Dr. James S. C. Chao
Dr. James S. C. Chao is the Founder and Chairman of Foremost Group, an international shipping company known for its integrity, reliability and service. He grew up in an educated family in a small farming village. Early in his career, he advanced rapidly through the ranks to become one of the youngest sea captains at the age of 29. He took the national Master Mariner Examination and achieved the highest score ever recorded. This achievement gave him the opportunity to pursue further studies in the United States.
Dr. Chao and his late wife, Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao, have devoted their lives to championing education and philanthropy. To commemorate Ruth’s legacy of faith, family, and philanthropy, generous gifts have been made to scholarships and institutions benefiting thousands of students. Since four of the Chao daughters attended Harvard Business School (HBS), Dr. Chao and family foundations endowed the Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Center as part of a $40 million gift to the University that also supports the Ruth Mulan Chu and James Si-Cheng Chao Family Fellowship Fund. The gift was in recognition of the 375th anniversary of Harvard University and the 50th anniversary of admission of women to HBS; the building was also the first to be named after a woman and Asian Pacific American in Harvard’s history.
After earning an MBA, Dr. Chao founded Foremost Maritime Corporation which later expanded to Foremost Group. An early adopter of green technology, Foremost Group incorporates fuel-efficient and decarbonization designs and non-fossil fuel technology in its fleet, continuously upgrading its ships with energy saving devices, and building new ships with alternative fuel and carbon capture features. Foremost’s fleet is ranked among the world’s most eco-friendly bulk carriers. For his outstanding contributions to the international maritime industry, Dr. Chao was inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame at the United Nations.
The recipient of innumerable honors and awards, Dr. Chao has been recognized with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for outstanding contributions to our nation, as well as the Horatio Alger Award of Distinguished Americans at the United States Supreme Court. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recognized Dr. Chao as an Outstanding American by Choice. American Legion Post 1291 presented their Outstanding Service Award to Dr. Chao. St. John’s University, Niagara University, Nyack University, Fu Jen Catholic University, National Taiwan Ocean University, Massachusetts Maritime College and Webb Institute bestowed Honorary Doctorate Degrees on Dr. Chao. In recognition of his outstanding leadership in the maritime community, the Seamen’s Church Institute conferred upon Dr. Chao its highest honor, the Silver Bell Award. Massachusetts Maritime College awarded Dr. Chao with its inaugural Admiral’s Distinguished Service Award for inspiring leadership and contributions to society. Columbia University awarded Dr. Chao its inaugural EPIC Achievement Award. SUNY Maritime College awarded Dr. Chao its Admiral’s Award for his inspiring leadership. Lloyd’s List presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Chao. United States Coast Guard Academy recognized Dr. Chao with its inaugural Scientæ Cedit Mare Award; American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) honored Dr. Chao with its Lifetime Achievement Award. The Asian Pacific Islanders American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship honored Dr. Chao with its 2025 LEGACY AWARD before more than 700 members at its annual conference. Asia Society bestowed upon Dr. Chao its “Game Changer Award.” The Coast Guard Foundation recognized Dr. Chao as its Honoree of the year! Marine Society of New York (established in 1790) inducted Dr. Chao as an honorary member joining the ranks of George Washington and Alexander Hamilton. To learn more about Dr. Chao’s journey, please visit the Chao Family Foundations: www.chaofamilyfoundations.com; Foremost Foundation: www.theforemostfoundation.org; and the family’s story at Harvard Business School: www.library.hbs.edu/hc/chaofamily/
The Honorable Elaine L. Chao
Secretary Chao is the first Asian-Pacific American woman to serve in the President’s cabinet in American history. She has been confirmed to two cabinet positions by the United States Senate on a bipartisan basis: U. S. Secretary of Labor and U. S. Secretary of Transportation. She is also the longest serving Cabinet Secretary since World War II.
As U. S. Secretary of Transportation, Secretary Chao focused on keeping the country’s transportation system safe and efficient; invested over $300 billion in infrastructure; and, promoted American innovation in autonomous vehicles, drones, and commercial space. During the COVID-19 crisis, Secretary Chao’s decisive actions kept America’s transportation networks safe and moving.
As U.S. Secretary of Labor, Secretary Chao focused on increasing the competitiveness of the American workforce in a global economy. She set new records for workplace safety and health and spearheaded the passage of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, saving the pensions of 44 million Americans.
