A French award for a Greek bridge builder
It was a rewarding moment for general manager Nikos Harikiopoulos, general manager Gefyra SA, which built the Rio-Antirio bridge. At an official ceremony attended by a host of notables, he received the Chevalier de l’Ordre National de Merite from French Ambassador Bruno Delaye. The ambassador spoke of Harikiopoulos’s ability to build bridges both literally and figuratively between people of different backgrounds and disciplines. Pierre Copey, a leading executive at the French construction company Vinci, the chief stake holder in Gefyra, praised Harikiopoulos for possessing skills beyond those of engineers. The recipient dedicated the award to his wife, his family and colleagues. The bridge may have been a long time coming, but we make a mental note to thank the engineer when we cross it.
