America Tang '79
Chief Executive Officer, Ace Fence Company
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lending Hope Foundation
The recipient of the Distinguished Alumna Award from the College of Business and Economics is America Tang. America is an entrepreneur, a singer and a philanthropist. She was born in Lima, Peru and is of Chinese descent. Her parents, Antonio K.Y. Tang and Yong Kiun Mac ,were born in Guangdong, China. They married in a traditional arranged marriage and four months later, Antonio immigrated to Peru in 1939.
Her mother did not join her father until 10 years later. They had six children: Arthur, America, Aida, Adela, Alina and Amelia Tang. America grew up in a loving and united family. Her father, a butcher, went on to own an import/export store, and later became the owner of a large textile company.
When America was 14, the Peruvian government experienced a coup d'�tat. Her father did not like the turn of events and moved the family to Madrid, Spain. She is fluent in Spanish and Cantonese.
Upon finishing high school, America studied at the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid. In 1974, her family moved to Los Angeles. She enrolled at Cal State L.A. and in 1979 obtained a Bachelor of Science in business administration with an option in international business and a minor in computer science.
In 1982, America was one of the founders of Handfore Realty, a full-service real estate agency in Monterey Park. At the height of her career, she was a broker and manager to more than 80 real estate sales agents.
In 1988, America and partner Peter K. Ng acquired the Ace Fence Company, where America serves as chief executive officer. The specialty construction company established in 1949, fabricates and installs chain link fencing and ornamental iron fencing for public works construction. A signature project was the median barrier of Interstate-105.
Ace Fence has been in the listed in the Top 100 Largest Women Owned Businesses in the Los Angeles County since 1990 and has received numerous recognitions for excellence.
America followed her passion for music by recording a CD, In My Life, in 2008. Promotion for her CD led to numerous radio guest spots, including: Ana Maria Lonetti, Peru Mujer in Lima, Peru, Wernie Vasquez,Rescate in San Jose, Costa Rica and Elizabeth Gil, Hablemos Claro in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Proceeds from the CD fund her non-profit organization, Lending Hope Foundation. America, founder and chief executive officer established this foundation in 2009 to end poverty through education and capital, helping poor entrepreneurs through business workshops and micro-loans.
America has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including the 2011 Distinguished Women of the 32nd District Award, presented by U.S. Representative Judy Chu. America was also nominated for the 2012 Women Who Make a Difference Award and the Asian Business Award by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
America serves on the Peruvian American Medical Society board of directors and has accompanied the group in annual medical missions to the Andes Mountain.
America is the proud mother to Amy, Annette and Michael and grandmother to Andreas. In her free time, she enjoys singing, traveling and spending time with family and friends.