Andrew J. Houvouras, a native of Huntington, proudly served his country in the Navy during World War II. He earned a Letter of Commendation for shooting down a Japanese kamikaze plane.
A successful entrepreneur, he co-founded Huntington Plating Inc. and was involved in numerous local business ventures including Sterling Supply Co., C.I. Thornburg Co. and Steel of West Virginia.
Houvouras was a key figure in John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign in West Virginia. He also was a state recruiter for the Peace Corps, served on the national Board of Directors for the War on Poverty and was a leader in the Civil Rights Commission.
He worked diligently at St. Joseph Catholic Church, helped bring the Special Olympics Summer Games to Huntington, co-established the Houvouras Scholarship Fund at Marshall University and campaigned for the Coalition for the Homeless, helping secure thousands of dollars for the Vanity Fair building.
