Sahagian Appointed Associate Trustee of ACAA Endowment Funds

By Bedros C. Bandazian

At their official meeting on June 30, the Armenian Cultural Association of America, Inc. (ACAA) Board of Directors appointed James G. Sahagian of New Jersey as associate trustee of the ACAA Endowment Funds.

Sahagian has been a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors since 2009. His professional work is with individuals and institutional clients on wealth and risk management, and wealth transfer strategies. He has more than 15 years of professional experience in this field. Sahagian earned his B.S. in accounting from Rutgers University and has a MBA in finance from the Rutgers Graduate School of Management.

Sahagian was involved in establishing and promoting the Armenian Studies Program at Rutgers while a student, and has continued to lead this effort for more than 20 years. The program has sponsored Armenian language and history courses and recently partnered with the university’s Center for Genocide Studies and Human Rights.

The wealth of experience and knowledge that Sahagian brings to the ACAA Endowment Funds will enhance its continuing growth—from humble beginnings of under $195,000 in 1997 to over several million dollars to date. The ACAA provides grants to further Armenian-language newspapers, academic studies, internships, cultural programs, and other endeavors to “foster a better relationship for the Armenian Nation.” The ACAA is proud to have the services of James G. Sahagian and welcome his addition to improve and further the Armenian Cause.

James Sahagian is married to the former Maral Halajian. They have two children, Ari, 11, and Seta, 7. He and his family are members of the St. Leon Armenian Church in New Jersey. The Sahagian Family resides in Airmont, N.Y.

Bedros C. Bandazian is the managing trustee of the ACAA Endowment Funds, the St. James Armenian Church of Richmond, Va., and the Hamazkayin Cultural Association of America, Inc. Endowment Fund, and advisor to several other endowment funds around the country, including that of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, Inc., in its formative years. The Bandazian Family helped establish the AYF Camp Haiastan Endowment Fund and the ANCA Endowment Fund. Bandazian has served on the ACAA Board of Directors and is currently chairman of the Board of Bandazian & Hughes, Inc., a full-service real-estate firm in Richmond, which he established in 1974. For more information on the ACAA Endowment Fund, contact Bandazian by calling (804) 370-5468 or e-mailing at bandaz@aol.com.