News release
As Armenian History Month comes to a close, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger honored three Armenian American leaders from the 5th District, recognizing their contributions to health care, innovation and community service, said a news release from Barger’s office.
“Armenian History Month is a time to both reflect and recognize,” Barger, whose district includes the Santa Clarita Valley, said in the release. “We honor the strength and resilience of the Armenian people, while celebrating leaders in our own communities whose work uplifts lives locally and across the globe. Dr. Andre Panossian, Vahe Kuzoyan and Ara Mahdessian embody the very best of service, innovation and compassion.”
Each April, Los Angeles County pays tribute to the rich history and enduring legacy of the Armenian people, the release said. This year also marks the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, during which 1.5 million Armenians lost their lives.
Barger recognized Panossian for his humanitarian and medical contributions. A graduate of UCLA and Tufts University School of Medicine, Panossian completed his plastic surgery residency at USC and pursued specialized pediatric training in Toronto. Over the course of his career, he has performed more than 4,000 life-changing surgeries for patients with complex conditions, including facial paralysis, cleft lip and palate, and severe burns, the release said.
Barger also recognized Kuzoyan and Mahdessian, co-founders of ServiceTitan, for their impact on the skilled trades industry and their commitment to giving back, the release said.
Headquartered in Glendale, ServiceTitan reflects the founders’ deep ties to the Armenian American experience, the release said. Both Kuzoyan and Mahdessian drew from their families’ immigrant journeys and firsthand exposure to the trades to build a software platform that helps contractors and small businesses thrive – a platform that is ranking eighth on the Forbes List of Best Private Cloud Companies, the release said.
“Today’s honorees represent excellence across different fields, but they share a common commitment to service and community,” Barger added. “Their achievements reflect the enduring contributions of the Armenian American community and inspire the next generation of leaders.”
