By Assunta Ng

Albert Shen at his campaign kick-off event on May 1, where he raised over $75,000. (Photo from Albert Shen)

Albert Shen or May Day?

For decades, every Wednesday night has been thrilling, agonizing, exhausting, and — sometimes — even hysterical and nightmarish. But if you check my calendar, you would be surprised — very few events are ever listed on Wednesdays. On Wednesdays, I have a date with my newspapers, and that’s the truth. Read the full story

Albert Shen

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) named Albert Shen as its 2012 Minority Champion of the Year. Read the full story

Participants with USPAACC National President and CEO Susan Au Allen, from left: Lawrence Pang, Murthy Kalkura, Albert Shen, Allen, and Patrick Yalung

On Dec. 16, the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC) held a focus group with about 12 American business owners based in Seattle at the Pike Place Conference Room at Wells Fargo Bank. Read the full story

By Stacy Nguyen
Northwest Asian Weekly

The Pioneers honorees and their guests (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)

Today, pioneers don’t hate to don coonskin hats to blaze trails. In fact, they come in all sorts of garb. Read the full story

By James Tabafunda
Northwest Asian Weekly

Photo provided by Albert Shen

Despite these tough economic times, Albert Shen maintains a positive attitude. His businesses are doing well, but it’s what he does during his off-hours that really stands out.

For him, social entrepreneurship is about using his professional know-how and skills to help various nonprofit organizations and academic institutions reach their goals.

Born in New Haven, Conn., Shen, 44, is the owner of Shen Consulting, Inc., a small, Washington state-certified Minority Business Enterprise based in Seattle that specializes in the delivery of large infrastructure projects.

In 2009, his company received a City of Seattle Mayor’s Small Business Award.

Shen is also a managing partner of SATin Group, a consulting firm that specializes in attracting Asian investment capital to Washington state. Read the full story

Albert Shen

Albert Shen, a Seattle entrepreneur, business owner, and local civic leader has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Seattle Community College District.

Shen has more than 15 years of project management experience in environmental, wireless, port, and aviation industries. He is principal and owner of Shen Consulting, Inc., which has been involved in several recent civil engineering projects for the Port of Seattle at SeaTac International Airport. Earlier in his career, he worked as a chemist at both Hart Crowser, Inc., and EcoChem, Inc., in Seattle. He earned his degrees in chemistry and environmental science from the University of Washington. Read the full story

From left: Nancy Chiue, Albert Shen, Colleen Hanabusa, and U.S. Congressman Jay Inslee

Colleen Hanabusa, a Democratic member of the Hawaii State Senate, is running for U.S. Congress. There was a fundraiser in Seattle at the Madison 100 Hotel in her honor. Approximately 50 people attended, and $12,000–$15,000 was raised. Read the full story

From top to bottom, left to right: Sophia Aragon, Debadutta Dash, Jeannie Lee, Faaluaina (Lua) Pritchard, and Albert Shen

Local community leaders Sophia Aragon, Debadutta Dash, Jeannie Lee, Faaluaina (Lua) Pritchard, and Albert Shen were appointed (and reappointed, in Pritchard’s case) as commissioners to the Washington State Commission on Asian and Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) by Gov. Chris Gregoire for three-year terms.

Aragon is the senior governmental affairs advisor for the Washington State Nurses Association. She was previously the legislative and policy manager for the Community and Family Health Division at the Department of Health.

Dash was a board member of the Asian Counseling and Referral Service and is the co-chair of the Washington State and India Trade Relations Action Committee.

Lee is the executive director of the Korean American Grocers Association and a member of the Sharing Love Foundation, the Federal Way Korean American Association, and an organizer of the Hanwoori Festival.

Pritchard formerly served as the executive director of the Korean Women’s Association. She also serves as chair to the Pierce County Asian Pacific Island Coalition.

Shen is the current Board Chair for the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority and board president of the Northwest Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans. ♦