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, focused on enhancing the growth of minority-owned small businesses. Tong’s 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 2.65 million Asian American & Pacific Islanders (AAPI) small business owners and entrepreneurs. National ACE collaborates with over 120 affiliate AAPI chambers and partner organizations across the country to advocate for AAPI small business, to enhance capacity building and to foster the next generation of AAPI entrepreneurs and executives.

Tong is also the Founding President of the International Leadership Foundation (ILF), a nonprofit organization promoting civic awareness and public service for AAPI college students since 2000. The ILF has over twenty active chapters nationwide. She served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of International Trade Administration and was subsequently the Chief of Staff and Associate Director for Minority Business Development Agency in the U.S. Department of Commerce.  She was appointed as a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and was also a member of the National Advisory Council on Minority Business Enterprises at the U.S. Department of Commerce.  Currently, Tong is a member of the Treasury Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Director of the Congressional Awards for young leaders, Census Bureau National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations, and the Small Business Administration’s Council on Underserved Communities. She was also recently named commissioner to study to the potential creation of a National Museum of APA History and Culture. 

Tong was an Ash Center Research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. Previously, Tong worked to promote California’s economic development, trade and employment services. She was the Director of California’s Office of Trade and Investment in Taipei, Taiwan, and served as Assistant Secretary for International Trade in the California Trade and Commerce Agency.  Tong has 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 Chairperson of the Los Angeles County Community Action Board. Tong was also a television anchor and reporter for China TV, a Los Angeles-based international television station. In 2017, Chiling Tong was named Advocate of the Year by the Minority Business Development Agency due to her significant contribution to minority business development.

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 APAs 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.
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Joel has served in several high-level federal government positions for four 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.