About
Peng's journey, an incredible story...
Once a farmer in rural Shandong during the 1960s, a man had no land or job. He relied on picking cow dung and doing hard physical work to earn a few pennies each day. At 19, he migrated from Shandong to Inner Mongolia, thousands of miles away, in search of better opportunities. In the vast, empty land of Inner Mongolia, he faced challenges such as fighting wolves and enduring harsh winters while working as a farmer and tanner. Despite these obstacles, he persevered through self-learning and diligent work. He lifted himself up from being a farmer to a teacher, accountant, banker, and eventually the President of one of the big four banks (ABOC) in the State of Inner Mongolia. He became the youngest President at his level.
This is my father, Jinyou Peng (彭金友). He is my role model. So in my mind, anything is possible. His life reflects all the values that he believes in: Upward, Unite, Integrity, and Legacy.
He wrote his memoir when he retired in 2010, reflecting his lifelong journey of self learning, self rising, challenges, friendship, and opportunities. The story tells how harsh the environment has been for those five decades, and it is eye opening for our generation.
Inspired by my father, many of our generation set their different journeys with a common theme: work hard to move upward and build a legacy.
I am the only one in my family who went abroad. The main reason is that right after I started working for ABOC bank, I felt a strong urge to go to America as if I will never be able to catch it once the train is missed. I studied day and night to prepare for the TOEFL and GMAT exams. Understanding my own humble beginning, I gave it my life effort, often studying until falling into sleep, showering myself in hot and humid Beijing summer, and taking raw garlic as cold medicine to save time. “Luck is for the prepared” – I firmly believe it. With Mr. Jie Kong and Professor Douglas Loh’s assistance, I landed in College Station in 1998 and started my American journey.
Texas A&M University and Texas shaped my ways of thinking and working in my twenties, and it had lasting impact on me. Over the years, I’ve traveled extensively throughout the world, I’ve ventured different businesses, embracing challenges and opportunities that this land of free and home of brave brings us all. Now at my mid life, I often reflect the past and vision the future. I examine more what it means to live by our family values and build our family legacy.
Sean Peng, CPA, CFA, MBA
Redmond, Washington
" There is a will, there is a way."
- The most powerful and simple say that inspired me all along
" Always ask what you can do to resolve the challenges, not what you can complain to add fuel to fire."
- When facing challenges
" When you are young, go out and start your journey, you never know what life will bring you. You are born to explore, not to be stale. "
- How to live your life