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| 2011 Atlas Wholesale Food Company Atlas Web Design~ Contact WebMaster |
Our Late President,
Petro Kotsis (1928-2011)
Petro was a legend in the Detroit foodservice industry, fostering trusting and loyal relationships with hundreds of Detroit-
area restaurants and suppliers.
Throughout his life, Petro humbly and selflessly served his country, community, church and family. After his graduation in
1950 from Wayne State University with a Bachelors of Business Administration and a minor in Physical Education, Petro
served as a radio operator during the Korean War. Upon his return, he worked for his father, Athanasios Kotsis, at Atlas
Importing Company. As a visionary leader, Petro expanded Atlas Importing Company and transformed it from a small
grocery store in the Eastern Market area to a thriving successful wholesale food distributor serving restaurants throughout
southeast Michigan. During this transformation, Petro became the founder and president of Atlas Wholesale Food
Company.
In his business as in his life, Petro prioritized the values of fairness, sincerity, loyalty and dedication. As Atlas Wholesale
Food Company matured, Petro’s brothers and sisters joined him in the business to help it grow. Through the years, Petro
remained the heart of the company through the service that he provided to his customers, suppliers and employees /
family. Petro loved his Church, the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in St. Clair Shores, MI. He was an exemplary
Steward and a major force in the development of the parish and Church community.
Petro is the eldest son of Athanasios and Aglaia Kotsis. Petro is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Stamatia (known as
Lou), his cherished daughter Helene (Gary) Romanelli and his three adored grandsons, Michael, Matthew and Peter. Petro
is the beloved brother of Daphne (the late Deano) Moraitis, Roxanne (Paul) Andoni, John (Deborah) Kotsis, Theodore
(Brenda) Kotsis, and Chrysanthe (David) Kohl and the late Helen Thomas, Alexandra Venettis and James Kotsis, and
respected uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Petro created a foundation at Atlas based on customer service, trust, loyalty, and an entrepreneurial spirit. These are the
values that will continue to drive Atlas.
John Kotsis
Board of Directors, President
John can be credited for spearheading the sales force for more than 35 years. In addition to sales, John worked with his
brother, Ted Kotsis, on several large scale projects: moving the business to a new, larger facility in 1976, implementing a
company wide computer system in 1984, and designing a state of the art 120,000 cubic foot on site freezer facility in 1989.
Prior to joining Atlas Wholesale Food Co full time, John worked as a Digital Design Engineer for General Dynamics in
Rochester, New York and Fort Worth, Texas. At General Dynamics, John was responsible for designing navigation and
weapons systems for the F-111 Swing-Wing Fighter Jet. In 1967 John earned his Bachelors of Science in Electrical
Engineering from the Detroit Institute of Technology.
John is the third eldest son of Athas Kotsis; founder of Atlas Wholesale Food Co. John is happily married for 25 years with
four children. John is also a proud grandfather of four grandchildren.
Ted Kotsis
Board of Directors, Chief Financial Officer
Ted is responsible for the company’s finances, managing both accounts payable and accounts receivable. With over 35
years experience of managing Atlas Wholesale Food Co’s finances, Ted brings an analytical approach to the dynamic
business environment.
Earlier in his career, Ted worked at Computer Programming Institute (CPI), as a recruiter for the computer programming
and punch entry curriculum. In 1971, Ted earned dual Bachelors of Science degrees, Physics and Mathematics, from
Wayne State University.
Ted is the youngest son of Athas Kotsis; founder of Atlas Wholesale Food Co. Ted is happily married for more than 30
years, and has three children. One of his children, Emmanuel Kotsis, now works at Atlas Wholesale Food Co as well.
Emmanuel has been working as summer help only, as he is currently pursuing a advanced degree.
John Kohl
Chief Executive Officer
John leads the organization. John came from a background in sales and marketing across multiple industries.
Prior to joining Atlas Wholesale Food Co, John worked for Bluelinx Corporation, formally Georgia Pacific, in Atlanta,
Georgia. Prior to Bluelinx, John worked for AT&T in Atlanta, Georgia. John graduated cum laude from Miami University of
Ohio in 2004 with his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. He is currently enrolled in the Ross School of
Business at the University of Michigan perusing his Masters of Business Administration.
John is the grandson of Athas Kotsis; founder of Atlas Wholesale Food Co. John represents the 3rd generation to join the
company. John is happily married and is the proud father of Henry David Kohl.
