Korean-American Chamber of Commerce of Houston
Outstanding CEO of the Year
April 30, 2010
Steve (Myung Hee) Cho
Empire Tools
Steve (Myung Hee) Cho epitomizes the many immigrants who come to the United States with very little to his name. He and his wife moved to Texas from Korea in 1976. Mr. Cho had a vision for his company back in 1977. He started selling tools out of the trunk of his car and at a flea market in Channelview. Today, he owns a 33,000-square-foot store filled with rows of tools, hammers and generators.
Mr. Cho has made many contributions toward the betterment of our city through his dedication and commitment to the community. Mr. Cho devotes much of his time as a volunteer for the Korean-American community.
He currently serves as the chairman of the board for the Korean Community Center, a nonprofit group which empowers Houston’s Korean-American and other communities through education, advocacy, social services, and development of resources. He also served as the president of the Korean-American Chamber of Commerce; vice president of the National Unification Advisory Council; and chairman of Radio Korea Houston. He also served as the president of the Southwestern Zen Academy and a member of the Houston Korean School.
Mr. Cho and his wife have two sons, John and James, who now help run Empire Tools.