William Wang

William Wang 王蔚
Born	Taipei, Taiwan
Residence	United States
Occupation	CEO of Vizio

William Wang (Chinese: 王蔚; pinyin: Wáng Wèi) is a Taiwanese-born American entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Vizio.

Early life

Wang was born and raised in Taiwan, moved to Hawaii, United States at the age of 12 and then to California at the age of 14. He attended the University of Southern California and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1986.^[1]

VIZIO

In 2000, Wang survived the crash of Singapore Airlines Flight 006, suffering only carbon monoxide poisoning. The tragedy provided an opportunity for Wang to reorganize his thoughts and his life. Within two years, Wang had closed down all of his businesses before entering the television market.^[2]

In 2001, Gateway, Inc. asked Wang to help put together a TV plan. Ted Waitt [Gateway’s then chairman] had been one of Wang’s customers at MAG, his former company and had become a mentor to Wang.^[2] Wang’s team helped Gateway put together its 42-inch plasma TV system, priced at $2999. Comparable systems at the time sold for upwards of $6000.^[3] Not long after that, Wang entered into television manufacture with his own firm.

He started "V Inc." in 2002 with Laynie Newsome, Ken Lowe and $600,000.^[4] His idea was to combine low prices with high quality and exceptional customer support, and to make this approach profitable through extremely lean operations.^[2] When V Inc. was found to be hard to pronounce, he renamed the company VIZIO Inc.^[2] – the name used for their plasma TV. The company is now one of the largest sellers of LCD HDTVs in North America with a multibillion-dollar revenue.^[5]

Other Affiliations

• Trustee of the American Film Institute (2015)^[6]
• Board of Director at Segerstrom Center for the Arts (since 2011)^[7]
• Member of the Committee of 100 (since 2010)^[8]
• Board of Counselors USC Viterbi School of Engineering (since 2009)^[9]
• Board of Directors (Co-Chair) The Tim Salmon Foundation ^[10]
• Member of the President’s Leader Council at USC^[11]
• Advisor of WI Harper^[12]

Awards

• 2015: Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award^[13]
• 2014: Consumer Brand of the Year, Asian Business Association^[14]
• 2013: Outstanding Technology CEO Finalist, OC Tech Alliance High-Tech Innovation Awards^[15]
• 2013: OC 50 in Technology in the Orange County Business Journal^[16]
• 2012: OC Business Person of the Year, Orange County Business Journal^[17]
• 2012: USC Alumni Merit Award^[18]
• 2012: Forum for Corporate Director’s Award for Enhancement of Economic Value^[19]
• 2012: Orange County Business Journal Board of Achievement^[20]
• 2012: Athletes First Classic, Golf Heart Award^[21]
• 2011: Chapman University’s Entrepreneur of the Year^[22]
• 2011: Entrepreneur of the Year, The OC Register^[23]
• 2011: USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association’s (APAA) Leadership Award^[24]
• April 26, 2010: OC 50 in Technology in the Orange County Business Journal^[25]
• 2010: Edison, AAPI, Asian Pacific American Award^[26]
• 2010: Innovative Leadership Award NAAAP in Orange County^[27]
• 2010: Orange County Business Journal, OC 50 Most Influential People^[28]
• 2010: Orange County Business Journal, Business Person of the Year^[29]
• 2009: SCMBDC, Top Minority Entrepreneurs^[30]
• 2009: Model of Taiwan and Overseas Entrepreneur Award^[31]
• 2008: Orange County Business Journal, Entrepreneur Excellence Award^[32]
• 2008: Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year^[33]
• 2008: Technology Fast 500 by Deloitte^[34]
• 2007: OC Metro Hot 25^[35]

References

1. USC, USC Class of 86'
2. Wang, William (June 1, 2007). "How I Did It: William Wang, CEO, Vizio". Inc.
3. Ogg, Erica. "The Secret of VIZIO's Success". CNET.com. CNET. Retrieved 10 Feb 2011.
4. Ogg, Erica. "CNET". The Secret of VIZIO's Success. CNET.com.
5. "The 2010 Inc. 5000: Top 10 Companies by Revenue". Inc. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
6. "American Film Institute".
7. Adams, Caitlin. "Segerstrom Center names five new directors to board". Segerstrom Center names five new directors to board.
8. "Member Roster".
9. "USC Viterbi School of Engineering". USC Viterbi School of Engineering.
10. "TSGC Co-Chairs".
11. "Alumni leaders return to alma mater".
12. "Company Overview of WI Harper".
13. "Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce".
14. "Asian American businesses celebrate their community". Retrieved 23 October 2014.
15. "OC Tech Alliance Names 2013 High-Tech Innovation Finalists".
16. "2013 OC 50 - Technology". Retrieved 11 May 2013.
17. "OC Business Person of the Year – Technology: William Wang". Retrieved 31 December 2011.
18. "2012 USC Alumni Merit Award". Retrieved 23 March 2012.
19. "Forum for Corporate Director's Award". Retrieved 23 March 2012.
20. "Orange County Business Journal". Retrieved 23 March 2012.
21. "Previous Gold Heart Award Recipients".
22. "Chapman University". Retrieved 23 March 2012.
23. "The OC Register". Retrieved 23 March 2012.
24. "Alumni Scene".
25. "2010 OC 50 - Technology". Orange County Business Journal. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
26. "Edison, AAPI". Retrieved 18 April 2011.
27. "Art and Entertainment Leadership Award". NAAAPOC.org. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
28. "OC 50 Most Influential People". Retrieved 23 March 2012.
29. "Business Person of the Year". Retrieved 23 March 2012.
30. "Top Minority Entrepreneurs". Retrieved 23 March 2012.
31. "Overseas Chinese business model of the 18th laureate".
32. "Entrepreneur Excellence Award". Retrieved 23 March 2012.
33. "Regional Entrepreneur of the Year winners revealed".
34. "Award Recipients for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 Award in Orange County/Desert Cities Announced". Ernst & Young. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
35. "2007 Hottest 25 People in Orange County". OC Metro. Retrieved 18 April 2011.