Born in Texas, Van attended university in both the U.S.A. and U.K., where he studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies. After graduating Cum Laude from law school, Van started his legal career at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. where he held several positions of increasing seniority, including Special Counsel to the General Counsel, Legal Counsel to the Executive Director, and Assistant Director to the Special Study of the Options Markets.

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Transitioning to the private sector, Van has been a partner in three law firms, and headed marketing in Asia and South America for a large international law firm. In 2015, he was approved to practice foreign law in Japan. His clients have included both publicly traded and privately held companies. 

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For the past 20+ years, Van has worked in international trade, finance and capital markets helping companies and projects in Asia, South America and North America. Among other countries, he has worked in the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia. 

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In recognition of his initiatives, in 2018 he was given a 2-year statutory appointment in the Republic of Korea as International Advisor for Economic Affairs.  In late 2022, the Korean Ministry of National Defense, in coordination with the University of Korea

appointed Van to be Chief Strategy Officer of the Korean Resilience Center, a key component of the national Cyber Security platform, where his primary responsibility is to serve as liaison with foreign Governments and investors from his Office in Washington, D.C.

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Due to client demand, he has also served as CEO, President or CRO for companies in USA and Asia with employees of 8,000 to 175.

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Van has been a Member of the Board of Directors or Board Advisor to publicly traded and privately held companies. 

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Having enjoyed so many memorable meals (some good and some not so-good), Van spends part of his spare time as a food critic. 

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