Title
Honoring Michael Cherwayia Thao for his leadership in the community.
Body
WHEREAS, Michael Cherwayia Thao came to Saint Paul in 1978 where he has been a successful businessman, community leader, political activist and valued community volunteer for more than 40 years; and
WHEREAS, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and minor in Mathematics and Physics in 1991 from Augsburg College, completed a 3M STEP Program Certification, CUHCC Mediation Certification, and served at Primerica Promotion where he rose to Regional Vice-President; and
WHEREAS, he serves as the Treasurer and Fundraising Chair for the Minnesota Hmong-Lao Veterans Commemorative Memorial, an organization established to create a permanent memorial to honor fallen soldiers, military personnel and citizens who served in the "Secret War" in Laos and to help ensure that they are not forgotten, as well as to provide education to the younger generations and as leader of the campaign fundraising team, raised more than $230,000 from the community, local businesses and organizations and $450,000 from the State of Minnesota to build the monument; and
WHEREAS, Michael is also the History Book Chair, leading the collection of personal stories from the war to be compiled and published; and
WHEREAS, Michael Cherwayia Thao’s passion is helping families build generational wealth which fuels his work as CEO and President of the nationwide company Generational Financial Group, which was founded in 2008 and offers financial products and services to help families build wealth for generations; and
WHEREAS, he also owns additional businesses including Partners Enterprise Realty, where he serves as a Broker and Developer, MCT Tax Services, and Generational Properties; and
WHEREAS, as a real estate broker and developer, he partnered with JB Vang in 2018 to develop 60 units of affordable family housing on the East Side, Parkway Apartments, which was completed in January 2022 and today is fully occupied; and
WHEREAS, his honors include serving on the Hmong 18 Council in 2014 and 2021, the Hmong American Leadership Council in 2021, being named in the Biltmore Who's Who, Lo and Pha Society of Minnesota and Thao Kue; and
WHEREAS, his additional community service activities include serving as the Vice-President of Thao United National since 2019, as Chairperson for the Pageant Committee of the Hmong American New Year, Financial Chair of the Silver Maple District for Boys Scouts of America, Co-Founder of Hmong Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Secretary and board member of North East Neighborhood Development Corporation, Chairperson of Planning Committee for the Peoples Network of Minnesota, Treasurer of Hmong Youth Association of Minnesota, Outreach Person for Hmong Student Academic Development Center at the University of Minnesota, Member of Lao Family Community of Minnesota, hosting a radio talk show on Hmong Broadcast Company since 2007 and hosting a talk show on 3Hmong TV since 2009; and
WHEREAS, as an active political volunteer, Michael has been an advisor to Saint Paul City Councilmember Dai Thao and State Senator Foung Hawj, campaign treasurer for Minnesota DFL Asian Pacific American Caucus, school board members Al Oertwig and Neal Thao, Committee for World-Class Schools (Saint Paul School Tax Levy) in 2000, State Senator Ellen R. Anderson, and a volunteer for State Senator John Marty’s Gubernatorial bid, Mayor Randy Kelly, Senator Paul Wellstone, Congressman Bruce Vento, Co-Treasurer for State Senator Mee Moua, and Co-Founder and Treasurer of Hmong American DFL Caucus; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that in recognition of his accomplishments, volunteerism and leadership in the community, September 9, 2023, is declared Michael Cherwayia Thao Day in the City of Saint Paul