Istanbul, May 13 (HNA) – Davut Ökütçü, President of the Koç Group Executives Association (Koç-Yönder), said that Koç-Yönder, which was established to support social, economic and cultural developments in Turkey, is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Speaking at the opening of the Koç-Yönder’s 30th Anniversary Founding Meeting, Ökütçü said, “We are proud to celebrate the 30th anniversary of our Koç-Yönder Association, which was established to support the social, economic, and cultural development of the country by sharing the knowledge and experience of distinguished individuals who have served as senior executives in the Koç Group for many years with new generations.”
The meeting, held at the Koç University Alumni Association, was attended by Koç Holding Honorary Chairman Rahmi M. Koç, Board Chairman Ömer M. Koç, Holding presidents, and Koç-Yönder members.
In his speech, Davut Ökütçü said, “Exactly 30 years ago, our esteemed elder of the Koç family, Mrs. Semahat Arsel, shared an idea she had developed after witnessing a practice during her visit to our business partner Siemens in Germany with our founder Vehbi Koç” and added:
“This proposal, in summary, is to contribute to the development of small and medium-sized companies, which are the backbone of the country’s economy, by offering the knowledge and experience gained by each senior executives who retired from Koç Group over 20-30 years. “The association, which was established in 1995 following the proposal of Mrs. Semahat Arsel, with the approval of our founder Mr. Vehbi Koç and the support of our Honorary President Mr. Rahmi M. Koç, includes members such as Erdoğan Karakoyunlu, Can Kıraç, Alaeddin Asna, Haluk Çatırlı, Nurettin Uğurlu, Tuncer Afşar, Erol Günen, Reha Tezcan, E. Abdullah Özerol, Mehmet Ondur, Orhan Altan, Sencer Kaygusuzer, Naci Dizdar, Sadi Göğdün, Muhterem Kolay, Orhan Başdoğan, Özcan Yuvalı, Basri Öztekin, Süreyya Somer, and Sezai Polat.”
The Koç-Yönder 30th Anniversary Meeting, which began with Sunay Akın’s presentation titled ‘Culture is the Foundation of the Republic of Turkey,’ saw President Davut Ökütçü receive the 30th anniversary plaque from Rahmi Koç. Former presidents Tunç Uluğ and founding member Erol Günen also received their plaques from Davut Ökütçü and Koç-Yönder Vice President Emre Görgün.
At the end of the gathering, Sunay Akın presented a copy of his book ‘Koyu Mavi Memleket Kumaşı’ (The Dark Blue Fabric of the Homeland), signed especially for all participants and their spouses.
