HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Houston Asian Chamber of Commerce will present its first international honor during the 24th Annual Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards Dinner on Thursday, April 3, 2014. Mr. Jho Low, chief executive officer of Hong Kong investment firm Jynwel Capital and co-director of Jynwel Charitable Foundation Limited, will be recognized as International Entrepreneur of the Year for his approach to sustainable investing and disruptive philanthropy. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the dinner will be held at Ocean Palace, 11215 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77072.
“We are thrilled Mr. Low will be among our five very special honorees being recognized for their contributions to the success of Asian American business communities,” said Asian Chamber of Commerce President Linda Toyota. “This year, we are adding ‘international entrepreneur’ to our list of distinguished awards in order to honor those who are making an impact in Houston and around the world.”
“I am honored to be recognized by the Houston Asian Chamber of Commerce this year, among remarkable fellow entrepreneurial leaders in a city that serves as an important hub for international economic impact,” said Mr. Low. “The spirit of entrepreneurship and the pursuit of responsible business are key drivers of global economic health. Now more than ever, encouraging access to global markets and resources is what will create real change in the world, and I look forward to witnessing many more chamber members thriving at home and abroad.”
As CEO of international investment and advisory firm, Jynwel Capital, Mr. Low has led a number of mergers and acquisitions, restructurings and financings, cross-border transactions, leveraged buyouts and other investment projects of various sizes. Through Jynwel Capital, he is focused on building businesses within target sectors, including media and entertainment, consumer and retail, energy and resources, real estate and hospitality, precious metals, commodities and infrastructure. Mr. Low has served on the boards of a number of listed, private and sovereign wealth funded companies and is currently a member of the board of the Viceroy Hotel Group and alternate director of Lilestone Limited (Myla). Mr. Low is also the non-executive chairman Asia and a member of the advisory board of EMI Music Publishing.
Mr. Low is co-director of Jynwel Charitable Foundation Limited, a charitable institution committed to funding break-through programs that help scale and accelerate advancements in public health, environmental and wildlife conservation, and education—in every corner of the world—including Houston. Last year, Jynwel Charitable Foundation contributed $50 million to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The gift will fund the Moon Shots Program, an initiative to fight eight forms of cancer, to support the groundbreaking Oncology Expert Advisor (OEA) Powered by IBM Watson. OEA is an ambitious initiative that combines the computing power of IBM Watson with the medical expertise of MD Anderson to bring better cancer treatments to patients around the world. Through the Foundation, Mr. Low is a member of the Board of Visitors of MD Anderson Cancer Center and a member of the Advisory Board of National Geographic’s Pristine Seas project.
Also being honored during the chamber’s annual premier event will be: Samina Farid, Merrick Systems, Entrepreneur of the Year; David Yi, Saja Energy, Special Recognition/Emerging Entrepreneur; Richard Huebner, Houston Minority Supplier Development Council, Ambassador of the Year and H-E-B, Corporate Ambassador of the Year.
Awards dinner guests will have an opportunity to participate in the popular Executive Silent Auction. High-bidders will win coveted one-on-one time with the following Houston leaders: Dr. James P. Allison, chair, Department of Immunology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center; J. Murry Bowden, chairman and CEO, Hanover Company; Deborah Byers, managing partner, Ernst & Young LLP; Ric Campo, chairman and CEO, Camden Property Trust; Brian Ching, managing director; Houston Dash/Dynamo Legend; Winell Herron, group vice president, Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental Affairs, H-E-B; Paul W. Hobby, chairman/founding partner, Genesis Park; Andrew Huang, president, Houston Downtown Alliance; Bill Imada, chairman, IW Group; Mark W. Montgomery, Houston city president, BBVA Compass; Bo Porter, manager, Houston Astros; Robert C. Robbins, M.D., president and CEO, Texas Medical Center; and Jamey Rootes, president, Houston Texans.
Serving as co-chairs of this year’s event are Lynda Chin, MD, professor and chair, Department of Genomic Medicine, Scientific Director, Institute for Applied Cancer Science, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and William J. Toomey II, president, Houston & Central Texas Region BB&T. The honorary chairs are Harry Gee, Harry Gee & Associates, PLLC and Don Woo, Mission Constructors, Inc. Ernie Manouse of Houston Public Media will serve as emcee.
Parties interested in sponsorship or attending the awards dinner may contact the Houston Asian Chamber of Commerce President Linda Toyota at 713.782.7222 or ltoyota@asianchamber-hou.org. Proceeds will support the chamber’s small business development programs.
About the Asian Chamber of Commerce
The Asian Chamber was founded on June 20, 1990 as a Texas 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation, and has become known for its ability to broaden business connections and opportunities, promote economic development for the Houston Asian American business community, enhance leadership and business skills of its members, and serve as a resource to the community. Visit asianchamber-hou.org to learn more.
