July 01, 2009 // Franchising.com // Teaneck, N.J. – Kumon, the world's largest after-school education company, promotes Hideki Kusuzawa to president of Kumon North America. Mr. Kusuzawa is responsible for overseeing operations of 1,600 franchises in the United States, Canada and Mexico and more than 500 employees in 20 North American cities.
"It's an honor to lead one of the most successful and influential Kumon markets, and I am humbled by the enormity of this responsibility," says Mr. Kusuzawa, president of Kumon North America.
For the past six-and-a-half years, Mr. Kusuzawa served as the executive vice president and lead the management team that doubled student enrollment in North America. This summer, he will travel to each branch office meeting with staff, franchisees and Kumon families. Taking the helm during a recession is understandably challenging; however, Mr. Kusuzawa is focused on the company's core value: helping children maximize their abilities. He plans to focus on ensuring that the quality of instruction at Kumon Centers fosters each child's ability grow, develop and reach his or her full potential.
Mr. Kusuzawa joined Kumon 28 years ago and has worked in various operational roles including serving as director of several Kumon Centers in Japan and the United States. In 1988, he transferred from Tokyo, Japan to Houston, Texas, where he opened the third branch office in North America. He's led the Western and Eastern regional offices and Canadian operations. For the past sixteen years he's served in an executive role in North America and has also lived in Los Angeles, Vancouver and New Jersey.
Reflecting on his time operating a Kumon Center, Mr. Kusuzawa says, "This valuable period of my career allowed me to experience both the joys and challenges of being a Kumon Instructor, which gave me greater insight and empathy for the franchisee."
Mr. Kusuzawa is confident that families will continue to invest in their child's education, especially when experiencing the remedial and enrichment benefits of the Kumon program. "I challenge my fellow associates and Kumon Instructors to stretch our aspirations and performance. With knowledge, desire, and drive, we can make a difference in the lives of our children, education and society," says Mr. Kusuzawa.
Mr. Kusuzawa is married and has three grown children, all of whom benefited from Kumon study. After seven years, outgoing president, Kazu Shibata, is moving to Kumon's London office to be president of Kumon Europe & Africa.
About Kumon Math and Reading Centers
Kumon [Koo-mon] is an after-school math and reading program. The learning method uses a systematic individualized approach that helps children develop a solid command of math and reading skills. Through daily practice and mastery of materials, students increase confidence, improve concentration, and develop better study skills. Kumon has 26,000 Kumon Centers in 46 countries and more than four million students studying worldwide.
About the Survey
The survey was fielded April 3– 9, 2009 via the Ipsos North-American I-Say Panel, a household consumer panel that has been pre-staged and pre-screened. A total of 1,039 American parents with children between the ages of five and 15, inclusive, were interviewed online.
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