Telamon founder to receive Sachem Award
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Albert Chen, founder and executive chairman of the board of Carmel-based telecommunications company Telamon Corp., will receive the 2023 Sachem Award next month, Gov. Eric Holcomb’s office announced Thursday.
The Sachem is the state’s highest honor and is used to “recognize an individual whose lifetime of excellence and moral virtue has brought credit and honor to Indiana.”
Chen, 80, immigrated to the U.S. from Taiwan in 1968 and received a master’s degree in mathematical sciences from Portland State University in Oregon. He then worked for GTE in Indiana for 10 years before founding Telamon in 1985.
Since its founding, Telamon has grown to 14 locations in the U.S., three international offices, and more than 2,000 employees.
“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,” Holcomb said in a news release. “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.”
In 2015, Chen retired as CEO and board chair of Telamon. He was succeeded by his son, Stanley Chen, who had been serving as chief operating officer.
In addition to his role as executive chairman, Chen serves as managing director of Telamon Enterprise Ventures LLC, which focuses on renewable energy development and smart manufacturing solutions.
Chen is also the founder of two not-for-profit organizations: the Asian American Alliance and the America China Society of Indiana.
Chen will receive the award during a ceremony at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel on Nov. 2.
The Sachem Award was established in 2005 by then-Gov. Mitch Daniels, inspired by the Sachems, an organization comprised of business leaders introduced by former Gov. Edgar Whitcomb in 1970.
Chen is the seventh honoree named by Holcomb. Previous recipients include Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari partner Patricia Koch, civic leader Jim Morris, Holocaust survivor Eva Mozes Kor, and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sammy L. Davis.
You can learn more about the Sachem Award by clicking here.