On a spring day in 1919, Galveston, Texas welcomed the baby boy who would grow up to make energy history. George Mitchell’s story is one that starts with a humble beginning. It’s also a story that epitomizes perseverance.
You might say that perseverance runs in Mitchell’s bloodline. Before emigrating from Greece to the US in 1901, his hardworking father Savvas Paraskevopoulos tended goats. When he arrived at Ellis Island at the ripe young age of 20, Paraskevopoulos worked for the railroads and moved west over time. It was here that he faced his first challenge: When his boss got tired of writing his long name on his paychecks, he threatened to fire him. Paraskevopoulos persevered and turned the tables by taking his boss’ last name – Mitchell – so he could keep his job. When the newly-named Mike Mitchell saw a picture of a gorgeous young woman in a local Greek newspaper, he made the trek from Galveston to Florida to ask for her hand in marriage. One problem: She was engaged. But once again Mike persevered, convincing her to leave her fiancé and marry him instead.
