On the evening of October 3, 2025, the Greater Philadelphia Asian American Business Group (AABAGP) held its first annual Golden Eagle Awards banquet at the Philadelphia LIVE Casino and Hotel ballroom, gathering approximately four hundred individuals from the business, political, and community sectors.
The four recipients of the Golden Eagle Awards were Fortune Global 500 company Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Riverwards Group Executive Partner and Maven Developments co-founder Mo Rushdy, the late founder of THA Architecture Consulting firm Tim Haahs, and Ocean Kingdom.
The Greater Philadelphia Asian American Business Group, a non-profit organization established in September 2024, aims to promote economic growth, success, and safety for local Asian business owners. The board of directors is chaired by former Philadelphia City Councilman, consultant, and lawyer David Oh, with Ken Wong, President of Joint Insurance Company, serving as the president.
The awardees have made significant contributions to Philadelphia’s economic development. Among them, Ocean Kingdom, founded by Chinese-American CEO Yong Lin, has grown into a global seafood supplier with annual revenue exceeding $200 million in just over a decade. Lin mentioned the power of God in his speech, expressing gratitude for divine support in his career and personal life, emphasizing the transformative impact of faith on his journey.
One of the highlights of the evening was the surprise presentation of a $150,000 check to the Greater Philadelphia Asian American Business Group by Philadelphia City Councilman Jim Harrity, on behalf of the City Council, to support their ongoing initiatives. Harrity commended the inclusivity and positive impact of the organization under David Oh’s leadership.
Various distinguished guests spoke at the event, including Exelon Corporation Vice President Mike Innocenzo, Amtrak Board Chairman Robert Gleason, Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association President David Taylor, Philadelphia Port Authority Chairman and Public Health Management Corporation CEO Mike Pearson, and Hanwha International President Sihwan Ryu.
The moving speech by Janice Haahs, the widow of the late award recipient Tim Haahs, resonated deeply with attendees. Tim’s life story, displayed in a video presentation at the banquet hall, highlighted his journey from being born in South Korea to his family’s immigration to Philadelphia in 1968, his two heart transplant surgeries in the 1990s, and his profound shift towards faith-centered living and community service.
Emphasizing Tim’s unwavering faith and commitment to service, Janice shared insights into Tim’s transformative experiences and the evolution of THA Consulting firm, founded with a mission to use their talents to help others, reflecting the couple’s shared values of faith, humility, and sincerity in business and personal endeavors.
Janice concluded by expressing hope that Tim and THA’s story would inspire others to lead with a balance of strategy, faith, humility, and sincerity in their careers and beyond, echoing the legacy of service and integrity that Tim embodied throughout his life.