Kyong Hollen honored as business leader of the year
March 23, 2011
907-474-7042
3/23/11
The University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Management will honor Kyong Hollen as its 35th business leader of the year during a banquet March 25.
Recipients are selected for their leadership, business excellence, educational support and community service.
“I look at the accomplishments of the past winners and I am honored to now be standing among them,” Hollen said. “My first job was picking vegetables in the fields and now, over 20 years later, I’m picking up accolades from some of the most respected business people and scholars in Alaska.”
Hollen came to the United States in 1986, speaking almost no English and knowing very little about Western culture. She worked as many as four jobs at a time to make ends meet. Hollen eventually started her own business, K-Janitorial. When she wasn’t running her business, she worked part time at Santina’s Flowers and Gifts. In 1999, she purchased the business from the retiring owner.
Hollen is a Legacy Donor and has established two scholarships for business students. She also is involved in organizations such as the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Girl Scouts of America, Fairbanks Rotary Club, and the Red Cross of America Council. Hollen’s previous awards include the Girl Scouts’ Women of Distinction and the Bill Stroecker Business of the Year award.
Gov. Sean Parnell, retired Fairbanks police chief Dan Hoffman and Attorney General John Burns will speak at the banquet.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Marmian Grimes, UAF public information officer, at 907-474-7902 or via e-mail at marmian.grimes@alaska.edu.
NOTE TO EDITORS: A photo of Hollen is available online at www.uafnews.com.
ON THE WEB: www.uaf.edu/som
TT/3-23-11/179-11