Paul S. Hsu is an engineer, entrepreneur, business leader, and public servant who came to the United States as a first-generation immigrant in 1976. After serving as Sr. Engineer for Harris Corporation, a DoD aviation company, Paul founded Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) in 1984, serving the DoD in avionics and battlefield electronics. Three successful companies followed MTI: Total Parts Plus, Inc., an internet-based data content company providing electronic component obsolescence management and engineering services, ActiGraph, LLC, an electronic medical device manufacturer of a product that collects biometric data, and Crestview Technology Air Park, a development providing infrastructure for aerospace and technology driven solutions in Northwest Florida.

Throughout his career, Paul has demonstrated his commitment to public service. President Bush appointed him as a member of the President’s Export Council (PEC) and Associate Administrator of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Government Contracting and Business Development. In 2019, President Trump announced Paul’s appointment to serve as Chairman of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Paul’s philanthropic support of students and educational programs include the establishment of Dr. Paul & Maggie Hsu Endowed Engineering Scholarship and Hsu Educational Foundation Inc. supporting K-20 educational S.T.E.M and career tech programing, college scholarships and development of innovative business to student initiatives to prepare tomorrow’s workforce with high demand skills.

Chiling Tong has extensive domestic and international experience in economic and business development, focusing on enhancing the growth of minority-owned small businesses. Her career spans the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. She is the President and CEO of the National Asian & Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (National ACE), representing the interests of 2.91 million Asian American & Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and all small business owners and entrepreneurs nationwide. National ACE collaborates with over 130 affiliate AAPI chambers and partner organizations nationwide to advocate for AAPI and all small businesses, enhance capacity building, and foster the next generation of entrepreneurs and executives.

Tong is also the Founding President of the International Leadership Foundation (ILF), a nonprofit organization that has promoted civic awareness and public service among AAPI college students since 2000. She served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the International Trade Administration and later as Chief of Staff for the Minority Business Development Agency in the U.S. Department of Commerce. She was appointed to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders by both President Donald Trump and President George W. Bush. Additionally, she was named to the commission to study the potential creation of a National Museum of Asian-Pacific American History and Culture.

Tong was an Ash Center Research Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School. Previously, she worked to promote California’s economic development, trade, and employment services. She served as Director of California’s Office of Trade and Investment in Taipei, Taiwan, and Assistant Secretary for International Trade in the California Trade and Commerce Agency. She also worked for the California State Senate Minority Leader’s Office as the Chief Asian American Affairs Advisor.

Tong was awarded a Coro Public Affairs Fellowship and was the Los Angeles County Community Action Board Chairperson. She was also an anchor and reporter for China TV, a Los Angeles-based international television station. In 2017, she was named Advocate of the Year by the Minority Business Development Agency and recognized at the White House for her significant contributions to small business development. Her husband, Joel Szabat, is the Vice Chair of the Amtrak Board of Directors.

Joel Szabat is the founder of the International Leadership Foundation (ILF). Joel founded ILF in California and led it to Washington, D.C. in 2001. The son of an immigrant, Joel believes that AAPIs and other immigrants are key to America’s future. In developing leadership potential and civic appreciation in the next generation of Asian Pacific Americans we are helping all Americans.

Joel is on the Amtrak Board of Directors. He has served in high-level federal government positions for five Presidents, including as the Acting Under Secretary of Transportation – the Department’s third-highest position — for Secretary Elaine L. Chao. He led the Department’s Coronavirus response efforts. In the Obama administration, Joel initially oversaw the $48 billion provided to build 15,000 transportation projects as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Joel directed efforts to rebuild ports, airports and railroads in Iraq under President George W. Bush. Joel has also been Chief of Staff of the Small Business Administration, and the Executive Director of the Maritime Administration.

​Joel graduated from Georgetown University and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. Joel served as a Captain in the United States Army during the Cold War, commanding tank units patrolling the East-West German border. After receiving his MBA, Joel was a management consultant in the private sector specializing in transportation issues. Joel is married to Chinese-American activist Chiling Tong, the National ACE President & Chief Executive Officer and ILF Founding President.