"He does the hard things in life, and make the hard decisions... not because he want to; but because that's what has to be done."
There is no better expression than this to describe the character and values that best embody Spiro Paizes. I've heard him say these same words many times over the years and each time I'm reminded that this is a man who does not preach rhetoric - instead, he is a person that truly lives by his words and means what he says. When I was asked to write this short biography, that expression I realized, explains so much about Spiro.
Born in Johannesburg South Africa during the tumultuous and dark era of apartheid, Spiro was always on the right side of change, justice and freedom from the very beginning. The grandson of Greek immigrants who came to South Africa following World War II, he has experienced an amazing life of learning and embracing every culture, race and walk of faith while holding steadfast in the face of adversity.
At just four years old Spiro took an adventure with his mother and siblings to live in New York. It was the 60's and 70's that Spiro came of age here in the United States, becoming a lifelong citizen.
Life around the globe was vibrant but also plagued by devastating wars and divided by civil rights and injustices. Spiro was always adept at spotting a wrong and wanting to make it right. Never one to succumb to peer pressure or popular opinion he refused to fall into one camp or the other - instead he carved out his own beliefs and lifestyle, often drawing a little good from every new experience and person he met, then making it his own.
Which made it no surprise that Spiro chose to return and attend Johannesburg University, in South Africa upon graduating high school in New York, despite having become very much an American. Most teenagers would never consider going to school and living abroad, but Spiro invited the opportunity for such an experience. For the latter part of his teenage years and early part of his 20's Spiro flourished in his birth country developing into the ultra-driven, determined man he remains today...all while absorbing information and knowledge like a sponge.
During his college years Spiro learned to speak multiple languages including Afrikaans, Zulu, French terminology, Japanese, and other native dialects, enabling him to connect and communicate with other Africans of every color and creed. He worked throughout college learning business and management around the clock; at University by day, then restaurants at night overseeing a section of his family's highly successful restaurant chain and eatery businesses. The men and women who were employed by Spiro at different restaurants were more often than not, the poor and unfortunate victims of a Apartheid, South Africa's equivalent of the American age of segregation, although much worse.
Despite his upbringing and family connections and dealings with neighbor President Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu (South Africa's most notable citizens and Nobel Peace Prize winners); the people who worked with Spiro loved him, and he them. It was during this portion of his life that Spiro became a champion for justice and advocate against injustice, inequality and for fair and honest law enforcement.
In South Africa Spiro witnessed many atrocities and found himself doing as well as he could for the underprivileged and less fortunate, often stepping in many times at his own peril, defending fellow South Africans being bullied and hurt by whites. The decisions did not bode well within Spiro's own race, yet he never wavered or second guessed his decisions.
After living in a lawless and corrupt South Africa, Spiro came to appreciate the American way of life, in particular the simplistic yet beautifully complex document that is the United States Constitution. Spiro has always contemplated what a difference something like the US Constitution could have made in South Africa and all of the anguish and suffering it would have saved.
Asthmatic as a child, Spiro was always looking for some way to improve his health and stamina. Several famous karate experts frequented the restaurants Spiro's family owned and over time Spiro's interest in the art piqued. In the early 1980's Spiro began what would become a successful, lifelong commitment to and love for karate. Although he did not know it at the time, karate later became one of Spiro's biggest passions.
Spiro returned to the United States where he continued to master karate. He moved to Sarasota, Florida to be closer to his mom and daddy (as he called his stepfather, even to this day) and eventually operated a very large, three-concept restaurant chain in Tampa, yielding the highest sales and record profits in the restaurant’s then 17 year history. Spiro's experience with his family's restaurant chain, manufacturing company; and other business ventures that included a video game company; helped shape the relentless pursuit of success while helping others that Spiro stands strong behind even today.
In 1987, Spiro met his wife and love of his life, Maria, who enchanted Spiro then and continues to 38 years later.
Through his marriage and deep spiritual connection, Spiro reached many milestones and achievements he assures everyone would not have been possible otherwise. In 1991 Spiro attained Yudansha level in karate, marking his incredible level of skill and devotion.
For several years Spiro increased his karate skill set and presence, trained under world renowned Stan Schmidt and was a member of the SAJKA. Spiro became close friends with world class karate expert and trainer, Rick Hotton. Spiro began training others around the world alongside Hotton, spreading his love of the art from Europe to Canada, then his new home of Bradenton, Florida.
Throughout Spiro's life he has been closely connected to many people in law enforcement, and has been a proponent of fair policing. Spiro had the unique experience of accompanying South African police on calls, experiencing the enforcement side of the law. Back in America, Spiro has family in law enforcement and a business partner. Spiro lost a close friend, karate training partner and police officer, Sonny Kim, who died in the line of duty days after their last training session and family BBQ in Cincinnati, Ohio.
About 30 years ago Spiro merged into a prosperous career and became a multi-licensed contractor, building several successful businesses and corporation, that he continues to operate today.
From 2017-2024, Spiro spearheaded a rights movement, co-founding the Sarasota Civil Rights Coalition, to stop abuses by local building department officials and code enforcement officers. He also aided in the uncovering corruption in the neighboring county where officials were escorted out of the county building by Sheriff deputies. There whistleblower, a former police officer turned code enforcement officer had received death threats. Spiro got involved and confronted several code enforcement officers wearing bulletproof vests. The Sarasota county Building Official, Kathleen Croteau resigned 10 days after Spiro wrote a letter and demanded her resignation. Other forced resignations followed. It made the Sarasota Herald Tribune's newspaper front page 6 times. Sarasota County then revamped their procedures, issued a new SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) ensuring Fourth Amendment would be adhered to and similar violations would not occur. Spiro also took on the DBPR and won.
His efforts resulted in a complete overhaul in policy within county government, several resignations within the building departments, and multiple front page newspaper articles covering Fourth Amendment violations uncovered by Spiro's relentlessness. Against incredible odds, Spiro took on the local governments and won many court cases and lawsuits. More importantly, accountability and transparency.
Spiro has taken on many other pursuits, including producing and publishing karate training videos with over 1 million views on YouTube. Spiro has a sharp legal mind and embraces challenges in the area of law, whether to change policy or to correct othe injustices. Spiro and his wife are avid animal lovers and it's not uncommon to see their yard full of wildlife who come to eat the food left for them.
Now, after such a fulfilling and well traveled life, Spiro is undertaking one of his biggest challenges....bringing policy change and accountability to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and cleaning out corruption and dishonesty; all the result of an angry, unprofessional officer (deputy Desirae Krouse) and an unlawful traffic citation.
Spiro is an inspiration to every person who knows him, and there is no question he will be victorious in this latest endeavor.....not because he wants to, but because it's what has to be done, and Spiro has always been the man to do it. R. Denney.
