Gov. Eric J. Holcomb will honor Albert Chen, the founder and board chair for Indiana-based Telamon Corporation with the 2023 Sachem Award. A ceremony to celebrate him as the recipient of the state’s highest honor will be held at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel on Thursday, Nov. 2.
“Albert came from a humble beginning as a first-generation immigrant from Taiwan, but through grit, perseverance and relentless work ethic, Albert built a $839 million company with more than 2,000 employees,” Gov. Holcomb said. “He is an innovator and entrepreneur extraordinaire who’s long been guided by the same principles he founded the company on, namely honesty, harmony, simplicity and stewardship.”
The Governor gives the Sachem annually to recognize an individual whose lifetime of excellence and moral virtue has brought credit and honor to Indiana.
The 80-year-old Chen founded Telamon Corporation in 1985. The company designs, builds and installs networks to support telecommunication networks from traditional mobile phone usage to connectivity in stadiums, hospitals and schools. The company operates 14 domestic locations, three international offices and employs more than 2,000 staff. Chen continues his leadership role with the company as board chair of Telamon Corporation and as managing director of Telamon Enterprise Ventures, LLC, which he established in 2017 to focus on renewable energy development and smart manufacturing solutions.
Years before launching one of the largest Asian American businesses in Indiana, Chen immigrated to the United States from Taiwan in 1968 where his family struggled with homelessness at times. Chen arrived in Oregon and attended Portland State University and received his master of science in mathematical sciences. Shortly after graduation, he accepted a position with GTE in Indiana. After 10 years with GTE, Chen took a leap and founded Telamon Corporation.
Chen is proud of his Taiwanese heritage and has dedicated himself to being an advocate for Asian Americans in Indiana. He founded two non-profit organizations: Asian American Alliance (AAAI) and America China Society of Indiana (ACSI). AAAI facilitates and encourages more leadership positions and representation for Asian Americans in the workplace and ACSI focuses on building a better trade relationship between Indiana and China.
Chen resides in Carmel with his wife, Margaret. He enjoys spending time with his two children and 5 grandchildren.
Click HERE for more information on recipient Albert Chen. A headshot is available for download by clicking HERE.
Sachem (Say-chum) background:
In 1970, Gov. Edgar D. Whitcomb introduced the Sachems, a group of business, industry, publishing, banking and legal leaders, who served as state hosts, welcoming visitors to Indiana and promoting the state’s culture and economy. The organization’s name came from the Algonquin term applied to village leaders, implying wisdom, judgment and grace.
Following Whitcomb’s term, the Sachem project was not pursued, and the organization dissolved in 1989. Whitcomb visited Gov. Daniels in 2005 to acquaint him with the concept. Gov. Daniels recreated the Sachem to underscore the importance of moral example; achievement alone without exemplary virtue does not qualify a person for this recognition.
Including Chen, eighteen Sachem awards have been bestowed by an Indiana governor since the honor was revived in 2005. Each Sachem honoree receives a specially designed sculpture.
Previous recipients include civic leader Jim Morris (2021), Holocaust survivor Eva Mozes Kor (2017) and Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame and world statesman (2006). Chen is the seventh Sachem honoree named by Gov. Holcomb.
Click HERE for a complete list of recipients.