Petro Kotsis (1928-2011)
Petro was a legend in the Detroit foodservice industry, fostering trusting and loyal relationships with hundreds of Detroit-
area restaurants and suppliers.
Throughout his life, Petro humbly and selflessly served his country, community, church and family. After his graduation in
1950 from Wayne State University with a Bachelors of Business Administration and a minor in Physical Education, Petro
served as a radio operator during the Korean War. Upon his return, he worked for his father, Athanasios Kotsis, at Atlas
Importing Company. As a visionary leader, Petro expanded Atlas Importing Company and transformed it from a small
grocery store in the Eastern Market area to a thriving successful wholesale food distributor serving restaurants throughout
southeast Michigan. During this transformation, Petro became the founder and president of Atlas Wholesale Food
Company.
In his business as in his life, Petro prioritized the values of fairness, sincerity, loyalty and dedication. As Atlas Wholesale
Food Company matured, Petro’s brothers and sisters joined him in the business to help it grow. Through the years, Petro
remained the heart of the company through the service that he provided to his customers, suppliers and employees /
family. Petro loved his Church, the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in St. Clair Shores, MI. He was an exemplary
Steward and a major force in the development of the parish and Church community.
Petro is the eldest son of Athanasios and Aglaia Kotsis. Petro is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Stamatia (known as
Lou), his cherished daughter Helene (Gary) Romanelli and his three adored grandsons, Michael, Matthew and Peter. Petro
is the beloved brother of Daphne (the late Deano) Moraitis, Roxanne (Paul) Andoni, John (Deborah) Kotsis, Theodore
(Brenda) Kotsis, and Chrysanthe (David) Kohl and the late Helen Thomas, Alexandra Venettis and James Kotsis, and
respected uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Petro created a foundation at Atlas based on customer service, trust, loyalty, and an entrepreneurial spirit. These are the
values that will continue to drive Atlas.
John Kotsis
Board of Directors, President
John can be credited for spearheading the sales force for more than 35 years. In addition to sales, John worked with his
brother, Ted Kotsis, on several large scale projects: moving the business to a new, larger facility in 1976, implementing a
company wide computer system in 1984, and designing a state of the art 120,000 cubic foot on site freezer facility in 1989.
Prior to joining Atlas Wholesale Food Co full time, John worked as a Digital Design Engineer for General Dynamics in
Rochester, New York and Fort Worth, Texas. At General Dynamics, John was responsible for designing navigation and
weapons systems for the F-111 Swing-Wing Fighter Jet. In 1967 John earned his Bachelors of Science in Electrical
Engineering from the Detroit Institute of Technology.
John is the third eldest son of Athas Kotsis; founder of Atlas Wholesale Food Co. John is happily married for 25 years with
four children. John is also a proud grandfather of four grandchildren.
Ted Kotsis
Board of Directors, Chief Financial Officer
Ted is responsible for the company’s finances, managing both accounts payable and accounts receivable. With over 35
years experience of managing Atlas Wholesale Food Co’s finances, Ted brings an analytical approach to the dynamic
business environment.
Earlier in his career, Ted worked at Computer Programming Institute (CPI), as a recruiter for the computer programming
and punch entry curriculum. In 1971, Ted earned dual Bachelors of Science degrees, Physics and Mathematics, from
Wayne State University.
Ted is the youngest son of Athas Kotsis; founder of Atlas Wholesale Food Co. Ted is happily married for more than 30
years, and has three children. One of his children, Emmanuel Kotsis, now works at Atlas Wholesale Food Co as well.
Emmanuel has been working as summer help only, as he is currently pursuing a advanced degree.
John Kohl
Chief Executive Officer
John leads the organization. John came from a background in sales and marketing across multiple industries.
Prior to joining Atlas Wholesale Food Co, John worked for Bluelinx Corporation, formally Georgia Pacific, in Atlanta,
Georgia. Prior to Bluelinx, John worked for AT&T in Atlanta, Georgia. John graduated cum laude from Miami University of
Ohio in 2004 with his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. He is currently enrolled in the Ross School of
Business at the University of Michigan perusing his Masters of Business Administration.
John is the grandson of Athas Kotsis; founder of Atlas Wholesale Food Co. John represents the 3rd generation to join the
company. John is happily married and is the proud father of Henry David Kohl.
From left to right: Ted Kotsis, Mike Kotsis,
Pete Kotsis, John Kohl, & John Kotsis
Pete Kotsis, John Kohl, & John Kotsis