The Beta-Nu Chapter of
KAPPA SIGMA
The University of Kentucky
Paul “Bo” Bollinger Jr. is a native of Louisville and began at the University of Kentucky in the Fall of 1974. He was attracted to the Beta-Nu Chapter of Kappa Sigma because of the diversity of Brothers from around the State and region. Chris McCleary, Geneva, IL (BN HoF 2016), rushed Bo hard and “pre-selected” him to be his Little Brother, which was made enticing by Verga Haupt who said it would be a smart decision when the pitcher of beer arrived at the table at the Two Keys.
Bo was one of the founding members of the Beta-Nu Two-Man Football League, which he played most evenings on the gridiron in front of the KE house. Bo-Tech was regularly crowned the champion after hard fought battles against Roush U. and Shelby State. While majoring in business and airport management in the Bachelor of General Studies Degree program, Bo would spend time flying from Blue Grass Airport and visiting his future wife Elizabeth, a Kappa Sigma Sweetheart at Centre College.
Best known for his road trips in his yellow convertible Mustang, Bo was warmly welcomed by KE Chapters at Virginia Tech, Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Kansas. Bo gloriously served twice as Pledge Trainer. While on road trips with the pledges, Bo rarely left town without playing football and beating the host Brother’s pledges with Beta-Nu’s finest first.
Bo was elected to be President of UK’s Leadership Fraternity, Omicron Delta Chi, and he also served as the Vice President of Rush for UK’s Intra-Fraternity Council. He loved playing on Beta-Nu intramural teams such as flag-football, swimming, diving, basketball, and won the tennis doubles championship his senior year with Gary Ulmer as his invaluable partner. The ride around campus with Bo and Gary on top of the open convertible Mustang waving number one signs and hearing “we are the champions” playing is still a fond memory.
After graduation and the separation anxiety of leaving 460 Hilltop and his wonderful second father Babe Kimbrough, he was soon heading to Washington, DC. He worked in senior level positions at four aviation trade associations doing lobbying, safety and security issues with FAA, and planning large scale conferences and exhibitions for the industry. He, his wife, and their two children, Parker and Kate, moved to Philadelphia’s Mainline in 1986 and he began work for one of the largest privately owned companies as VP Business Development. In approximately six years he was responsible for the firm winning nearly $3B worth of runway and terminal projects in the 1990’s.
In 1989, Bo created the Greater Washington Aviation Open, the largest aviation charity event in Washington, DC. The golf and tennis tournament has raised over $2.2M dollars for Corporate Angel Network, the Veteran Airlift Command, and a scholarship for high school graduates wanting to earn a degree in aviation. The GWAO is now a 501(c)3 non-profit and was awarded the National Aeronautics Association “Public Benefit Award” in 2013.
Bo moved back to Alexandria, VA in 2004 and landed a position as a political appointee in President George W. Bush’s Administration in the Pentagon. There he worked for the US Air Force to develop alternative sources of fuel for aircrafts when oil was $140/bbl. For his work in the USAF, his department was awarded the President’s Award for Excellence. He later served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Energy & Partnerships, where he stood-up the Army’s entire energy strategy and program and managed the Army’s $13B public/private housing program during the financial crisis of 2008. He was awarded the Commander’s Award upon his departure at the end of the Administration.
Bo is currently the Executive Director of Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating, a small non-profit that brings the thrill and freedom of sailing to people with disabilities, wounded warriors, and disadvantaged youth. His love of boating and helping those less fortunate have made this a perfect job for him. He and his Kappa Sigma Sweetheart have been married for 37 years and live in Annapolis; one-mile from his Big Brother Chris. Their son Parker was a proud Kappa Sigma at George Washington University.