Meet Tony
My Story
About Me
My story starts in East San Jose. The son of Vietnamese refugees who came to this country with nothing, I grew up understanding that education wasn't just a path to a better life — it was the whole point. My parents sacrificed everything so I could have opportunities they never did. That foundation shaped everything I've built since.
I went on to graduate from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in Management Information Systems and Finance, and later completed the Young American Leaders Program at Harvard Business School. But the education that shaped me most took place right here — in the neighborhoods, businesses, and community of San Jose.
In 2005, I became a Wingstop Brand Partner, eventually growing into multiple locations and a team of over 150 employees. I co-founded Maven's Creamery, which won a deal with Barbara Corcoran on Shark Tank Season 10. I founded LaunchYourFirst.com to help other entrepreneurs — especially those from underserved communities — build businesses from the ground up. I co-founded Enterprise Purchasing Group to help small businesses compete on procurement. And I serve on the San Jose Office of Economic Development's Small Business Advisory Committee and oversee 60,000+ businesses in the city. I am also a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum Silicon Valley.
I am also the father of a current East Side Union High School District student — my son, Damon (16), attends Piedmont Hills High School.
The Mission That Changed Everything
Andy's Cafe
But the venture closest to my heart is Andy's Cafe. When my son Andy was diagnosed with autism at age 2.5, my family and I entered a world that most people don't see — a world of IEP meetings, therapy schedules, and the quiet, constant fear of what happens when your child grows up, and the system stops supporting them.
When I read that 85% of autistic adults with college degrees are unemployed, I didn't just feel heartbroken; I did something about it. I founded Andy's Cafe, a nonprofit coffee shop in San Jose that employs adults from the autism and special needs community — and proves every single day that with the right support and the right environment, these individuals don't just survive, they thrive.
Why I'm Running
I am running for the ESUHSD Board of Trustees because I believe East San Jose students deserve a board member who has actually built something, hired people, managed budgets, navigated systems, and fought for families like mine. I'm not running to add a title to my resume. I'm running because the stakes are too high to sit on the sidelines.
My vision is simple: every student who walks through the doors of an East Side Union school should walk out with real skills, real opportunities, and the belief that this community is behind them. That means expanding career pathways, strengthening support for students with special needs, holding the district accountable for its budget, and building the kind of community partnerships that turn a diploma into a launching pad.
I have spent my entire career doing exactly that — and I'm ready to bring all of it to the board.
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