Kuk Khuan Head of the Representative Office of Gigabyte Technology in Russia Date of Birth: 27.10.1971 Country: Taiwan

1. Early Life and Military Service
2. Logistics and Maritime Experience
3. Academic Pursuits and First Visit to Russia
4. Joining Gigabyte Technology and International Sales
5. Return to Russia and Founding of the Gigabyte Russia Office
6. Social Responsibility and the "Happy Child" Project

Early Life and Military Service

In the quaint town nestled in central Taiwan, Cook Juan began his journey on October 27, 1971. The provincial life ignited his wanderlust. In 1994, he enlisted in the Military Police, serving for two honorable years.

Logistics and Maritime Experience

Seeking professional experience, Cook Juan ventured into the shipping industry in 1996. Over two years, he delved into the intricacies of logistics, setting the foundation for his future career.

Academic Pursuits and First Visit to Russia

In 1998, Mr. Juan enrolled at the Institute of International Trade. His academic pursuit embraced international trade regulations and management principles. Integral to the curriculum was a ten-month Russian language course. Thus, in September 1999, Cook Juan first set foot on Russian soil. Spending ten months in the country, he yearned to return.

Joining Gigabyte Technology and International Sales

On October 11, 2000, Cook Juan joined Gigabyte Technology, a renowned manufacturer of motherboards and peripherals in the IT industry. His fluency in Russian proved pivotal when the company decided to establish an office in the country.

Return to Russia and Founding of the Gigabyte Russia Office

By the end of November 2002, Cook Juan was back in Moscow, embarking on a year of extensive travel. In April 2003, he returned accompanied by three female colleagues, one of whom was his wife. The summer and autumn of 2003 saw the hiring of three male Russian employees.

The Gigabyte Russia office was officially launched on April 22, 2003, in Moscow. Its mission was to provide localized services in sales, marketing, service support, and product localization.

Social Responsibility and the "Happy Child" Project

To commemorate St. Petersburg's 300th anniversary in 2003, Gigabyte introduced a special edition motherboard. Additionally, the company organized six "Build and Win a Computer" competitions in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Later that year, Gigabyte initiated the "Happy Child" project, a localized initiative aimed at supporting orphaned children in Russia. A dedicated charity fund was established, and two unique motherboard models were designed. With each motherboard sold, $0.5 was donated to the fund. In collaboration with the International Women's Club (IWC) and United Way Moscow (UWM), Gigabyte raised $11,800 over four months, which was equally distributed between the two organizations. This marked the beginning of Gigabyte Technology's commitment to the welfare of Russian children.