Anastasios Kyriakides

Anastasios "Takis" Kyriakides (born December 17, 1946) is a Greek-American businessman and inventor who is the founder and chief executive officer of NT Connect Holdings Inc. Kyriakides holds several patents and has founded a number of companies, including Lexicon Corporation, Mylex Corporation, Regency Cruises Line, netTALK CONNECT, and netTALK Maritime.

Early life and education
Anastasios Kyriakides was born in Athens, Greece, on December 17, 1946. He later immigrated to the United States, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Florida International University in 1975.

Career
In the 1970s, Kyriakides invented and patented the LK3000, the first handheld language translation machine, a consumer electronics device that translated words from English into 12 different languages. In 1978, he appeared as a guest on The Merv Griffin Show to discuss his invention.

In 1979, Kyriakides founded the Lexicon Corporation, a NASDAQ listed company ("LEX") to further develop and market the LK3000. Lexicon was ultimately acquired by Nixdorf Computer of (Germany).

In 1983, Kyriakides founded the Mylex Corporation to develop and produce the first handheld optical scanner and VGA card for personal computers, and served as the company's president and chairman. Mylex stock was traded on the NASDAQ under the stock symbol MYLX until it was acquired as a wholly owned subsidiary of IBM.

In 1984, Kyriakides and William Schanz founded Regency Cruises, which was listed at that time on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol SHIP. Kyriakides served as its chairman and secretary, while Schanz served as its president. The cruise line's fleet included, at various points, the Regent Jewel, Regent Rainbow, Regent Sea, Regent Spirit, Regent Star, and Regent Sun.

In January 1987, Kyriakides stepped down from his positions at Regency Cruises to found Sea Venture Cruises. He also established A.N.K. Marine Enterprises, a company that would acquire passenger ships, convert them into cruise ships, and charter them to cruise lines such as Sea Venture Cruises. A.N.K. acquired the Taygetos in June 1987, renaming it Sea Venture. It subsequently acquired the Prinses Paola in March 1988, renaming it Tropicana. Sea Venture Cruises established a subsidiary entitled Tropicana Cruises to operate daily cruises from Miami to Bimini, Bahamas. In November 1988, A.N.K. acquired the Wawel passenger ferry from Polferries, renaming it the Calypso.

In 1991, Kyriakides founded Seawind Cruise Line, and served as Chairman and CEO.

Kyriakides founded and presently serves as chief executive officer of NT Connect Holdings, Inc and netTALK Maritime, and is the co-inventor of the netTALK DUO, a consumer electronics VoIP device for making telephone calls over an internet connection.

Accolades
In 1987, Wolfson Campus at Miami Dade College in downtown Miami dedicated The Kyriakides Plaza to the family in honor of his philanthropic efforts to the college.

In 2008, Kyriakides was inducted into the Miami Dade College Hall Of Fame for Entrepreneurship.

In 2016, Miami Dade College Recognizes 2016 Endowed Teaching Chairs: Marisol L. Varela, Ed.D, M.S. - Anastasios and Maria Kyriakides Endowed Teaching Chair.

In 2020, Miami Dade College announced the Anastasios and Maria Kyriakides Endowed Teaching Chair and recognized this select group of faculty as exemplary professionals. In 2021, Miami Dade College published: Meet the Anastasios and Maria Kyriakides Endowed Teaching Chair: Kimberly Carter - The Miami Dade College (MDC) Endowed Teaching Chair is annual program recognizes outstanding faculty who continuously strive to accomplish MDC’s mission