Kathryn Hach-Darrow
Kathryn “Kitty” Hach-Darrow was raised on a Missouri farm. She attended Iowa State University, majored in food science, and eventually met her husband-to-be, Clifford.
In 1948, with $8,000 from the sale of one of Clifford’s inventions, the Hach Chemical Company started its fledgling. Hach’s leadership and guidance allowed Hach Industries to earn $121,480,000 in 1998, earning her the nomination for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year. In 1999, Hach sold her company for $355 million in stock to the Washington D.C.-based Danaher Corp., the maker of Sears Craftsman tools.
Mrs. Hach-Darrow was the first woman to serve as director of the First National Bank of Loveland, CO, and she also served on the executive committee of Northwood University. Kathryn Hach-Darrow received the 1993 Woman of the Year Award, presented by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce.
Hach was a founding member of the committee of 200 Executive Women and was a member of the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of licensed women pilots. Mrs. Hach flew for over 40 years and first received her pilot license in 1954 in Aims, IA. Hach accumulated over 7000 hours of flying time and is a multi-engine instrument and jet rated.
Hach was always a leader and innovator in any industry in which she chose to become involved. Hach employed three full-time teachers to offer 42 unique courses on subjects ranging from basic writing skills to algebra. Hach Industries reported fewer production errors in the following weeks, and employee retention increased steadily. Hach had no doubt that the programs more than paid for themselves.
“This is the future,” said Hach. “If people are educated it makes running a business that much easier.”
In 1948, with $8,000 from the sale of one of Clifford’s inventions, the Hach Chemical Company started its fledgling. Hach’s leadership and guidance allowed Hach Industries to earn $121,480,000 in 1998, earning her the nomination for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year. In 1999, Hach sold her company for $355 million in stock to the Washington D.C.-based Danaher Corp., the maker of Sears Craftsman tools.
Mrs. Hach-Darrow was the first woman to serve as director of the First National Bank of Loveland, CO, and she also served on the executive committee of Northwood University. Kathryn Hach-Darrow received the 1993 Woman of the Year Award, presented by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce.
Hach was a founding member of the committee of 200 Executive Women and was a member of the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of licensed women pilots. Mrs. Hach flew for over 40 years and first received her pilot license in 1954 in Aims, IA. Hach accumulated over 7000 hours of flying time and is a multi-engine instrument and jet rated.
Hach was always a leader and innovator in any industry in which she chose to become involved. Hach employed three full-time teachers to offer 42 unique courses on subjects ranging from basic writing skills to algebra. Hach Industries reported fewer production errors in the following weeks, and employee retention increased steadily. Hach had no doubt that the programs more than paid for themselves.
“This is the future,” said Hach. “If people are educated it makes running a business that much easier.”