SAFG was founded in 1983 by Berno Trost, then Consul of Sweden to Georgia; Dennis Carlson, Past Chairman of Nordic Lodge #708 of the Vasa Order of America; Phil Nethercut, then Honorary Consul of Finland to Georgia; and Margareta Martin, then President of the Atlanta Suomi Finland Society. They were soon thereafter joined by John Portman, then Consul of Denmark to Georgia and Maurice Horowitz, then Consul General of Iceland to the Southeast U.S.
They developed a newsletter - INSIGHTS - that was originally printed and mailed as a hard copy, but is evolving to a predominantly online publication. |
The Foundation has assisted in hosting heads of state and heads of government including the Presidents of Iceland and Finland, the Queen of Norway, the King and Queen of Sweden and a prince and two princesses from Sweden.
Board of Governors (BOG) and Executives
Minna LeVine, President Chamber of Eco Commerce/Advantages International Knut Baalerud, Chairman UPS Margareta Martin, Emeritus Chairwoman Retired Coca Cola Dennis Carlson, Emeritus Chairman Retired Emory Gitte Toben (VP Denmark) Retired, Delta Airlines Hans Ehrnrooth HAEH Pekka Ignatius Retired Andritz Rich Hammett WarnerMedia Peter Von Feilizen Markisol USA R. William Browning Sons of Norway NorskeVenner Lodge 3-678 Jake Heikkinen Kampstrup Metering Solutions Canada |
From the start the Foundation has been actively engaged in things Scandinavian by sponsoring concerts, art exhibits, book readings, plays and dance groups. Scholarships have been provided, and for multiple years to share our Christmas heritage the Foundation decorated a Scandinavian tree at the Festival of Trees and organized a six-language church service. Other Christmas related activities have also been arranged to be shared with the Scandinavians and Georgians.
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Our AddressMailing address
12850 Hwy 9 North, Suite #600-128, Alpharetta, GA 30004 |