Have You Met Jeremiah Dellas?
Jeremiah Dellas has a successful practice as a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Town & Country, MO. His clients range from professional athletes and well-known musicians, to small business owners and local banks. Dellas was featured last year in the April 24th, 2006, issue of TIME Magazine where he was recognized as a standout among his peers at NMFN.
2007 has been a banner year for the Dellas family. In January, Jeremiah was honored as one of The St. Louis Business Journal's '40 Under 40' Class of 2007. This honor is reserved for those individuals who are standouts both in their professional lives, as well as in their community, all under the age of forty. More than 400 people were nominated this year. At age 30, Jeremiah was one of the youngest to be selected for the '07 Class. He is currently involved in judging the 2008 group.
In May, the Post-Dispatch featured Jeremiah, his wife Marjorie, and their son Spencer in a special Life & Style section titled “At Home with the Dellas Family”. During the summer months, Jeremiah travels and competes on the EVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour. Of the more than 500 competitors on the Tour, Jeremiah finished 2007 ranked 29th. Recently, Dellas was notified of his selection by St. Louis Magazine as one of the Best Wealth Managers in the St. Louis area and, as such he and the other winners will be featured in an upcoming issue of the magazine.
Dellas began his charitable service early on. Because of his media work with the United Way and the Epilepsy Foundation, as an 8-year-old, Jeremiah garnered to opportunity to meet with the Mayor of St. Louis, the Governor of Missouri and the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan at the time. “The film clip from my visit with Pres. Reagan in the Oval Office is actually archived at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library!” After Reagan’s passing in 2004, Jeremiah was interviewed on television and radio to comment on the former president.
These days, Jeremiah continues to lead by example, encouraging young adults in the St. Louis area by his own heavy involvement in civic nonprofits. Presently he is Chairman-elect of the Epilepsy Foundation, Director on the Lindenwood University Alumni Board, Director for the Michael Jones Foundation, Director for the Hellenic Spirit Foundation, Director for AHEPA, a member on the Advisory Board of L6 Foundation, and serves on the Mentoring Committee for The Missouri Venture Forum. Additionally, he and Marjorie are members of the St. Louis Young Republicans. Jeremiah is of Greek heritage, so naturally, two of his nonprofits are Greek organizations, Hellenic Spirit Foundation, for the advancement of Greek culture, and the AHEPA, the American Hellenic Education and Philanthropic Association. As a member of the Board of Directors for these various not-for-profits, Jeremiah says, “The responsibilities include raising funds and awareness for the organization, as well as ensuring that the direction of each organization is consistent with its mission.”
When Blacktie spoke with Jeremiah, he was excited about starting a new foundation. Created along with Doug Firley & Chris Loesch, co-owners of Shock City Records, and Dr. Cynthia Briggs, Dean of Music Therapy at Maryville University, its name is Feel The Music Foundation. “Our goal is to provide clinical Music Therapy to developmentally disabled and autistic children, and adult stroke victims. Our foundation will be the first of its kind in the St. Louis area,” Jeremiah proudly reports.
His advice for young St. Louisans is this: “Your time is limited, and therefore, extremely valuable. Give your time to causes which you are emotionally attached.” He concludes, “I’d like people to know that I care deeply and am passionate about everything I do! I live my life purposefully. All my involvements are my passions, whether it is my wife, family, work, or charity. I think this fuels the degree to which I’m successful.”
What are your volunteer activities?
Chairman-elect, Epilepsy Foundation
Director, Lindenwood University Alumni Board
Director, Michael Jones Foundation
Director, Hellenic Spirit Foundation
Director, AHEPA Chapter 53
Advisory Board, L6 Foundation
Mentoring Committee, Missouri Venture Forum
Which social event is your favorite? Bowl-a-Rama, Gravity Kills’ Annual Concert, and the St. Louis Greek Festivals
Favorite Restaurant? Spiro's
Who is your hero and why? My Mom. As a single-parent, she raised my sister and me on a shoestring budget in South St. Louis City, on a nurse's salary. She's one of the kindest, strongest, and most optimistic people I know.
Who is the most interesting celebrity you have ever met? Ronald Reagan, in the Oval Office.
If your life were a movie, whom would you want to play your part? Ewan MacGregor or Samuel L. Jackson
Do you have any pets? We love animals, but our allergies preclude them living with us.
When you move, what will your home tell its next owner, about you? We spend most of our time in the family room playing games, reading, and watching FOX NEWS and Wonderpets..
What words describe you best? Integrity-bound, optimistic, helpful connected, competitive, athletic.
What words would you like others to use to describe you? Integrity-bound, optimistic, generous, connected.
What was your first job? Pizza maker/dish washer at Balducci's Restaurant.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Procrastination, I'll tell you more later.
What is the trait you most deplore in others? Pessimism, duplicity.
What is your greatest indulgence? Greek food & music—especially my Dad’s version of Miserlou on Bouzouki.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My beautiful wife, Marjorie
What is your current state of mind? Focused.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? Convincing Marjorie to marry me.
What is your most treasured possession? Our family time at home.
What is the quality you most like in a man? Integrity, Fortuitiveness.
What is the quality you most like in a woman? Integrity, Fortuitiveness.
Favorite books / Writers? Jared Diamond.
What is the best advice you have ever received? "Never let anything hold you back" Ronald Reagan.
