Albert Chen, Founder Of Carmel-Based Telamon Corporation, To Receive 2023 Sachem Award

By: Casey Smith

Albert Chen, founder and executive board chairman of Carmel-based telecommunications company Telamon Corp., will receive the 2023 Sachem Award next month, Gov. Eric Holcomb’s office announced Thursday.

The Sachem is Indiana’s highest honor, reserved to recognize one individual each year “whose lifetime of excellence and moral virtue has brought credit and honor to Indiana.”

“Albert came from a humble beginning as a first-generation immigrant from Taiwan, but through grit, perseverance and relentless work ethic, Albert built a $839 million company with more than 2,000 employees,” Holcomb said in a statement Thursday. “He is an innovator and entrepreneur extraordinaire who’s long been guided by the same principles he founded the company on, namely honesty, harmony, simplicity and stewardship.”

Chen will receive the award during a celebratory event at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel on Nov. 2.

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Motivation from hardships

Chen, 80, immigrated to the United States in 1968 from Taiwan, where his family struggled with homelessness at times, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

In a 2021 interview with WRTV, Chen said his family spent more than a year without a home, but that it helped “build my character.

He said he turned his hardships into motivation and later received a master’s degree in mathematical sciences from Portland State University in Oregon. He also holds a law degree from the National Cheng-Chi University in Taiwan.

Chen worked for GTE, formerly General Telephone & Electronics Corporation, in Indiana for 10 years before founding Telamon in 1985.

Since its founding, Telamon has grown to 14 locations in the U.S., three international offices, and more than 2,000 employees. It’s since become one of the largest Asian American businesses in Indiana.

The company designs, builds and installs networks that support telecommunication networks — from traditional mobile phone usage to connectivity in larger venues like stadiums, hospitals and schools.

In 2015, Chen retired as CEO and board chair of Telamon. He was succeeded by his son, Stanley Chen, who had been serving as chief operating officer.

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Lifting up fellow Hoosiers

Chen continues his leadership role with the company as executive chairman. He also serves as the managing director of Telamon Enterprise Ventures, LLC, which he established in 2017 to focus on renewable energy development and smart manufacturing solutions.

Holcomb’s office additionally called Chen a dedicated “advocate” for Asian Americans in Indiana, noting that he has founded two non-profit organizations: Asian American Alliance (AAAI) and America China Society of Indiana (ACSI).

AAAI facilitates and encourages more leadership positions and representation for Asian Americans in the workplace. ACSI focuses on building a better trade relationship between Indiana and China.

Chen currently resides in Carmel with his wife, Margaret. He enjoys spending time with his two children and 5 grandchildren, according to the governor’s office.

Chen is the seventh honoree to be named by Holcomb. Previous Sachem recipients include Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari partner Patricia Koch (2022), civic leader Jim Morris (2021), Holocaust survivor Eva Mozes Kor (2017), and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sammy L. Davis (2018).

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About the award

Each Sachem honoree receives a specially-designed sculpture, some of which are on display at the Indiana Statehouse.

In 1970, Gov. Edgar D. Whitcomb introduced the Sachems — a group of business, industry, publishing, banking and legal leaders who hosted visitors to Indiana and promoted the state’s culture and economy. The organization’s name came from the Algonquin word for village leaders.

But after Whitcomb’s term, the Sachem project ceased, and the organization dissolved in 1989.

It wasn’t until 2005 when then-Gov. Mitch Daniels recreated the Sachem to emphasize the importance of moral example. Achievement alone — without exemplary virtue — does not qualify a person for the recognition, according to the award’s description.

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