Dan Gavora honored as UAF Business Leader of the Year
February 20, 2012
907-474-7042
2/20/12
The University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Management will honor Dan Gavora as the 36th business leader of the year during a dinner and award ceremony March 30 at the Westmark Hotel Gold Room.
Gavora moved to Alaska when he was less than a year old. He grew up in Fairbanks and learned the value of local involvement and hard work at an early age. His father, Paul Gavora, was the very first UAF business leader of the year recipient in 1977.
“To be included alongside so many past Fairbanks business leaders, whom I have known and admired, is quite humbling,” Dan Gavora said. “It is especially meaningful for me to follow in my father’s footsteps for an award that he pioneered 36 years ago.”
Gavora began his career in the retail grocery business, where he worked his way up to various management positions. After leaving the grocery business, he spent nearly 10 years as the president/CEO of Fairbanks Sewer & Water. Gavora is currently the president/CEO of Doyon Utilities, LLC, which owns and operates the utilities at all three Alaska Army posts. He also serves as board chairman for Denali State Bank and is a member of the Alaskan Command’s Civilian Advisory Board.
Gavora’s community work includes service as chairman of the United Way Campaign, which established a new fundraising record under his leadership. He is a staunch supporter of the Golden Days celebration and his company participates in the American Heart Walk. He has received the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce’s George Nerbhas Award for outstanding community involvement.
Gavora also supports UAF scholarship programs. In 1999, he was on the corporate board of directors that made the first $10,000 contribution to the chancellor’s matching grant program. Gavora employs UAF graduates and has several employees enrolled at UAF.
For more information or to buy tickets, call 907-474-7042 or visit www.uaf.edu/som.
NOTE TO EDITORS: A photo of Gavora is available online at www.uafnews.com.
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