Prior to becoming U. S. Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao was President and CEO of United Way, where she restored public trust by reforming the governance structure and instilling a new culture of accountability and transparency after the organization had been tarnished by previous financial mismanagement and abuse.
Elaine Chao also served as Director of the Peace Corps, where she launched programs in the newly liberated Baltic nations and former Soviet Union, including Ukraine. She began her public service working on transportation and trade issues at the White House. She was promoted in rapid succession to Deputy Maritime Administrator, U. S. Department of Transportation where she helped promote and strengthen the U.S. merchant marine; Chairman, Federal Maritime Commission overseeing the regulation of international ocean transportation and ensuring a fair and competitive global shipping system; and Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation. In the private sector, Elaine worked as Vice President of Syndications at Bank of America and Citicorp.
Throughout her career, Secretary Chao has consistently advanced the importance of maritime infrastructure. As U.S. Secretary of Transportation, she played a key role in modernizing America’s maritime capabilities, most notably through the approval and funding of the National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs), which are critical training ships for state maritime academies and support both defense readiness and disaster response. Many credit her leadership as essential to the success of this program.
Born in Taiwan, she immigrated to America at the age of 8 not speaking English and received her citizenship at age 19. Elaine earned her undergraduate degree in economics from Mount Holyoke College, and her MBA from Harvard Business School. She is the recipient of 38 honorary degrees.
Secretary Chao is widely recognized for her leadership and commitment to public service. Her career reflects a unique combination of maritime knowledge, policy expertise, and global perspective, making her a defining figure in shaping modern U.S. transportation and maritime policy. Please visit her website: www.elainechao.com and her family’s quintessential American journey at Harvard Business School https://www.library.hbs.edu/hc/chaofamily/
Wayne C. Hamilton
Wayne Hamilton grew up in Searsport, Maine, where his connection to the water began early and never left. As a boy, he built rafts from salvaged pilings along the shore and spent his days exploring the harbor, learning by doing. By his early teens, he was already lobstering from a small skiff, steadily upgrading his boats through hard work and careful saving, developing both independence and a deep, practical understanding of Maine’s coastal life.
After graduating from Searsport High School, Wayne went to work on the waterfront, loading and unloading cargo ships while continuing to fish for lobster. He took on a wide range of jobs tied to the harbor, gaining firsthand experience with the demands of commercial marine work. As a young man, he began running pilots out to incoming vessels on Penobscot Bay, often in small boats and in all conditions. Over time, that work became a decades-long commitment, and he ultimately spent more than 50 years transporting Penobscot Bay Pilots, US Coast Guard Officers and Customs Officers in Searsport Harbor.
An injury in the mid-1970s forced Wayne off the docks, but not away from the sea. Drawing on his experience as a fisherman and pilot launch, he began selling rope and marine gear out of his garage in 1977. He had seen firsthand that working fishermen often struggled to find reliable, practical supplies, and set out to provide the equipment they actually needed. What began as a small, practical operation grew steadily, built on trust, firsthand knowledge, and a reputation for fairness.
That effort became Hamilton Marine, which expanded from a garage-based startup into one of the largest marine supply companies in the Northeast, serving commercial fishermen, boat builders, and recreational boaters across Maine and beyond. Despite its growth, the company has remained grounded in Wayne’s original approach, rooted in real-world experience and a deep understanding of the needs of those who make their living on the water.
In 1985, Wayne became Searsport’s Harbormaster, a role he would hold for 40 years. Known for his reliability and willingness to respond at any hour, he answered calls in every kind of weather, often venturing out in dangerous conditions to assist vessels in distress. Over the course of his career, he was involved in hundreds of rescues, saving both boats and lives, and earning the respect of mariners throughout the region. His focus was always on safety, preparedness, and taking care of the people who work on the water.
Even in retirement, Wayne continues to contribute to Maine’s maritime community, remaining involved with the harbor master association and sharing his knowledge through teaching and mentorship. His life’s work reflects not only a deep connection to the sea, but a lasting commitment to the people and traditions that define Maine’s working waterfront. His example stands as a reminder that a life built on hard work, practical knowledge, and commitment to others can leave a lasting mark on both a community and an industry.