LOS ANGELES, California — Time and time again, we see and hear stories of how one person, through the power of sheer will, determination, and hard work, can not only change their own lives, but also inspire countless others. For John and Tamar Akhoian, this very same power of change has transformed their lives, and now, as they partner with the American University of Armenia (AUA) as AUA ChangeMakers, they are making a lasting impact on countless lives in Armenia.
John Akhoian is the co-founder and CEO of Rooter Hero Plumbing and Air. Born in Armenia, he moved to the United States as a young child in 1975. Coming from humble beginnings, John credits his work ethic to watching his parents persevere as he grew up. “We didn’t come from much. My dad and mom took off-jobs washing dishes and managing the apartment building we lived in,” he recalled. Following his father’s death when he was 17, he was further determined to work hard to help support his family, which led him into the plumbing trade.
John’s first stint in entrepreneurship was at the age of 19, when he started his own plumbing company. Working six days a week, his aim was to get in front of people, consistently making calls and knocking on doors to achieve his goal. Eventually, his clientele began to expand from residential communities to commercial businesses, and he soon saw his phone flooded with calls.
After a few years of running his own business, John branched out into investing in a franchise and, ultimately, opened Rooter Hero in 2011. Over the course of many years, he has invested back into his business and his employees, establishing multiple locations and growing to become the largest residential plumbing company in the state of California. Today, Rooter Hero has expanded to other states and added HVAC repairs to its service offerings.
Currently holding certificates in general construction, construction engineering, plumbing, and HVAC, John humbly says, “I am a high school dropout who made a commitment to lifelong education in the construction field.” He and his wife place the utmost importance on education, a value they have also instilled in their children.
Tamar (née Keshishian) Akhoian was born in Lebanon and emigrated to the United States in 1975 at the age of 3. Together with John, she has been heavily involved in the Armenian community in Los Angeles. Fondly remembering their first interaction, John says, “We first met at an Armenian party in Glendale at a friend’s house. I had seen her and was instantly attracted to the way she carried herself. I asked a friend to introduce us, but she was not interested.” Luckily, John was given a second chance to meet Tamar a few months later at an encounter with mutual friends. After agreeing to go on a first date, the pair hit it off, and their date blossomed into a romance that led to marriage. In 1996, John and Tamar married and started their family with the addition of two sons, Andrew and Christian.
Soon, their romantic compatibility also lent itself to professional synergy. Following their union, Tamar quit her job to help her husband with his business. John credits her help in these early stages as one of the reasons for the company’s success: “She answered phones, did the accounting, and helped take so much off my plate so that I could go work in the field helping our plumbers. To this day, she still does our accounting and so much more to help the business. We would not be able to get this far without her dedication to the business and our family.” Truly an impressive duo, the couple’s success has also allowed them to reach a point where they can give back to their community in a tremendous way.
In 2024, the Akhoians were introduced to AUA and decided to support the University and its students by joining the exclusive group of AUA ChangeMakers. John commented: “I heard this quote by a Harvard Business School professor a long time ago, and it inspired me to be more philanthropic: ‘People who say money can’t buy happiness have not given enough away.’ I believe part of the purpose of making money is to give a portion away supporting good causes and those in need. This conviction, as well as my belief in long-term education, is what inspired me to help by becoming an AUA ChangeMaker. I know that as individuals, we cannot meet all the needs of the world; however, we can make a difference in our motherland and for future generations to come.”
This past May, John and Tamar attended, as well as sponsored, A Night to Ignite Change: Honoring the Akian Family, which was hosted by fellow AUA ChangeMakers Vahe and Ruzan Kuzoyan. During the event, all ChangeMakers were called to the stage to set off a dazzling display of ignited sparklers that set the tone for the evening. In their new roles, the Akhoians look forward to doing even more by investing time, money, and resources into providing opportunities and access to quality education at AUA for so many bright, young students in Armenia. “We have made a lifelong commitment to philanthropy and to helping future generations excel. This means giving children and young adults the ability to succeed through mentorship and education,” the Akhoians said, adding, “We know that the future of our heritage depends on all of us rolling up our sleeves and getting to work, both with our time and resources.”
AUA is grateful for the support of John and Tamar Akhoian and all the AUA ChangeMakers. To learn more about the campaign, please visit https://changemakers.aua.am.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. AUA’s Office of Development stewards the University’s philanthropic efforts exclusively for educational purposes.