Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — State Treasurer John Chiang spoke at Woodbury University in Burbank March 12, 2015
State Treasurer, John Chiang, is a cheerleader for education. Chiang delivered a pep talk last Thursday, March 12, to an audience of educators, local officials, business students, and future entrepreneurs at Woodbury University, 7500 North Glenoaks Blvd in Burbank. Chiang explained that as California’s chief banker he’s responsible for managing the state’s cash and investments as well as handling the sale of bonds and notes. You might expect that kind of numbers crunching position to be boring. It’s not to Chiang, who admits he “loves the work” and discussed finances with the zeal of a rock star gushing about his next concert.
The state official gave some financial tips like be a saver, diversify your money, buy low and sell high, and “if you believe in America bet on the (stock) market.”
Chiang was elected to the state treasurer position last November, after serving two terms as California’s controller. Before that Chiang was on the Board of Equalization from 1999 to 2005 and has worked as a tax law specialist for the Internal Revenue Service. Chiang says he has had”incredible good fortune,” but told the students “.. you have to be ready for the opportunity that comes.”
Chiang told me he was hoping to convey to the students that life is a “process of continuous learning … college is an early step.”
Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — State Treasurer John Chiang at Woodbury University in Burbank March 12, 2015
The event, part of a business lecture series, was organized by Woodbury University’s CEO or Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization. The president of the Woodbury chapter, Selin Babakhani, says the group likes to bring in speakers who will inspire the students.
Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — CEO president Selin Babakhani and member Sevag Leon at Woodbury University in Burbank March 12, 2015
