The Asian American Chamber of Commerce held its third Annual Awards Gala, Jewels of Asia, on Friday, April 5, at the Westin Tysons Corner. More than 200 guests gathered to recognize businesses (public & private sector, for-profit & non-profit) as well as business leaders of Asian and Pacific Islander descent who have made outstanding contributions to the Metropolitan Washington D.C. business community and economy. Past award winners, elected officials and a diverse mix of business leaders enjoyed a reception, followed by dinner and awards. Surae Chinn, award-winning news reporter from WUSA-TV 9 emceed the event.
Those recognized include:
Asian Business Excellence Award—Pragmatics, Inc.;
Small Business of the Year—APS Pest Services; Asian Business Leader of the Year—S. Tien Wong, Lore System, Inc.;
Outstanding Corporate Partner Award—Wells Fargo;
Non Profit of the Year—Becky’s Fund, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Fairfax Region; Volunteer of the Year—Le-Ha Anderson, Dominion, Andrew Bittan, The Social Tea House; Government Agency of the Year—Fairfax County Economic Development Authority; Emerging Business of the Year—The W Salon; and Next Generation Investment Award—Erie Insurance.
One unexpected highlight of the evening was the special recognition of Judge John Tran. On April 3, John Tran was unanimously elected by the Virginia General Assembly to be a Circuit Court Judge in Fairfax County Virginia. Judge Tran will be the first judge of Asian American heritage in Virginia’s history to sit as a judge in a Virginia court of record. The audience congratulated the new judge with a standing ovation.