Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is extremely fortunate to have among its members many outstanding national leaders including Barry Kuppermann, consistently named one of the "Best Doctors in America" since 1996. Dr. Kuppermann, who fulfills a dual role for the EyeCare Project as an AECP physician and board member, was also named the "Best Ophthalmologist in Orange County." An associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Kuppermann did his undergraduate work in biophysics at the University of California, Berkeley, received his Ph.D. in neuroscience from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, and his medical degree from the University of Miami.
David Keligian, chief financial officer, has given many hours providing invaluable assistance to the EyeCare Project during its incorporation process and with other legal and financial set-up required for a new nonprofit organization. A tax attorney and shareholder in The Busch Firm, Irvine, Keligian brings to the board expert qualifications in law, accounting and finance. He received his J.D. with Moot Court honors, his M.B.A. as a dean's scholar, and his B.S. in accounting, magna cum laude – all from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
A father of four – two girls and two boys, Keligian is married to Diane Barsam, daughter of board member Vartkes Barsam. Despite his busy legal practice, Keligian contributes his time to a number of family, community, and Armenian activities. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Diocese Endowment Fund; the Board of Directors of the Orange County Armenian Professional Society; and a prior member and prior chairman of the Legal Committee of the Ararat Home of Los Angeles.
Meredith and Ken Khachigian, the dynamic couple, are helping the EyeCare Project establish a solid foundation so that it can move forward with its five highly-regarded programs and the new Mobile Eye Hospital, helping thousands more Armenians through prevention and early intervention programs. Both Meredith and Ken have extensive experience in the corporate and nonprofit worlds, enabling them to contribute invaluable experience and talent.
Meredith Khachigian was elected chairperson of the Board of Regents of the University of California for three terms, serving as leader of the Number One public research university in the nation and overseeing a $15 million budget. A consultant in community and public affairs, she has served as president of Human Options, a shelter for battered women, president of the U.C. Santa Barbara Alumni Association, and chairperson of the U.C. Irvine Foundation. She is also a founding member of the U.C. Merced Foundation and is the former executive director of Vital Link-Orange County, a group that matches high school students' education with the needs of their future employers. Khachigian received her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is the recipient of numerous awards including the Chancellor's Medal and Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of California, Santa Barbara, the 1998 Extraordinarius Award from the U.C. Irvine Alumni Association, the U.C. Irvine Medal, and the National Association of Women Business Owners' Pioneering Woman of the Year.
The other half of this exceptional team, Ken Khachigian, is an attorney and founding partner of the Los Angeles law firm Smiland & Khachigian. He earned his bachelor's degree with honors in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and holds a J.D. degree from Columbia University in New York City.
Khachigian, who has earned a reputation as one of the nation's most experienced and respected political and issues strategists, has complemented his legal practice by serving at the highest levels of government in a distinguished career of public service. He was an editorial consultant to former President Richard Nixon for the preparation of his memoirs. In 1979, Khachigian joined the Reagan for President campaign and in 1980 traveled with Reagan as senior adviser and chief speechwriter during his successful presidential effort. President Reagan commissioned him as special consultant to the president and a senior member of the White House staff. There, Khachigian collaborated on many of the president's most prominent public addresses. He served a similar senior advisory role for the Bush-Quayle campaign in 1988, traveling with Vice-Presidential nominee Dan Quayle for 10 weeks through Election Day.
George Deukmejian was born and raised in New York, attended the local college and was nicknamed "Duke" by his fellow students. He earned his law degree at St. John's University in NYC and practiced law in New York before serving with the U.S. Army in Paris. Returning to the U.S., Deukmejian established a law practice in Southern California, and eventually served the California State Legislature for 16 years as a state assemblyman and a state senator. As a legislator, he sponsored the "Use a gun, go to jail" law. Deukmejian then became attorney general before serving as governor of California for two terms from January 1983 through January 1992. During Deukmejian's governorship, nearly three million new jobs were created and California became one of the world's ten largest economies. After he left the governor's office, Deukmejian devoted his time to numerous philanthropic and charitable causes.
John Hovanesian is an ophthalmologist in Laguna Hills, Calif., and a member of the teaching faculty at the UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute. Recognized internationally for his research in optimizing the quality of vision after laser vision correction, he specializes in corneal and refractive surgery. Prior to developing an interest in laser vision correction, Dr. Hovanesian published research about improving the vision of glaucoma surgery patients at the University of Michigan's Kellogg Eye Center in Ann Arbor where he also attended medical school and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society as an undergraduate.
Dr. Hovanesian is an Eagle Scout and volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America and a recipient of their highest award for volunteer service. He is the chairman of the Orange County, Calif., association of Armenian Young Professionals. His hobbies include swimming, playing piano, and performing magic. Dr. Hovanesian resides in Laguna Beach with his wife, Tanya, a marketing manager for Taco Bell.
After ten years in operation, the Armenian EyeCare Project was incorporated as a California Nonprofit 501(c) (3) Corporation on Jan. 22, 2002. AECP's Board of Directors was installed at the corporation's first meeting Jan. 26, 2002.
Presided over by President, Roger V. Ohanesian, M.D. the Board of Directors includes Charles Barsam,J.D., Aram Bassenian, AIA, Ms. Joanie Bedrosian, Julian Gangolli, Richard Hill, M.D., David Keligian, J.D., J.D., Barry Kuppermann, M.D., Ph.D., Jane Mahakian, Ph.D. and Jim Mouradick. Advisory Board Members include Marilyn Beck, George Deukmejian, John Hovanesian, M.D., Kenneth Khachigian, J.D., Meredith Khachigian and Debbie Poochgian.
The AECP Board of Directors operates with a traditional nonprofit structure, guided by its bylaws and operating policies. Board and committee meetings are held regularly to manage the organization's affairs. Committees include executive, finance, management, program, fund development, marketing, nominating, bylaws, and personnel. The Board of Directors works diligently to ensure that the highest percentage of donated funds possible go directly to its medical programs in Armenia.
