Matt Fong
Matt Fong | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 30th California State Treasurer | |
| In office January 2, 1995 – January 4, 1999 | |
| Governor | Pete Wilson |
| Preceded by | Kathleen Brown |
| Succeeded by | Phil Angelides |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 20, 1953 Alameda, California |
| Died | June 1, 2011 (aged 57) Pasadena, California |
| Resting place | United States Air Force Academy Cemetery Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Paula Fong (?-2011, his death) |
| Children | Matthew Fong II Jade Fong |
| Residence(s) | Pasadena, California |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1975–1990 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
Matthew Kipling Fong[1][nb 1] (November 20, 1953 – June 1, 2011) was a Republican who served as the 30th California State Treasurer and was also the adopted son of Democrat March Fong Eu, the 25th California Secretary of State.[2][3]
Born in Alameda, California, Fong graduated from Skyline High School earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the United States Air Force Academy in 1975, an MBA at Pepperdine University in 1982, and a J.D. at the Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles in 1985.[2][3]
He retired from his Air Force Reserve assignment at The Pentagon, serving as an adviser to the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force on budget and finance[4] with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserve.[2][3]
In 1991, California Governor Pete Wilson appointed Fong to the State Board of Equalization,[2] where he served as its Vice Chairman[5] from 1991 to 1994. He left the Board in 1994 when he was elected State Treasurer for a four-year term that began January 1995.[2][3]
In the 1998 U.S. Senate election, he unsuccessfully challenged incumbent California Senator Barbara Boxer,[2][3] despite support from Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and House Speaker Newt Gingrich.[6]
He was President of the Strategic Advisory Group providing counsel to CEOs and senior executives on strategy and business development. He was Special Counsel to the law firm of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton.[2]
Fong held Series 7 and 63 securities licenses and was a principal of Belstar Group, a New York-based asset manager.[4]
Fong was an independent director of TCW Group's complex of mutual funds. He also served on two technology start-up companies' boards of directors — one dealing with earthquake detection devices (Seismic Warning Systems) and the other involved with energy saving devices (American Grid).[4]
U.S. President George W. Bush appointed Fong chairman of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation Advisory Board.[2] Fong also served as a Regent of Pepperdine University[3] and a Trustee of Southwestern University School of Law.[4]
He lived in Pasadena, California with his wife, Paula, with whom he had two children: Matthew II and Jade. Fong died of cancer in his Pasadena home on June 1, 2011. He was buried at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is survived by his mother, wife and children.[2][3]
Notes
References
- ^ California Births, 1905–1995
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Richman, Josh (June 1, 2011). "Former state Treasurer Matt Fong dies at 57". Oakland Tribune.
- ^ a b c d e f g York, Anthony (June 2, 2011). "Matt Fong dies at 57; former California state treasurer". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b c d "Earthquake Early Warning from Seismic Warning Systems - About Us - Board of Directors". Seismic Warning Systems. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
- ^ "Matthew K. Fong." Notable Asian Americans. Gale Research, 1995. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2008. http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/BioRC Document Number: K1620000046. Fee. Updated: 30 December 1995. Retrieved 12 December 1995.
- ^ Janofsky, Michael (August 14, 1998). "California G.O.P. Senate Nominee Goes From Long Shot to Star". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-12-12.
Further reading
- Fong, Matt. "California Crisis a Golden Opportunity for Voters." Sacramento Bee, March 22, 1992.
- Fong, Matt. "Unfair Taxes Are Hurting State Revenue by Killing Jobs," Sacramento Bee, October 4, 1992.
- Lin, Sam Chu. "Matt Fong Scopes Asian Pacific American Economic Opportunities." Asian Week, February 4, 1994.
External links
- 1953 births
- 2011 deaths
- California Republicans
- Deaths from cancer in California
- Deaths from skin cancer
- Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
- People from Alameda, California
- People from Pasadena, California
- People from the Greater Los Angeles Area
- Pepperdine University alumni
- Southwestern Law School alumni
- State treasurers of California
- United States Air Force Academy alumni
- American politicians of Chinese descent