Crystal Window & Door Systems President Steve Chen was honored by CMP New York at the non-profit organization’s annual Breakthrough Rising Gala at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on April 27.
This year, the gala paid tribute to second-generation New York area entrepreneurs continuing the legacy built with their families’ startup companies and breaking new ground. The gala was attended by several hundred business, community, and government leaders.
“It was very rewarding to be recognized by CMP for continuing the growth of Crystal Windows, the company my parents began over 30 years ago,” Chen said. “It has been challenging to keep the company successful through economic downturns and booms, and hard work to ensure Crystal stays at the cutting edge in an industry rapidly evolving. But I hope Crystal’s success and my story can inspire other second-generation leaders to steer their family businesses to even greater heights.”
During the event, City Council Member Vicky Paladino presented Chen with a New York City Council Proclamation. A longtime resident of Queens, Paladino remarked how she has enjoyed seeing Crystal grow with Chen taking the reins.
“So often parents start a business, and when they start a business, they hope to pass it down to their kids. And often it doesn’t go well. But in this case, you really did it [succeeded],” Paladino said.
Other CMP gala honorees included real estate developer Jeffrey Lam, Lam Generation, Yvonne Tsang, eRxCity Corporation and Prosperity Enterprises Company and lastly Jeffrey Kwan, Canal Sound and Light. The Spirit of Immigrants Award was presented to Andy Wang, owner of several Bonchon Chicken franchises.
CMP New York was established in 1972, over 50 years ago, to serve the Asian-American immigrant community expanding in New York City. Since then, CMP has extended its reach to many diverse communities with seven locations in Manhattan and Queens.
CMP offers programs to support language and literacy, job skills readiness and placement assistance, career preparation for youth and young adults, and business and resource consulting for fledgling entrepreneurs. Last year, over 4,000 youth, business owners, and individuals took part in CMP programs across the city.
