2009 Charles W. Poe - Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Dennis Kim
EVS, Inc.

Celebrating 30 years in business is a tremendous achievement. Leading a business that has seen ups and downs in its industry and is still a stable, sustainable and profitable business after three decades is a magnificent achievement. We honor Dr. K. Dennis Kim of EVS, Inc. as the 2009 Entrepreneur for his unfailing resiliency and adaptive entrepreneurial spirit.

Born in Kumsan, Korea, Dr. Kim graduated from Seoul University in 1965 with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering. In 1969, he immigrated to the United States and gained a Masters in Fluid Mechanics and a Doctorate in Civil Engineering at the University of Minnesota. He worked for the Nebraska Natural Resource Commission and then the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Then, after a brief stint at Control Data, Dr. Kim decided to join a small, young firm called Enviroscience in 1982. By saving his overtime pay, he bought into the business and became sole owner by 1984. Enviroscience expanded its professional expertise over the next twenty years and changed its name to EVS, Inc, in 2003. Dr. Kim has led his business through three decades with strategic moves that showcase his adaptive leadership skills.

2009 brought the opportunity to add three more talented engineers, bringing his staff to 25. This positions EVS well for the future and for Dr. Kim’s interest in working internationally and expanded into the renewable energy industry. He is a graduate of the MEDA Pacesetter Program, a past loan client and now, as a participant in the MEDA Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, Dr. Kim is Dennis Kim, EVS, Inc. developing his children as second generation leaders at EVS.

He has held numerous leadership roles in the Hopkins Rotary Club and he currently serves on the board of the Minnesota Chorale and Chamber Music Society of Minnesota.

In 2009, the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans considered Dr. Kim worthy of the 2009 Leadership Award for his “outstanding contribution in his field, showing vision and leadership.” We honor the long-standing resilience shown by a seasoned entrepreneur and strong community leader – Dr. K. Dennis Kim.