Leadership

Our Founder

Paul S. Hsu Ph.D.

Biography

Paul S. Hsu, an engineer, entrepreneur, business leader and public servant, was born in Taiwan and came to the United States as a first-generation immigrant in 1976. After receiving an M.S. degree in 1978 from the University of Central Missouri in Industrial Management and System Engineering, Paul soon founded Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) in 1984, serving the U.S. Department of Defense in avionics and battlefield electronics. In 1992, Paul received his Ph.D. in Engineering Management from LaSalle University and in 1995, he completed a three-year Executive Educational Program at Harvard Business School. Since 2014, Paul holds a Sr. Fellow position in the Harvard University Asia Center.

Three successful companies followed MTI beginning with Total Parts Plus, Inc., an Internet-based data content company providing electronic component obsolescence management and engineering services; ActiGraph, LLC, an electronic medical device manufacturer of a product that collects biometric data used in exercise science, sleep levels/patterns, drug research and cardiac rehabilitation; and Crestview Technology Air Park, an airport development providing infrastructure for aerospace and technology-driven solutions in Northwest Florida.

Throughout his career, Paul has demonstrated his commitment to public service. In 2003, President Bush appointed him as a member of the President’s Export Council (PEC). He served on the SBA’s National Advisory Board and the SBA’s Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Board.

Locally, he dedicated himself to community building by serving in various leadership roles with the Sustainable Emerald Coast, Enterprise Florida, Okaloosa County Military Affairs Committee, NW Florida State College Foundation, Economic Development Council of Okaloosa, University of West Florida Foundation, Emerald Coast Science Center and the Eglin Chapter AFA Education Foundation. In February 2006, Paul was selected by General T. Michael Moseley to join the USAF Chief of Staff Civic Leaders Advisory Group to help forge and strengthen the critical bonds between the Air Force and the community it serves.

Dr. Paul Hsu and President George Bush, Sr.
Guardians Of The Dream book cover image

In 2007, after selling MTI to BAE Systems, Paul was appointed by President Bush as the Associate Administrator of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Government Contracting and Business Development. In 2014, he authored “Guardians of the Dream: The Enduring Legacy of America’s Immigrants,” a narrative of his personal journey which reflects his optimistic vision of the opportunities that exist in America for those willing to work hard to achieve their dreams.

Some of the awards received by Paul and his companies include: National Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year; Small Business Person of the Year; State of Florida Governor’s Award of Excellence; Department of Defense (DoD) “Quality Vendor”; Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the State of Florida in Technology/ Communications; SBA Hall of Fame (2003); U.S. Chamber of Commerce Corporate Stewardship Award (2004); Daughters of the American Revolution Americanism Medal (2016).

Paul’s philanthropic support of students and educational programs includes the establishment of the Dr. Paul & Maggie Hsu Endowed Engineering Scholarship in 2002 rewarding outstanding students in pursuit of a career in engineering. Since 2006, Paul has served as National Chairman of the International Leadership Foundation, an organization which brings young leaders to Washington, D.C. for summer internships. Through the establishment of the HSU Educational Foundation Inc. in 2015, Paul furthered his support of education with a mission to encourage excellence in teaching and innovation in the classroom. Paul’s vision for a brighter future for the next generation begins with empowering student learning today.

About the HSU Educational Foundation

HSU Foundation logo seal

The HSU Educational Foundation considers its programs of support carefully and makes decisions with the help of its board members. The HSU Foundation welcomes proposals and makes announcements to the public with the help of web tools, civic and educational forums and the media as opportunities arise to receive financial support or recognition by an educational award.

The HSU Educational Foundation is an established non-profit organization and as such, donations are tax deductible. Please check with your accountant or tax professional regarding any necessary support documentation for reporting contributions.

The Mission

The mission of the HSU Educational Foundation is to promote excellence in teaching and encourage classroom innovation.

The Vision

– Help local students prepare for careers of global demand.

– Transform our community’s future by inspiring innovation.