Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Appoints Chiling Tong

By Scanews staff

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Commerce's, Minority Business Development Agency's (MBDA) National Director Ronald N. Langston, today (May 28, 2003) announced the appointment of Chiling Tong as the new Associate Director for Legislation, Education and Intergovernmental Affairs.  Tong will oversee MBDA's Congressional outreach, intergovernmental affairs, international trade, advocacy and outreach to federal, state and local governments.

"Ms. Tong's leadership role will play an integral part of the Agency's transformation from an administrative Agency to an entrepreneurial organization," said Langston.  "Her background in the international trade arena, combined with her public and private-sector experiences, is a testament to her ability to lead national efforts in developing the entrepreneurial, innovation and strategic advocacy that will empower and advance the interests of minority businesses," added Langston.

Prior to Tong's appointment with MBDA, she served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia and the Pacific, for the International Trade Administration, in the Department of Commerce, with responsibility for improving access by U.S. companies to Asia-Pacific markets; strengthening the international trade and investment position of the United States; establishing international economic policies concerning the Asia-Pacific region; and carrying out programs to promote international trade. Previously, Tong worked for the State of California to promote California's economic development, trade and employment services.  She was the Director of California's Office of Trade and Investment in Taipei, Taiwan, and served as Assistant Secretary for International Trade in the California Trade and Commerce Agency. She subsequently worked for the California State Senate Office of Public Affairs as the Chief Asian American Affairs Advisor and was appointed by President George W. Bush as a commissioner of the White House Initiative for Asian Pacific Islander Americans.

Tong received her MBA from California State University at Long Beach and a BA from the Chinese Cultural University in Taiwan.

MBDA's programs assist minority-owned businesses to increase their access to capital, to identify new market opportunities, and to improve their business operations.  Assistance is provided through a nationwide network of Minority and Native American Business Development Resources, its public and private-sector partners, and its interactive Minority Business Internet Portal - www.mbda.gov. Individuals eligible for MBDA assistance include American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander and Hasidic Jew.