About Us

Serving Charleston Students Since 1999

About Gavalas Kolanko Foundation

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The Gavalas Kolanko Foundation strives to assist college students with physical disabilities with their secondary educational costs and to increase support and awareness of their needs. 

Since its inception, the Gavalas Kolanko Foundation has raised more than $1,400,000 and awarded 231 scholarships to Lowcountry students attending College of Charleston, Charleston Southern University, The Citadel, Trident Technical College, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), and Clemson University Restoration Institute.

Our Founders’ Story

The Gavalas Kolanko Foundation was established by Nicholas B. Gavalas and Dr. Ronald Kolanko. Mr. Gavalas and Dr. Kolanko came together to form the GKF in 1999 after becoming aware of the costly requirements for students with disabilities wishing to attend college. As influential members of the Charleston community, they assembled a dynamic board, supportive staff, and a strategic plan for success.

Nicholas B. Gavalas

Former General Agent of The South Carolina Agency for MassMutual Financial Group, and a 1972 graduate of The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. Nick began his career as an agent with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1972, and became General Agent of The South Carolina Agency in 1985. For 38 years, he led his organization through uncertainty, economic booms and busts, and product commercialization while growing revenues from $1 million to over $120 million.

Dr. Ronald Kolanko

Dr. Ronald Kolanko is owner and Board Chairman of Atlantic Occupational Health, Inc. D.B.A. AOH, “Industrial Medicine Specialist.” He is a graduate of Lincoln College, and is a national and international lecturer on health and insurance.

Board of Directors

  • Tommy Baker, Baker Motor Company
  • Caitlin Batten, Island PT, LLC
  • Joshua Broom, Mellow Mushroom
  • Cindy Bryant, Colleton County School District
  • Benny Firestone, Legacy Wealth Management
  • Catherine Gavalas, MassMutual
  • Chris Betros, General Electric
  • Bill Hall, Halls Chophouse
  • Alex Jackson, SPAWAR
  • John Kachmarsky, Law Office of John Kachmarsky
  • Erin Kienzle, WCIV Host Lowcountry Live
  • John Pauldine
  • Maria Rebula, Momentum Marketing
  • Dean Riegel, Carolina Center for Occupational Health
  • Peter Alan Smith, The College of Charleston
  • Shelby Smith, Somerset Logistics
  • Paul Steadman, The Steadman Agency
  • George Watt
  • Jerry Wigger, Wigger Law Firm

Support The GKF

There are several ways you can assist the GKF in its mission to provide college scholarships to students with physical disabilities.

Find Out How