Billy Hong, Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Hong spent 16 years in the commercial and investment banking industry with Bank of America, City National Bank, Premier Bank, and Redwood Securities Group. He sat on the Board of Premier Bank, and also headed up the Asian Markets Division for Redwood Securities, an investment bank, before leaving the banking industry in to devote full time to develop the China market for US-based companies and to identify investment opportunities in the China market.

For the past decade, he has developed extensive networks in China and the US. He has been advisor to numerous multinational companies wishing to gain entrance into the market place in China. Mr. Hong has successfully coordinated ventures in the following industries: exportation of agricultural commodities; funding for environmental projects; and the formation of new VC fund. Other accomplishments include the successful sales of multi-million dollar automated warehousing systems and the procurement of government-funded wastewater treatment projects.

Through his efforts China Global Advisory is now working with the Ministry of Agriculture of China. This collaborative effort will encompass areas such as technology transfer, market entry strategies for international firms, and investment and M & A opportunities in agribusinesses. This plays well in the governmental policies of promoting the cooperation of private and public sectors of both the US and China.

Harrison Haesup Lee, Managing Director

Harrison joined China Global Advisory in 2007 after 10 years of managing consulting experience. He is the founder of Leaders Association, a management consulting firm located in Seoul. Leaders Association operates in close conjunction with China Global Advisory to source and execute deals from South Korea. Prior to founding Leaders Association, he was a senior consultant at IBM Business Consulting Services in Seoul where he was responsible for leading multiple projects with Korea’s largest conglomerates including Korea Telecom, Samsung Securities, and POSCO Engineering. He specializes in corporate strategy development including market entry strategy, globalization, and strategic enterprise management.

Harrison began his career in various consulting roles at PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Andersen Consulting. Born in Seoul, Korea but raised in the US, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and East Asian Language and Civilization from University of Chicago.

Seon Yong (Sean) Lee, Board of Director

Mr. Lee is a successful entrepreneur with extensive experience in franchise restaurant operation. He established a joint venture company with HSBC Private Equity in 1999 and opened 23 TGI Friday’s restaurants in Korea. The operation was the largest franchisee outside of the US and awarded the Best Franchise of the Year 3 times. In 2002, he sold the company to the Lotte group. Beside TGI Friday’s, Mr. Lee owns and operates numerous successful franchises in Korea including an authentic Italian cuisine restaurant named Italonia. Last year, Mr. Lee diversified his investment portfolio into the medical industry to distribute Chinese medical equipment, and to explore various healthcare business opportunities.

After graduating from Korea University, Mr. Lee further pursued his academic interest in the US by earning his B.A. degree from Texas Tech University and M.B.A. degree from American University.

Steven Lum, Board of Director

Mr. Lum attended the University of Hawaii and earned his B.A. in Economics and Political Science in 1981. He subsequently graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1984 with a J.D. and then received his LL.M. in Taxation from Washington University. Mr. Lum is licensed to practice law in Hawaii, Illinois and Nevada where he maintains his current practice.

From 1990 to 1995, Mr. Lum owned Las Vegas No Ka Oi Realty, a Real Estate Brokerage and Property Management operation in Las Vegas, Nevada. He subsequently opened Global Assets which conducts real estate transactions in Nevada. The same company includes a medical product design division which is slated to bring two new devices to market in the near future.

Merlyn Carlson, Advisor

Merlyn Carlson was appointed Deputy Under Secretary to USDA's Natural Resources and Environment in June 2005. Carlson's main responsibility is overseeing the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Prior to Carlson's USDA appointment, he was appointed Director of Agriculture for Nebraska in January 1999 by then-Governor and former Secretary Johanns.

Carlson has held several national positions or affiliations in the area of agriculture. He is former president of the Mid-America International Agri Trade Council. He is a past chairman of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (MEF). In addition, he has served National Cattlemen's Beef Association, as president of that organization in 1980. In the past, Carlson has been on the board of governors of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, USDA Animal Disease Committee and the Rural Telephone Bank in Washington, D.C. Carlson also has held key positions in many Nebraska agricultural organizations and is well-known across the state. Some of his past work includes chairmanship of the Nebraska Beef Council and president of the Nebraska Stock Growers Association. He served on the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) board for many years. He has served on the advisory boards of the University of Nebraska, Colorado State University and the Small Business Administration. In April 2003 he was conferred an honorary membership in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln chapter of Phi Beta Delta.

His efforts have not gone unnoticed, earning him several awards and recognition throughout his career, including Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement honoree, Nebraska Agribusiness Club honoree, Aksarb en Agricultural Achievement Award, Northern International Livestock Expo Hall of Fame, Nebraskaland Foundation Award, University of Nebraska Block and Bridle Club honoree, Colorado State University Honor Alumni Award, University of Nebraska Agriculture Contribution Award, Legion of Honor of the Order of DeMolay, and Man of the Year - Record Stockman.