 
Thomas Cy Wong, Managing Director of Cy W Investment Group, LLC
Scanews
Special Report
Thomas Cy Wong, Managing Director of Cy W Investment Group, LLC has recently been appointed by Governor Bob Holden to the Hawthorn Foundation Board. Mr. Wong is not only president of his own acquisition and management group, as well as a business leader in the Asian Community, but also serves as an executive officer and consultant to several successful St. Louis businesses with import/export concerns. 
Missouri Governor Bob Holden (UPI Photo/Bill Greenblatt)
Educated in St. Louis, he received both his BA in Finance and Master in Accounting from St. Louis University prior to serving several pillars in the St. Louis business community, most notably Maritz and Emerson Electric.
Mr. Wong's advocacy of St. Louis business is even more apparent when you look closer at an integral business community within the St. Louis landscape - the Asian American business community. Mr. Wong served as president of this local branch of a national, cultural business fraternity. Mr. Wong seeks to support other Asian businesses through networking, cooperative skill sharing and marketing to increase the awareness, visibility and credibility of minority business interests.
More importantly, Mr. Wong places his emphasis back into the community with projects like The Village Academy, which its purpose is to develop a $4 million building for early childhood development. He also has developed other challenging business plans that he bought to fruition. "One of the most memorable and challenging projects that I have encountered was the mini Hollywood that was bought to his attention from a Beijing production company into St. Louis called The Treatment", says Thomas. "I believe this: Everyone has a Dream and that my responsibility is to Bridge that Dream to a reality, but more importantly how I can assist others to maintain that Dream." Mr. Wong is a firm believer of entrepreneurship. He believes that everyone has that one chance in life to develop a dream that is instill in all of us.
"I want to assist the Asian community with opportunities to do business in the State of Missouri as well as opportunities to expand its' business within our own state and abroad, specifically in the Pacific Rim."
Mr. Wong sees his appointment to the Hawthorn Foundation board as an extension of duties and challenges he currently faces. He looks forward to increasing the profile of all Missourians and the wealth of economic development assets we have to offer - particularly to our ever - important trade partners in the East.
The Hawthorne Foundation plays a unique role in Missouri's economic development efforts. With assistance from the Hawthorn Foundation, business executives learn first hand about Missouri, and often make the decision to locate or expand a business in the state. Selling investment in Missouri is just one of many economic development tools that the Hawthorn Foundation feels is important. The Hawthorn Foundation has developed a strategy that allows it to impact several aspects of economic development in the state.
Since 1982, The Hawthorn Foundation has assisted every Missouri Governor, the Department of Economic Development and other local industry groups in enhancing the business climate of Missouri. Foundation monies, raised from the private sector, have historically been used for marketing projects in the United States and the world. Hawthorn enables the State of Missouri to present itself in a dynamic and sophisticated manner in its marketing and public relations activities. Without the Hawthorn Foundation high-ranking state officials would not be positioned to entertain and welcome key dignitaries and special guest in a first class manner. We are proud to have participated in the following noteworthy projects:
* The creation of a long term Strategic Plan for Economic Development in the State of Missouri
* Editorial board meetings with the national financial press including: The Wall Street Journal, Business Week and Time Magazine.
* Special promotions at industry trade shows and economic impact trips to 10 North American cities.
* The opening of Missouri trade offices in Mexico, Japan, Germany and Korea
* Quarterly Business Leader's Luncheons held in different geographic regions of the state.
* Statewide small business promotional tours with three Missouri Governors
* Staging of special events to welcome the Emperor of Japan to Missouri
* Co-sponsorship of the Heartland Basic Economic Development Course for new economic developers throughout Missouri.
* Through the direct involvement of the Hawthorn Foundation, the Missouri Economy has been over $1 billion in direct economic activity.
* Publishing of a comprehensive Missouri Directory of Exporters.
* Long time support for the Missouri Quality Awards Program and the kickoff of quality initiatives for the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
* Coordination of visits by trade representatives from 17 international locations.
* Involvement in programs for women, minority and home-based business operators.
* Establishment of the Missouri Milestone award for new businesses and existing business expansion.
* Facilitation of international trade missions to four continents, and he signing of sister state agreement with Hebei Province, China.
* Cooperation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the Division of Tourism and the Offices of the Lieutenant Governor and State Treasurer on unique development projects.
Governor Bob Holden, Mr. Phil Tate, President of the Hawthorn Foundation and Mr. Thomas Cy Wong wants to have a direct impact on the economic growth of Missouri. We are active in Missouri's business retention efforts and have been successful in retaining some of Missouri's largest manufacturing and service companies in the state. Maintaining and enhancing employment opportunities for Missourians is just another example of how the Foundation contributes to the economic well being of the state.
|
