Last December at the historic Harvard Club in New York, the founder of Foremost Group, Dr. James S.C. Chao, his family, admirers, supporters and colleagues joined together to look back at 50 years of accomplishment by one of the world’s largest and most influential dry bulk shipping companies—Foremost Group.
On hand to join in the festivities were hundreds of corporate executives, government officials and dignitaries from countries around the world, such as China, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore and the U.S. Also at the event were the Chao family, including Dr Chao’s two daughters, Elaine and Angela.
Dr. Chao shared with his guests the humble beginnings of Foremost Group, how he arrived on the shores of America bereft of contacts, no money and little more than determination and perseverance to carry him through the sleepless nights and early years of struggle. Dr. Chao’s courage was reiterated by his oldest daughter The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, who shared with the celebrants the deep impact that her father and mother, Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao, had not only on the international shipping business but on their family of daughters—whose success in life stemmed from the moral foundation instilled in them from an early age.
Dr. Chao’s life story makes for great inspiration. He was the youngest ocean vessel captain in China, surpassed all peers in performance on national exams, and is the recipient of many awards and honors, including “Outstanding American,” conferred by the US Department of Homeland Security, the “Distinguished American Award,” and an induction into the International Maritime Hall of Fame at the United Nations.
