Savvas Savopoulos

He was a fifth-generation Washingtonian who was the son of a well-to-do president of a local metalworks company. They both attended Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, Md., in the 1980s and then the University of Maryland. The couple married in June of 1994 at a large Greek wedding in Potomac, after Savvas graduated from American University’s law school. Instead of practicing law, Savvas went into the family business at American Iron Works in Hyattsville, Md. American Iron Works has been involved in some of the region’s most high-profile construction projects. The company helped rebuild the Pentagon after Sept. 11, provided steel for the Nationals’ stadium and helped construct D.C. CityCenter. The Savopouloses gave generously to Greek-American charities, their children’s schools and the Starlight Children’s Foundation, a global charity that supports hospitalized children and their families.