Rocket Nation Spotlight Part 8 – H. Michael Chung – Seoul South Korea
Post from March 13, 2019 “Rocket and Huron Nations – fun breakfast this morning in Trenton, MI with UToledo alum John Shepherd, President Thyssen Krupp Engineered Plastics and Eastern Michigan alum Michael Szczechowski, SVP at World Fuel Services. Two great business leaders from the Mid-American Conference! Move over Harvard and Stanford…time for some business MACtion!”
Later that day I received a LinkedIn message from UToledo Alum Michael Chung. “Hello from Korea. I attended UT in mid 80s as an international student. I took your brother’s management class. He is a memorable professor. Your photo in LinkedIn today reminded of my old professor. Good luck and keep in touch. Michael.”
Mike’s message sparked a four+ year, 6,631 mile journey. Yesterday, we raised a toast at Stubborn Brothers.
During our conversation, Mike mentioned that three UToledo professors changed his life. So, we called two that we had phone numbers for. Watching Mike’s emotional reaction while he talked to my brother, Dr. Clint Longenecker and Dr. Bill Rudd was powerful. A humble moment of reflection and gratitude from a successful husband, father, volunteer, and business leader!
Tomorrow night Mike will be honored as the 2023 College of Business Alumnus of The Year. Thank you Dr. Anne L. Balazs and Maria Schmalzried for selecting Mike for this great honor! A proud moment for The Rocket Nation. Mikes credentials speak for themselves.:
Ministry of Economy and Innovation – Republic of Lithuania
CEO and Chair – Toyota Financial Services Korea
CEO – AIG United Guaranty Korea
Vice President – Citibank Korea
Executive Director – BMW Korea
Director – Allianz Global Assistance North Asia
Today, Mike and his wife will reconnect with his close college friends Jim Wheeler and his wife Lisa, Rita Mansour, and Kevin Casper and his wife Lynn. A reunion 30+ years in the making. Very cool reunion!
Congratulations Mike on your life’s work and for being a great representative of what it means to be a member of The Rocket Nation.
