Demosthenes Serafimedes once said “You don’t live life out of fear, you leave fear out of life.” It’s a motto that those who knew him understood well. Whether it was a social or business gathering the electrical engineer filled it with his larger than life persona and his passion for everything he did, to do it to the max.
Thyratron SA today stands on the world stage with export markets in some of the world’s largest developing nations. It’s no accident. From its very conception the company benefited from the drive, passion, enthusiasm and uncompromising focus of its founders.
As Demosthenes Serafimedes withdrew from the day-to-day operations of the company and the pressures that come with working in an environment that’s in tune with international markets he could have enjoyed retirement, scaling back his activities and choosing to take things easy. That’s not who he was.
The vacuum created in his schedule by his stepping away from Thyratron’s daily work life was filled with his passion for flying and his desire to engage in various forums of Greece’s business world. It was this passion that would prove the reason for his life to be cut short.
In remembering him we honor his focus on excellence and his unwillingness to compromise on quality. These are attributes that have become part of the company’s DNA and are the lasting legacy of its founders. Demosthenes loved the skies because he felt the act of flying brought together all the elements of precision, attention to detail and quality control that he prized.
Our best tribute to him, collectively, is the focus we bring to bear on the things he felt were important in business as well as in life. His passing will leave a gap in our lives. His life however served to create a company that bloomed and a culture that is determined to hold itself accountable to the highest standards.
Demosthenes Serafimedes led by example. We can do no less.