Stavros Benos was born in Kalamata on December 30, 1947 and he is a licensed topographical engineer.
He has served Greece’s public life as:
- Mayor of Kalamata (1979-1990)
- Member of Parliament (const. Messenia, 1990-2004, const. Athens B, 2004-2007) and
- Deputy Culture Minister in Andreas Papandreou last government
- Culture Minister, Minister for the Aegean region, Deputy Minister of Public Order in Kostas Simitis’ governments.
Major achievements during his public service are:
- The reconstruction of the city Kalamata after the devastating earthquakes of September 1986;this project was awarded both by the European Council of Spatial Planners (for the original and human-centered urban restoration of Kalamata) and by EuropaNostra (for the preservation and enhancement of the city’s monuments).
- The establishment and operation of the Citizen Service Centers (KEPs)
- The establishment and operation of DIAZOMA association