In recognition of over 50 years of dedicated service to Albania and its people, Van Sotir Christo from Brookline, Massachusetts, was appointed Honorary Consul of Albania in Massachusetts by H.E. Ditmir Bushati, the Albanian Foreign Minister. His appointment was confirmed by the U.S. Department of State in January 2015.

Christo’s career began as President and Creative Director of Van Christo Advertising in Boston, a role he held from 1960 to 1994. His agency catered to high-tech and industrial clients across the USA, Canada, and the UK, earning prestigious accolades, including two CLIO Awards and two International Broadcasting Awards.

Following the collapse of communism in Albania in 1994, Christo saw a growing need to support Albanian immigrants who were arriving in Massachusetts and facing challenges such as housing, healthcare, and education. To meet this need, he founded the Frosina Information Network, a non-profit organization that provided critical assistance to hundreds of Albanian and other immigrants. In recognition of his efforts, Christo was appointed to the Massachusetts Governor’s Advisory Council on Refugees and Immigrants by Governors Weld, Cellucci, and Swift.

Christo’s commitment to Albania is shared by his wife, Jane Christo, who served as General Manager of NPR radio station WBUR in Boston. In 2008, she was awarded the Medal of Gratitude by Albanian President Alfred Moisiu for her work in training journalists from Albania and Kosovo. In 2012, Van Christo was honored with the Order of Mother Teresa Medal by Albanian President Bamir Topi for his efforts in aiding Albanian immigrants and raising awareness of the suffering of Kosovars under Serbian oppression.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Christo served in the Pacific during World War II as a Petty Officer aboard the U.S.S. Chaffee (DE230). In January 1945, the Chaffee was struck by a Japanese torpedo intended for the U.S.S. Pennsylvania (BB38), an action for which the crew was awarded the Philippine Liberation Medal with Bronze Star. Christo is also a founding member and Commander Emeritus of the Albanian American War Veterans of the United States (AAWV) in Massachusetts.