LOS ANGELES, CA—Robert Sun, inventor of the 24® Game and creator of the First In Math® Online Program was presented with a 2008 Asian Entrepreneur of the Year Award at a May 23rd event hosted by Asian Enterprise Magazine. Sun, who serves as Chairman and CEO of Suntex International Inc., was handpicked by the Awards Committee for being a source of inspiration for the Asian Pacific American business community, and was recognized in the Engineering category.
Sun accepts his award from publisher of Asian Enterprise Magazine WiIly Borromeo, left, and then addresses the audience.
The 15th Annual Awards Program and banquet—themed "In Pursuit of Excellence"—was held at the historic Millenium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. According to Asian Enterprise Magazine, "It is our way of recognizing exemplary leaders who have stood behind the spirit of Asian Pacific American small business enterprise." Sponsors of this year's event included Walmart, Pepsico, Sodexho, The Coca Cola Company, IBM, Chrysler, Harrah's and Morgan Stanley.
"It is a great honor to be presented with this award," says Sun, who also received letters from Chairman of the Congressional Pacific Asian Caucus Mike Honda and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In his address to the audience, Sun said "Asian Americans are eager to hone our talents so we can make significant contributions to strengthen this great nation called America that we now call home."
Master of Ceremonies was Angela Baraquio-Grey, Miss America 2001. A former teacher, Baraquio-Grey founded a non-profit organization that promotes education and provides scholarships to students and teachers. Corporate representatives from Fortune 500 companies and political figures were present at the event, and Ralph Alvarez, President and COO, McDonald's Corporation, was the keynote speaker.
Other notable AEY recipients included: Overall winner Dr. Karen Eng; Governor Bobby Jindal, State of Louisiana - Public Servant Advocate; Indra Nooyi, Pepsico CEO - CEO Advocate; Jim Skinner McDonald's Corp. CEO - CEO Advocate and Esther Silver-Parker, Senior Vice President of Diversity Relations, Walmart - Special Advocate.