Demetrios Koutsoupias was unanimously voted by the Gastonia City Council to fill the Ward I Council seat vacated by former Councilman Robert Kellogg, who stepped down April 30. The City Council approved the process to fill the vacancy at its April 16 meeting and voted for the replacement on June 18.
The position was advertised in April and the City received 10 applications. Five candidates were selected to participate in an interview process that included the Mayor and City Council. Ward I covers the Southeastern area of the city generally bounded by Gaston Day School Road/Armstrong Park Road to South New Hope Road to Redbud Drive. See a map of city council wards.
“After an extensive application process it was clear to us that Demetri was the right choice to represent Ward I,” said Mayor Richard Franks. “His depth of experience in local municipal government and as a businessman will serve him well as part of the city council and to represent our residents.”
About Demetri Koutsoupias
Councilman Koutsoupias is the owner of Georgio’s Restaurant in Cramerton, NC performing various duties related to finance, marketing, budgeting, and community outreach. His history includes serving as Town Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tempore for the Town of Cramerton, NC for eight years. As an elected official, Commissioner Koutsoupias was involved in the planning for future growth and development in the region, by serving on the Metropolitan Planning Organization to discuss future regional transportation plans and improvements. He served on the Cramerton Planning and Zoning Advisory Board and as the liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
His community involvement includes mentoring youth through teaching and coaching basketball at Stuart W. Cramer High School and the Cramerton Recreation Department. He contributed to the inception of the Stuart W. Cramer High School Athletic Booster Club by establishing it as a federal non-profit (501c-3) public charity organization. He continues to serve on the Bethesda Oaks Neighborhood Architectural Review Committee.
Demetrios attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He, his wife Margarita, and their two boys are excited to have a meaningful impact on the future of Gastonia and its continued mission to be a great place to live.
“I am excited for the opportunity to serve all of the people of Gastonia and apply my municipal government knowledge and experience to contribute to the important causes and issues that we face,” said Koutsoupias. “As our city continues to grow, it is important that we plan with a collective vision, build strong relationships and partnerships, understand the impacts our city has within the region, and provide our staff with the necessary resources to sustain a safe and vibrant community. Together we will continue our mission to be a great place to live.”