John G. Rangos Sr. was born on July 27, 1929 in Steubenville, Ohio. He was raised in Northern West Virginia and Fredricksburg, Virgina, by his parents Gust and Anna (nee Svokas). He has three children: John G. Jr., Alexander William, and Jenica Anne. He is the former chairman of Chambers Development Co. and the former vice-chairman of the board for USA Waste Services, Inc. He is a former member of the Executive Committee for USA Waste Services, Inc.
He attended the Houston School of Business from 1947–49. He then went to U.S. Signal and Communications School at Ft. Gordon in Georgia. He served in the Armed Forces during the Korean Conflict from 1951-54 where he completed courses on Advanced Communications in the Far East. He was decorated with the National Defense Medal, United Nations Medal and the Korean Campaign Medal and received a Presidential Unit Citation from President Truman and President Sigmund Ree of S. Korea.
Mr. Rangos began his career with the Rockwell Manufacturing Company where he earned the distinction of being the youngest general agent in company history. During the 1960s, Mr. Rangos formed several companies and pioneered technological advances in the field of waste transportation and disposal, converting power plant boiler-ash into a useful component of cinder blocks and anti-skid material for highways. Mr. Rangos also has been instrumental in inventing techniques for recycling bituminous byproducts, disposing of sewage and sludge and has assisted in developing techniques for disposing liquid industrial wastes. He is responsible for developing a resource recovery system that converts waste-generated methane into energy.
Mr. Rangos heads the John G. Rangos Sr. Charitable Foundation, Founded the Medal of Honor Foundation, the fundraising arm for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, and Founded the American Hellenic Information Group. Through this charitable foundation, he has funded such things as the IMAX Theatre and many projects for UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The Medal of Honor Foundation is responsible for raising funds for the members of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, a group comprised of all living recipients of the Medal of Honor. The American Hellenic Information and Communications Group endeavors to foster knowledge of Hellenism in today’s youth.
In addition to these works, Mr. Rangos is the former chairman and honorary lifetime president for the International Orthodox Christian Charities, which he founded, and the Fundraising Chairman for UNICEF. He sits on the Board of Trustees for the Leukemia Society and on the Board of Directors for the Pittsburgh Opera, Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, the Allegheny Conference, the Carnegie, the Carnegie Science Center, University of Pittsburgh, Boy Scouts of America, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Presentation of Christ Diocese and the Clergy Liturgy Council.
Mr. Rangos has received a plethora of awards for his good works. These awards include: the 1990 Pittsburgh Man of the Year Award for Business and Labor from Vector’s Community Service, Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year in 1990 from the National Society of Fundraising Executives, the National Patriot’s Award in 1991 from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, the Ellis Island Award from the American Hellenic Education Progressive Association in 1991, the Environmental Recognition award from the Society for the Preservation of Greek Heritage in 1991, the Art Rooney Award from the Catholic Youth Association in 1992, B’Nai B’rith International Corporate Leadership award in 1992, the Aristotelian award from the American Hellenic Education Progressive Association in 1992, Man of the Year award from the Boy Scouts of America in 1992, Junior Achievement award from the Southwestern PA Corporation in 1992, the Academy of Achievement award from the America Hellenic Education Progressive Association in 1992, and was elected Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Order of St. Andrew the Apostle in 1988.
Mr. Rangos is a member of the International Platform Association. He belongs to The Duquesne Club, the Rivers Club, The Allegheny, University of Pittsburgh Golden Panthers, Churchill Valley Country Club, the Masons (32nd degree), and the Shriners (Syria).
