secretary General of the organization,
hospitality, 4,000 islands and 13,000 mileshe chartered airplanes and helicopters to
of seashore (twice that of the USA where onlytake hundreds of air samples by University
18% was yacht friendly compared to Greece'sand Government scientists (including
99%) made it most ideal for the world ofreporters abroad) to analyze the contents for
yacht chartering. Bill, after realizing theair pollution around the Acropolis, Athens as
immense potential of Greek yachting, went towell had several Valef Yachts with the same
work applying his know-how taken from hisgroups to test for water pollution in the
Greek and American business exposure. Heseas. All evidence was confirmed by
convinced four of his friends to let himGovernment scientific laboratories and
charter their yachts and after almost fortyindependent research centers. The high extent
years of constant work, marketing, publicof pollution was widely published with
relations, pressure to the various Greekarticles, photos to all the media as well as
Governments to promote this unique touristfull reports to the Greek Authorities
feature that is second to NONE, Bill'sincluding the President, Prime Minister and
dedication finally paid off. Today, Greeceall parliamentary members. As a matter of
has over 20,000 yachts for charter and forfact, pollution was the main subject for the
private use, and over 50 marinas. Valefnext year's election. Now the Greek Seas are
Yachts became a successful and trustedthe cleanest in Europe according to the
company with offices in the states and infindings of the European Union and the air
Greece. Bill began his company andpollution has dropped dramatically, the
single-handedly created a vision and aParthenon is protected and many laws have
revolution in the yachting world in Greecebeen made to protect the environment.Bill and
with his motto since 1969 being, "DiscoverKathy, his wife of 27 years; run the North
The Yachting World of Greece."To accomplishAmerican Headquarters of Valef Yachts and
this, together with Panos Tsafos, BillBill travels frequently to the Greek
founded and presided over The Professionalheadquarters always keeping his finger on the
Yacht Owners Association, became Secretarypulse of the market. Kathy and Bill met in
General of the Hellenic Yacht Brokers1978 while she was traveling in Greece.
Association and Consultants Association, andWithin months they were married and moved to
organized the Association of Greek YachtGreece where they settled and began working
Crews in order to coordinate efforts totogether. Kathy and Bill realized in 1981 the
improve yacht chartering in Greece. He alsoneed to establish a USA North and South
started a magazine called "Sea and Yachting"American Headquarters for more direct contact
to enlighten Greeks about the beauty of theirand more efficient response and information
islands, their potential as well as thefor potential clients. Running two offices
importance of participating in seawaterhalf way around the world from each other
sports. He constantly wrote caustic articleskeep Kathy and Bill quite busy.In 1986 Bill,
addressed to the Greek Government regardingas President of Valef Yachts and President of
their apathy about improving conditions andthe Yacht Owners Association, invited 200
laws to govern properly professional yachtingAmerican yacht brokers on 20 yachts to
in Greece. Bill also became co-publisher of"Discover the Yachting World of Greece." They
the English Daily Newspaper "Athens Mirror,"went to many islands where mayors of the
in 1971, became a member of the Foreign Pressislands greeted all with parties and
Association, The Greek Travel Agentsfestivities and the famous Greek Easter was
Association, Hellenic American Chamber ofcelebrated with the traditional roasted lamb
Commerce, Greek Ship owner's Club and manyon the fire and great fun was had by all.Such
others.In his efforts to promote Greecehard work leads to an appreciation and
internationally, Bill brought the Missunderstanding of a proper vacation. This has
Universe Contest to Greece in 1973 (it wasgiven them further insight into the
the first time they held the competitiondevelopment of the ultimate holiday vacation
overseas); movies James Bond in 1980 & 1983that caters that caters to the clients every
and The Greek Tycoon; TV series The Love Boatdesire. The personal touch and hands on
in 1980, Heart to Heart, The Life Styles ofapproach offered by the yacht owners make
the Rich and Famous with Robin Leach, Thechartering a luxury yacht with Valef Yachts a
Evening Magazine (which featured Greece fortrue pleasure.Bill and Kathy's two daughters,
one entire week), The Arthur Frommer Show,Alexandra and Kassandra, have spent numerous
Eyes on LA, Canadian and Japanese Governmentsummers working in the yachting business,
television; magazines Playboy and Penthouse,learning the ropes from the ground up. Having
Conde Nast's "The Traveler" and dozens ofbeen brought up in both countries spending
other international TV shows, movies andquality time in Europe and cruising the
magazines continuing to the present.Aegean, they have a great head start in
Internationally noted personalities wereknowing Greece, what yachting is all about,
brought to Greece by Bill to promoteand what the client ultimately desires.
yachting. To name a few, Hugh Hefner andAlexandra and Kassandra both passionately
daughter Christina, Bob Cuccione, John and Bowork where Valef Yachts has its roots; and
Derek, John Wayne, Anthony Quinn, Christinacontinue to infuse fresh energy into their
Onassis, Baron Hans Heinrich von Thyssen,family business and one of the first names in
Patricia  Gucci  -  fashion  designer,Greek Yachting.Valef Yachts remains a company
that continues to flourish, raise industry
Claude Arpels - Van Cleef and Arpelsstandards and client expectations while
jewellers,remaining firmly anchored in the
ever-flourishing Greek yachting community.
Garavani Valentino - fashion designer, MaxAll of the above activities have finally
Fisher, John Clinton (Chairman of Dunhill andhelped establish Greece as the Center of the
Rothman Group), Ernest Gallo,Yachting World!



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