David S. Chang

David S. Chang is a political figure, military veteran, editor of The Art of Thinking Smart,^[1] and an entrepreneur based in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is the Chairman and CEO of Chang Holding Company Incorporated,^[2] an officer in the Hawaii Army National Guard, and is currently the Chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party ^[3] and a member of the Republican National Committee.^[4] Chang was elected chair in November 2011 for the 2011-2013 term ^[5] and re-elected for another two year term in May 2013.^[6]

Early life

Chang was born in Sacramento, California, and is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Computer Science. After West Point, Chang was selected as an East-West Graduate Degree Fellow and attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa where he graduated with a Masters in Arts in Political Science, with a specialty in Asian Politics, and also received his Masters in Theological Studies from Covenant Theological Seminary.

Chang is a second generation Korean-American.^[7]

Professional Life

Politics: HRP Chairman

On November 8, 2011, the Hawaii Republican Party announced it had elected Chang as its new chairman in a unanimous vote by the party’s state committee, which is made up of 51 elected House District chairpersons, 4 county chairs, executive committee members and Republican leaders in the Hawaii State House and Senate.^[8] Chang took the job when he was just 31, making him the youngest person ever to assume the post in the country at that time.^[7]

Chang was selected by Campaigns & Elections Magazine as Hawaii’s Top 10 Influencers of the 2012 Elections.^[9] He was also a superdelegate to the 2012 Republican National Convention.

In March 2013, Chang traveled to Seoul, Korea for an appearance with former American President George W. Bush.^[7]

Military

Upon graduation from West Point, Chang was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army as an Armor Officer. His assignments include 3d Regiment, 4th Cavalry Squadron, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, ground scout platoon leader and assistant S3. He then branch detailed to Military Intelligence. He served as the assistant S2 for 3-4 Cavalry, Battalion S2 for 3d Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, and Deputy Brigade S2 for the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08. Chang is a veteran of the Global War on Terror and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He joined the Hawaii Army National Guard in 2009 and has served in the JFHQ, 103d Troop Command, and Commander, B Co/29th BSTB (MICO), 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. He currently serves as the 29th Brigade Combat Team Intelligence Officer in the Hawaii Army National Guard.

Business

Chang is the Chairman and CEO of Hawaii-based investment firm Chang Holding Company,^[7] which currently comprises WealthBridge Inc., WealthBridge Real Estate and Development LLC, GreenTech Pacific LLC, and Pacific West Imports and Export. He founded Chang Holding Company in 2010 and is based out of Honolulu, Hawaii. WealthBridge Inc., was selected as a FIVE-STAR Wealth Manager for the State of Hawaii in 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011. WealthBridge Inc. was selected by The National Association of Board Certified Advisory Practices (NABCAP) as a Premier Advisor for 2013 and 2012.

In 2011, Pacific Edge Magazine selected Chang as Young Professional of the Year.^[10] In 2010, he was selected as the Business Leader of the Year^[11] from the Pacific Business News 2010 class of Forty Under 40 in Hawaii.^[12] In 2011, he was a finalist for The Business Leadership Hawaii American Savings Bank Business Leader of the Year.^[13]

Chang currently has a blog called The Art of Thinking Smart and weekly column in The Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s weekly MidWeek.^[14]

Personal life

Chang is married to Beth Fukumoto Chang,^[15] an elected state representative in Hawaii House of Representatives for District 36, Mililani and Mililani Mauka.

Chang is a member of the Financial Planning Association, Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and is the past Chair of the steering committee for the Young Professionals program of The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. Chang is also involved with local church ministries.

David earned a Certificate of Leadership from the East-West Center and was selected as an East-West Graduate Degree Fellow.^[16] He is a guest lecturer at Chaminade University.

References