AUSTIN,??ng v?t ch?ch ng??i Texas — Angela Chao, sister of former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, died in an automobile accident on Feb. 11 at the age of 50.
Angela Chao was chair and CEO of Foremost Group, a leading New York charterer of large and eco-friendly bulk carriers. Her path to success in business began at a young age, when she would accompany her father, Dr. James S. C. Chao, founder of Foremost, to “Take Your Daughter to Work” days, even joining him on visits to the company’s ships.
James Chao said in a family statement, “Angela’s name in Chinese sounds like the characters for peace and prosperity. Her absence leaves a void not only in our hearts, but in the Asian American community.”
Angela Chao supported a wide range of educational, fine arts, health, and community organizations. She served on the Harvard Business School Board of Dean’s Advisors, and, in honor of her parents, established the Ruth Mulan Chu Chao and James Si-Cheng Chao Family Fellowship at Harvard College. She served on the Chairman’s Council of the Metropolitan Museum of the Arts and as an Advisory Board member of the Metropolitan Opera.
Chao received her MBA from Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree in economics from Harvard College, where she graduated magna cum laude in three years. She wrote a finance case entitled “Ocean Carriers,” which is used in the first-year required curriculum at Harvard Business School and at other top business schools.
Survivors include her husband, Jim Breyer; her father, Dr. James S.C. Chao; and her sisters, Elaine Chao, May Chao, Christine Chao, and Grace Chao. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Mulan Chu Chao, and sister, Jeanette Chao.
Elaine Chao served as transportation secretary for President Donald Trump and labor secretary for President George W. Bush. She is married to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said in a statement, “The passing of Angela Chao is a tragedy. An extraordinarily accomplished business leader and expert in the maritime industry, she also was generous with her time and talent to a number of philanthropic organizations.
“My heart goes out to Angela’s sister, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, and her brother-in-law, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, as well as to her father, husband, and her other family members.”