C-100 Chairman John S. Chen was honored by the Chinese American Voter Education Committee (CAVEC) for empowering the Chinese American community at CAVEC’s annual gala on February 12 in San Francisco. CAVEC focuses on registration of Chinese American voters, who historically are not well represented in the electorate. Guests showed CAVEC’s political clout, with Governor Jerry Brown, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, and San Francisco civic leader Nancy Bechtle among those present.
Nancy Bechtle, President of the San Francisco Symphony, shakes hands with Governor Jerry Brown; Jackson Tai in center.
Long-time CAVEC supporter and C-100 board member Jackson Tai presented the award: “CAVEC is all about empowering the Chinese American community. Tonight, we honor John Chen, who has done much to empower the Chinese American community, first as a role model, and second, in strengthening US China bilateral relationships.”
Jackson Tai and John S. Chen.
As a role model, Chen, Chairman, CEO and President of Sybase, not only has “been at the vanguard of successful Chinese American business leaders, building Sybase’s international franchise and most recently arranging for Sybase’s acquisition by the global powerhouse SAP” but is “among the first Chinese Americans to sit on Fortune 500 corporate boards, including the Walt Disney Company and Wells Fargo.” In the non-profit sector, Chen is a governor of the San Francisco Symphony and Caltech trustee.
Chen’s role as Chairman of the Committee of 100 exemplifies his contributions to strengthening U.S.-China relations, said Tai. Chen, “the consummate uniter, has actively sought to bring American political and business leaders together with Chinese government leaders in important bilateral exchanges in Beijing, Taipei, and in Washington D.C., New York and Los Angeles. He has raised the quality of discourse between the two countries.”
Tai added a personal touch with his closing compliment—“[Chen's] leadership skills are explained by his hobbies. He enjoys the strategic thinking required in the game of bridge and he is a true risk-taker when he engages in karaoke.”
C-100 members attending the gala were George Koo, Dennis Wu, Doreen Wu, Frank Wu, and Shirley Young.
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