Tony Kaai recognized for 25 years of service to Denison, DDA

By Michael Hutchins

Herald Democrat

A Denison business leader was recognized for a quarter century of service to the community Friday. Representatives for the Denison Development Alliance surprised DDA President Tony Kaai Friday morning for his 25th anniversary of working with the organizations and Denison Development Foundation.

The recognition and accompanying award were given during the opening of the 23rd annual DDA Economic Summit, an annual conference on the past and future development within the greater Denison community. The event is organized each year by the DDA and was an early focus by Kaai during his time with Denison.

“Mark and I would like to honor our fearless economic development leader, Mr. Tony Kaai,” Denison Development Foundation representative Merry Munson said.” We couldn’t move forward with the summit without honoring him. So, let’s take a walk down memory lane, shall we?”

Kaai joined the DDA in 2000 when the organization and its sister foundation, DDF, were known as the Denison Business and Industrial Corporation and Denison Industrial Foundation, respectively. Among his early tasks was renaming the organizations to their current names.

His other early accomplishments include the recruitment of Kwikset, Ruiz Foods and Florestone, LLC. However, another major project and focus area wouldn’t see fruition for another 20 years: the redevelopment of the former Johns Manville production site.

In the following years, Kaai worked to expand the business network of Denison while helping other properties within the city flourish. Kaai assisted DDF in acquiring the Eisenhower Business Center. The foundation has used the property as a steady revenue stream that generates funds for additional grants and other programming.

Kaai also assisted in the recruitment of HeyDay Entertainment, which has served as an entertainment anchor for the development and attracted other entertainment attractions, including Urban Air.

In recent years, Kaai completed one of the DDA’s long-term goals by acquiring the former JM plant. The site has since gone through extensive cleanup efforts ahead of redevelopment.

For his part, Kaai said he was surprised by the recognition, but put most of the credit for DDA’s accomplishments to staff both past and present and city leadership.

“It is great to be recognized, but we wouldn’t accomplish anything without our leaders,” he said. “They give us the guidance and support we need to be successful.”