MBDA Business Center – Columbia, SC Contact: Teowonna Clifton

MBDA Business Center – Columbia, SC
Contact: Teowonna Clifton, Business Marketing Specialist
400 Percival Road
Columbia, SC 29206
Tel: (803) 743-1126
Fax: (803) 743-1160
Email: tclifton@columbiambdacenter.com
Website: ColumbiaMBDACenter.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local Firm Named to Fast 100 List by US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce
Columbia, SC (May 27, 2015) – US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC) recently named Chao
& Associates, Inc., a local engineering consulting firm, one of its Fast 100 Asian American companies. According to
Ernst & Young, who examined the applications, Chao and Associates has demonstrated resilience and performance
with excellence.
USPAACC’s Fast 100 together generated annual revenue of $2.7 billion, despite the economic challenges
worldwide. In a letter of congratulations, Susan Au Allen, president and CEO of USPAACC, said, “Fast 100
companies like Chao & Associates give us reason to celebrate impressive achievements in our often quiet
community. The pan Asian American community is proud of you and the country appreciates your contributions to
the economic vitality of American life.”
President and CEO of Chao and Associates, Jimmy Chao, PE says, “It is quite an honor to be recognized alongside
reputable companies that are making great strides in their respective fields and having a positive economic and
societal impact on the local and national communities.”
Chao and Associates was recently recognized as South Carolina MDBA’s 2014 Minority Business of the Year. At the
same time, Jimmy Chao was honored by the City of Columbia and Mayor Steve Benjamin who named December 11,
2014 “Minority Business Recognition Day, in Honor of Mr. Jimmy Chao, PE.”
Diane Sumpter, director of MBDA Business Center – Columbia, SC, says, “I am ecstatic that our client, Chao and
Associates, has been recognized by such an esteemed organization that is dedicated to the success of Asian
American businesses. Through Jimmy Chao’s leadership, the organization is proving to have a positive influence on,
not only Columbia and South Carolina, but the national minority business community, as well.
The Fast 100 achievement will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at the Excellence Awards Reception &
Gala Dinner in Bethesda, Maryland. The reception will be part of the 30th Anniversary & CelebrAsian Procurement
Conference, which takes place on June 4, 2015 at the Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center in
Bethesda, Maryland.
###
About the MBDA Business Center
The mission of the MBDA Business Center – Columbia, SC is to assist Minority Business Enterprises compete in the global
economy and to stimulate the national and local economy through job creation. To fulfill this mission, we assist MBEs with
access to contracts and capital, strategic business counseling, and becoming export-ready. Complete information about the
MBDA Business Center and its services can be found b visiting www.ColumbiaMBDACenter.com or by calling (803) 743-1154.