Dear Friends,
Time really flies by. Once again, we are going to celebrate the coming New Year of 2020. May I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. As usual, allow me to share the highlights of my 2019 year.
2019 is the 10th anniversary of The Alliance Cultural Foundation. When I look back ten years ago, I never dreamt that we would be able to reach this scale. Not only have we achieved a great deal for the indigenous people and to secure the land of the east coast region of Taiwan, but even more we are involved in education reform in the entire Taiwan. At Junyi School of Innovation, we now have the second high-school graduating class with ten students studying in six different countries, having the ability to study abroad is something they would have never imagined.
To start with some beautiful memories. Firstly, I am so pleased that my predecessor of American Express, Bruce Douglass, and spouse, Marijo, visited me in Taiwan. Over the years, not only have we become good friends, but more importantly, Bruce has been my mentor since his time in Taiwan even after I left the company and his return to the United States. I still remember in 1992 when I was Chair of YPO Taipei Presidents’ University, Bruce voluntarily flew to Taiwan to help set up the conference. When I launched the hotel in Vancouver, Bruce and Marijo helped a great deal in looking after the hotel for me. It is so nice that after all these years, they made another trip to the far east. It is truly a great pleasure to see old friends.
Time really flies by. Once again, we are going to celebrate the coming New Year of 2020. May I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. As usual, allow me to share the highlights of my 2019 year.
2019 is the 10th anniversary of The Alliance Cultural Foundation. When I look back ten years ago, I never dreamt that we would be able to reach this scale. Not only have we achieved a great deal for the indigenous people and to secure the land of the east coast region of Taiwan, but even more we are involved in education reform in the entire Taiwan. At Junyi School of Innovation, we now have the second high-school graduating class with ten students studying in six different countries, having the ability to study abroad is something they would have never imagined.
To start with some beautiful memories. Firstly, I am so pleased that my predecessor of American Express, Bruce Douglass, and spouse, Marijo, visited me in Taiwan. Over the years, not only have we become good friends, but more importantly, Bruce has been my mentor since his time in Taiwan even after I left the company and his return to the United States. I still remember in 1992 when I was Chair of YPO Taipei Presidents’ University, Bruce voluntarily flew to Taiwan to help set up the conference. When I launched the hotel in Vancouver, Bruce and Marijo helped a great deal in looking after the hotel for me. It is so nice that after all these years, they made another trip to the far east. It is truly a great pleasure to see old friends.
With Bruce and Marijo Douglass
Later in the year, a few of my former American Express colleagues came to Taiwan to visit me coming all the way from New York to Jordan for a small gathering and a few nice meals. Next year will be a larger group and we will all spend a few days together. I feel you can never measure how close you are until you have left each other and found your own destiny. We are so pleased that each year we get to enjoy this reunion even after 40 years.
Annual gathering with former American Express colleagues
Another highlight of this year, 2019 is the 40th year since I left American Express. American Express International have continued to invite me to give a speech, in the 40th year, I feel it is an appropriate time. I was touched to see the sign in the office which said, “Welcome Home.” It was very much a feeling of home because of all the great stories which I shared with the new staff. Looking at the fresh and beautiful faces reminded me of the great times I had before.
"Welcome Home" at the American Express office with the Chair
Mid-December was the weekend gathering of the Ritz (Landis) Hotel retirees and those who have left. This has become an annual tradition. They have become General Managers, Professors, accomplished individuals, or are raising a family of their own. The Ritz continues to be in their hearts and the highlight of their lives which I also treasure very much.
Annual gathering with former Ritz (Landis) Hotel staff
As for the business side, at the beginning of the year, I was invited to conduct a two-day seminar for Taitung’s newly elected governor and department heads. I communicated what I foresee in the future of the east coast of Taiwan, and gave them ideas which hopefully can achieve mutual consensus.
Seminar with Taitung’s newly elected governor (to my right) and department heads
In September, I visited the United States with my Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and Cynthia. This time was not for the speech, but to show our appreciation to those who have supported the foundation. We covered Los Angeles, San Francisco followed by Seattle and Vancouver where we have students based. I was pleased to have the opportunity to visit many of them studying in the west coast. They seem to be doing well, and hopefully will set good examples for the new track we have built for them and their futures.
Gathering in Seattle with volunteers and a student who studies at Olympic College
The foundation also supports two cultural foundations – Taiwan Connection and the Chiang Arts and Cultural Foundation. Taiwan Connection which Hu Naiyuan runs successfully with support from the foundation. Not only have we been able to mobilize musicians to perform and give talks at schools in the remote countryside and businesses island-wide, the annual Taiwan Connection concert was a great success. We were able to fill every seat in the concert halls from Kaohsiung, Taichung to Taipei. This year, 54 musicians performed Brahms Symphony No. 2 conductorless which was certainly a challenging task. In addition, we were paid a visit by Joshua Bell. Naiyuan and Joshua came from the same school; Naiyuan is seven years his senior, and they share the same mentor. After so many years, they were able to perform together in Taipei. We exclusively invited supporters of Taiwan Connection, The Alliance Cultural Foundation and few other organizations. It was a wonderful experience.
Joshua Bell and Hu Naiyuan
Last but not least, we are now undertaking a project helping Paul Chiang to set up his museum in Taitung. I believe it will become the landmark of Taiwan and Taitung. Next March, Paul Chiang will have an exhibition at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. It is reviewed as one of the largest exhibitions which the foundation is also helping with.
As for family, everyone is healthy and well. One of Liza’s poetry books has been translated into French. In May, she was invited by the French Ministry of Culture to present at the Night of Literature in Montmartre which I was told was very well received. Cynthia also accompanied her to revisit Paris and they obviously had a wonderful time. Lawrence continues in venture capital and travels heavily between Taiwan, Shanghai and Beijing.
As for family, everyone is healthy and well. One of Liza’s poetry books has been translated into French. In May, she was invited by the French Ministry of Culture to present at the Night of Literature in Montmartre which I was told was very well received. Cynthia also accompanied her to revisit Paris and they obviously had a wonderful time. Lawrence continues in venture capital and travels heavily between Taiwan, Shanghai and Beijing.
Liza signing books at the Night of Literature in Paris
The story is to be continued with support from friends and angels.
Once again, wishing you all well and the best of 2020!
Once again, wishing you all well and the best of 2020!
Best wishes,
Stanley
Stanley
