Demetri Patitsas believes the young people of his generation should always strive for the highest level of civic duty.

A recent graduate of Juniata College and resident of a small town in rural Huntingdon, PA, young student entrepreneur Demetri Patitsas was destined for entrepreneurial heights. Born into an Orthodox Christian family of five brothers, a loving mother, and a supportive father; Patitsas and his family moved to Huntingdon, PA in 1990 from Cleveland, Ohio. Attending Huntingdon Area High School, Patitsas participated in a rigorous and challenging academic and athletic schedule that would set the tone for his engagement in college. Graduating co-valedictorian in 2003 from Huntingdon Area High School as a four time varsity letter winner, a participant in an accelerated honors program, leader as Class and National Honor Society President, and participant of the Governor School for Global Entrepreneurship; the scene was ripe for the taking as he entered Juniata College as a Leadership Scholar intent on honoring this commitment to excellence. Additionally, Patitsas also spent time serving in his church and making pilgrimages to monasteries and other Orthodox Christian communities throughout the world. Time was spent traveling to the countries of Greece, Turkey, Canada, and the Long Island, Bahamas wherein Demetri was introduced to a life of immersion, experiential learning, and diversity.

Originally enrolled as a premed student, Demetri made the transition to entrepreneurship after having been introduced to the Juniata College Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, a program that offered funding and support to start a business while an undergraduate. A business plan, presentation, and $5,000 grant later, Patitsas sought out the perfect fit of a business that would permit him to commit full time in the summer months, but allow him to be an academic during the winter: an ice cream truck business was the perfect fit. Since its inaugural route in the spring of 2005, Patitsas has used this experience as a launch pad to a tradition of entrepreneurial activity and leadership. Resurrecting this early 20th century tradition, Patitsas merged the theory with the practical by successfully running and developing a business that now has grown to a fleet of three trucks, six pushcarts and services over a dozen communities.

Meanwhile, from these experiences, Demetri pursued other opportunities for growth including an abroad experience in the fall of 2005 to Barcelona, Spain where he quickly learned Spanish and Salsa dancing. Applying the principles of inclusion, leadership, and service; Patitsas merged his interests with his gifts and started teaching Salsa lessons during the evenings after his ice cream routes during the day. Additionally, Patitsas dabbled into the non-profit sector by co-founding St. Paul's Fellowship of Labor, a nonprofit that provides service work for Orthodox Christian monasteries and convents throughout North America. The organization boasts 7 annual retreats that take participants to four different nations around the world.

Sharing his experiences, the young entrepreneur tours local schools, colleges, and national conferences (NCIIA, CEO) and presents on a number of topics including Student Entrepreneurship, business startup, and yes, even dating.

A graduate of Juniata College; former Student Government President, campus leader, mentor (See Resume), and the first student with a POE/major in Entrepreneurship, Patitsas was recruited in the fall of 2007 by Atlas Maritime, an Athens, Greece startup shipping company. He recently has accepted a position in Guatemala for the winter of 2009 to serve at El Colegio Miguel Angel Asturias voluntarily as the "Social Enterprise Generator."