Honorees

2016 Honorees

Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Jackson Walker

Norman Mineta, Former Secretary of Commerce

Business of the Year Award presented by LD&C

PowerFin Partners

Emerging Business of the Year Award presented by Albert Shen, MBDA

Patient's Premier Choice

Economic Engine Awards presented by Regions Bank, Seton, H-E-B

360Training.com

NXP

Powershift

Community Leadership Award presented by HDR

Senator Kirk Watson

Community Organization of the Year presented by Caring for Cambodia

EIXSYS Healthcare Systems 501c3

Friend of the Chamber presented by GAACC Executive Director, Marina Bhargava

Dan Hodges

Member of the Year presented by GAACC Chair, Paul Kim

Janak Zalawadia

Lifetime Achievement Award The 2016 Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Secretary Norman Mineta, who has paved the way for Asian Americans through his leadership in government positions within our country. Secretary Mineta was not only the first Asian American to become Mayor of an US city, but during President Bill Clinton’s administration, he was named Secretary of Commerce, making him the first Asian American to hold a Presidential Cabinet Post.	Leadership Award We are inspired by Senator Kirk Watson’s tireless efforts in changing the local healthcare landscape. His vision to make Austin a model healthy community will not only transform healthcare but also our economy. We look forward to the innovative opportunities being created for our community.	Friend of the Chamber Mr. Dan Hodges of Regions Bank is someone who has made the effort to understand the APA community. Mr. Hodges takes the time to listen and help fill the needs of all APA businesses and is a supporter of the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce.
Business of the Year PowerFin Partners develops and invests in solar projects. Based in Austin, PowerFin is focused on the development of solar markets in Texas. They emphasize project completion by approaching solar investing from a conventional energy perspective. To date, they have completed more solar projects than any other company based in Texas.	Emerging Business of the Year Patient’s Premier Choice provides pediatric home healthcare services for children with special medical needs. GAACC supported Linh from the start, with low cost office space, support in applying for her small business loan, connecting her to professional services such as insurance and legal, as well as with promoting her job openings for nurses.	Economic Engine NXP Semiconductors enables secure connections and infrastructure for a smarter world, advancing solutions that make lives easier, better and safer. NXP is driving innovation in the secure connected vehicle, end-to-end security & privacy, and smart connected solutions markets. Built on more than 60 years of combined experience and expertise, the company has 45,000 employees in more than 35 countries with 5000 employees right here in Central Texas.
Economic Engine As a technology investment and venture development group that's been around for 16 years, Powershift Group focuses on creating sustainable, forward-thinking technology businesses by working selectively with other entrepreneurs to fund and found companies.	Economic Engine 360training.com works with 1500 e-learning partners who together have trained more than 3 million users worldwide. They have been ranked as the 6th fastest growing tech company in the 2006 Deloitte and Touche Fast 50. They have over 200 employees and provide comprehensive e-learning technology and content to colleges, proprietary schools, associations and corporations.	Outstanding Community Organization EIXSYS Healthcare System is a 501c3 non-profit organization. They are committed to offering free clinics covering a wide range of primary and preventive health services to families and individuals of all ages and backgrounds in Central Texas.
Member of the Year Sung Je Lee was an active member in 2014, attending events, volunteering for the GAACC Fall Classic and Ovation. A native of South Korea who grew up in Jakarta, he attended the University of Texas earning a BBA in International Business before obtaining his JD, MBA, and LLM in International Comparative Studies from St. Mary’s University. He is now an associate attorney practicing business and real estate law with The Fowler Law Firm.