CHILING TONG Chiling Tong is the Associate Director for Legislation, Education and Intergovernmental Affairs.  Tong oversees MBDA's Congressional outreach, intergovernmental affairs, international trade, advocacy and outreach to federal, state and local governments.   Prior to Ms. Tong's appointment with MBDA, she served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia and the Pacific, for the International Trade Administration, in the Department of Commerce, with responsibility for improving access by U.S. companies to Asia-Pacific markets; strengthening the international trade and investment position of the United States; establishing international economic policies concerning the Asia-Pacific region; and carrying out programs to promote international trade. Previously, Ms. Tong worked for the State of California to promote California's economic development, trade and employment services.

Ms. Tong was the Director of California's Office of Trade and Investment in Taipei, Taiwan, and served as Assistant Secretary for International Trade in the California Trade and Commerce Agency.  She subsequently worked for the California State Senate Office of Public Affairs as the Chief Asian American Affairs Advisor and was appointed by President George W. Bush as a commissioner of the White House Initiative for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Ms. Tong received her MBA from California State University at Long Beach and a BA from the Chinese Cultural University in Taiwan.  Before joining state government, Tong was awarded a Coro Public Affairs Fellowship.  Ms. Tong was the President of the International Leadership Foundation, the Chairperson of the Los Angeles County Community Action Board, Vice President of the Monterey Park Community Relations Commission and the Public Affairs Director of the American-Chinese Business Journal.  She was also a television anchor and reporter for China TV, a Los Angeles-based international television station.  In Sacramento, she served on the Metropolitan Arts Commission and the Sacramento Asian Chamber of Commerce.

Ms. Tong is married to Joel Szabat, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy in the U.S. Department of Transportation.