Prominent Sacramento developer, Democratic donor named as ambassador to Hungary

Sacramento developer named ambassador to Hungary

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — President Barack Obama has named a prominent Democratic fundraiser from Sacramento as ambassador to the Republic of Hungary.

The White House on Friday announced that Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis (sa-KOP’-o-los koo-nah-LA-kiss) would serve in the post. She is a philanthropist and president of AKT Development Corp., one of California’s largest land development firms.

Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis also raised money for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign as the head of Greek-Americans for Clinton.

She and her father, Angelo Tsakopoulos, poured millions into the failed 2006 gubernatorial campaign of Democrat Phil Angelides.

In a statement announcing the appointment, the White House said she has worked tirelessly for public policy issues.