In 1931, John A. Payiavlas was born to Greek immigrants, Anthony and Paraskevi, in Warren, Ohio. In 1951, Payiavlas was drafted into the United States Army and promptly left for basic training in Fort Riley, Kansas. In 1952, he was deployed to join the UN forces supporting South Korea as part of Fox Company, 7th Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division and later transferred to the Greek Expeditionary Force Battalion. He was one of four Greek-Americans to serve in this Battalion and was awarded the Commander’s Silver Cross of Valour, the highest military decoration of the Greek state. Payiavlas completed his service in 1953 and was honorably discharged as Sergeant First Class.

In 1956, he married Marisa Tsagaris and in 1960, he bought Automatic Vendors and worked diligently to grow the business while he and Marisa raised their two children, Patrice and Anthony. Renamed AVI Foodsystems in 1987, the company has grown to serve customers in more than 6,500 locations in 44 states.
Payiavlas is an active member and donor of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Warren. He is also a board trustee and Chairman Emeritus of Leadership 100. He has served as a council member of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council Executive Committee and an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. John and Marisa have
6 grandchildren.