Richard L. Hollowell
Interim President and CEO, Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center

Richard (Dick) Hollowell was named Interim President and CEO effective November 21, 2011. Dick was hired as Director of Operations at the Cosmosphere in July 2011, with responsibilities for information and technology, front desk, retail outlets, collections, maintenance, the IMAX™ Dome Theater and the Space Works Restoration Division. A leadership and management career spanning three different industries brought Dick to the Cosmosphere well qualified to manage these extremely diverse roles. Building Space Works Restoration capabilities and business opportunities for increased growth is a key objective.

A native of South Hutchinson, Dick was previously president of the privately-held Kanox Corporation for 25 years until it was purchased by Airgas, Inc. in 2005. He continued in a consulting role at Kanox for two more years. Immediately prior to the Cosmosphere, Dick supervised a team of 600 employees as Vice President Operations at Denver Drywall while commuting between Denver and his home in Hutchinson, Kan.

Dick attended Hutchinson Junior College before graduating from Emporia State University in 1971. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science and Business. Dick’s military service includes the United States Naval Reserve in 1964, attending Corps School in 1965 and Reserve service until 1970.