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Parish Council-Past

St Hagop Armenian Church has been blessed with committed and faithful lay leaders who have acted as stewards over our church over the years. Meet the people who have served the Lord and our church gladly in the past until today in the profiles below.

Michael Shahnasarian

  • Parish Council (2013-2018, 2021-2024)

Mike has served two terms on parish council and as parish council chairman for two years. He has been a leader in the construction of our church hall, in overseeing hall rental and staffing, and has led the St. Hagop pledge stewardship initiative. He earned a doctorate in psychology and, along with a license to…

Hayley Hovhanessian

  • (2016-2020,2025)

Hayley completed two terms on the St. Hagop parish council where she took on the duties of recording secretary. Hayley is originally from Farmington, Connecticut.  She has been in Tampa and involved with St. Hagop for many years, serving on Parish Council and acting as ACYOA Juniors Chair.  Prior to living in Tampa, Hayley attended…

Mark Assad

  • (2023-2025)

Mark is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio and moved to Clearwater, Florida in 2019. After visiting St. Hagop he changed his plans from moving to southern California, instead feeling called to join the Armenian community at St. Hagop.  He works as a Realtor and agent serving the Pinellas County and Tampa Bay Area.  After the 2020…

Arsen Sahakyan

  • Parish Council (2021-2023)

Arsen is originally from Gyumri, Armenia.  Since 2015 he has lived in Tampa and has been a part of the St. Hagop community along with his wife Varduhi and two daughters Tatev & Ellen. Arsen has a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. Arsen works as a General Contractor for…

Rita Keshishian

  • Parish Council (2019-2024)

Rita was born in Istanbul, Turkey, and immigrated to the United States at the age of two.  Raised on Long Island, New York, Rita attended The Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs in Bayside, New York.  Rita is married to Ara Keshishian and has two grown children, and two granddaughters. Originally a snow bird to…

Teresa Haidarian

  • Parish Council (2020-2022)

Teresa has lived in the Tampa area since 1978 and has been an active member of St. Hagop Armenian Church for nearly twenty years. She is a long-time member of the women’s guild and currently serves as secretary. She has volunteered to maintain and supply our buildings for several years. She served on the church…

Stepan Serpekian

  • Parish Council 2009-2014, Diocesan Delegate

Stepan has been a part of St Hagop community since 1995 and served three terms on parish council from 2009-2014, with five of those years as chairman of the council. He was present at the introduction of the blue prints, ground breaking and consecration of the church. Stepan manages and leads the church choir. He…