Junior Achievement of Northern Nevada will celebrate its 27th annual Business Leaders Hall of Fame Gala where it will honor incoming Laureates, Tom Dolan, owner of Dolan Automotive Group and Jim Rogers, CEO of Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA). This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Peppermill Resort Casino’s Tuscany Ballroom. The gala will provide funding for in-class programs offered to all northern Nevada students. Table sponsors and individual tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling 775-323-8084 or visiting renoja.org.
“Each year we look to honor remarkable business leaders who have committed to enhancing education for northern Nevada,” said Bill Heitman, executive director for Junior Achievement of Northern Nevada. “We are very excited to recognize the philanthropy of Tom Dolan and Jim Rogers, both who share our mission and are invested in the area’s youth.”
Tom Dolan moved to Reno from Redlands, Calif. in 1969 to attend the University of Nevada, Reno. During his time at UNR, Tom befriended and became roommates with Don Weir. Tom earned his degree in social psychology and later worked with Don Weir at Reno Dodge. Years later, Dolan became general manager at Reno Toyota and soon to follow he became the sole owner of Reno Toyota. To-date Dolan is also the owner of Lexus of Reno and Reno Mazda Kia. In 2011, Dolan Automotive Group was created as a means to encompass all of Dolan’s dealerships under the same brand, and the slogan “Get in and join the family.” With a history of leadership and community involvement that runs throughout the Dolan family, including Pamela Dolan’s heavy involvement within Washoe County’s school district.
“My family always instilled in me the value of earning a college education and I too share these values with my children,” said Tom Dolan, owner of Dolan Automotive Group. “It’s a great honor to be recognized for my involvement with education. Our youth dictate the future and I couldn’t be prouder to work in a community that supports learning.”
Jim Rogers took his first professional job with Kampgrounds of America (KOA) in 1971, where he worked as a management trainee before getting his MBA. After earning his MBA, Rogers went on to work for Harrah’s Entertainment as a senior financial analyst and vice president of marketing for northern Nevada and in 1994 was named senior vice president and general manager. Outside of his passion for leadership and business, Rogers found great joy in camping. In 2000, he returned to KOA as president. His interest in healthy lifestyles and teaching lifelong values became a strong hold for him during his years at KOA. As evidence to his commitment to these values, Rogers and his three grown sons all achieved the rank of Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts. Currently he actively works with the Boy Scouts of Reno and has received the Distinguished Eagle Award from the Nevada Area Council in 2002 and was awarded the prestigious Silver Antelope by the Western Region in 2010.
“To regain America’s economic and business momentum, we need young entrepreneurs and small business owners that understand business fundamentals,” said Jim Rogers, chairman and CEO of Kampgrounds of America, Inc. “Junior Achievement’s lessons ignite entrepreneurial spirits and result in the evolution of small business owners. Junior Achievement is indeed helping America’s tomorrow to be better. It is with this in mind that I am so proud and honored to be selected to join the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame.”
The 27th annual Business Leaders Hall of Fame Gala will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. at the Peppermill Resort Casino. To purchase a table or individual tickets for the Business Leaders Hall of Fame Gala and to learn more about Junior Achievement of Northern Nevada, visit www.renoja.org.
