FOUNDER, ZION ENTERPRISES
WHY: Businessman, longtime area philanthropist who created well-known Chinese fast-food chain, Pick Up Stix, which he built to 85 stores before selling it in 2001. “I came to America with $20 and they gave me $50 million!” he told the Business Journal. A second food and beverage business he started after Pick Up Stix with his wife, Ling, Aseptic Solutions, would end up selling for even more.
IN THE NEWS: With longtime local banker and tax attorney Doug Freeman, conceived April’s Celebration of Heroes gala, which recognized local and national scientists and others who made their marks during the pandemic.
NOTABLE: Serious musician as youth, now backs OC Music & Dance arts school, and Pacific Symphony. He and his wife donated $6.2M building that houses symphony’s HQ.
