Kirk Tang launched his career in inter-
national business in 1993 when he graciously accepted an internship with Belonfinbank in Novosibirsk, Siberia. His family's reaction - what did you do wrong?!

His response -- "I want the adventures of difficult markets before moving to the more developed ones". And he got just that - plenty of subzero degree temperature days, an economy and political systems that just woke up from 70 years of communist rule, no knowledge of the Russian language... and a few vodka parties. But somehow, he successfully completed the assignment.

Kirk rewarded himself by spending the next three months exploring the former Soviet republics on the Trans-Siberian Express, going from the Sea of Japan to the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea before returning to Moscow.

After a year in Russia, Kirk returned to the U.S. and joined Ingram Micro's New Market Development team. For his first major international assignment, Kirk landed in South Africa evaluating potential new distribution partners. This was an interesting time as F.D. DeClerk was transferring power to Nelson Mandela. Given the country's long strug-
gle for racial equality, being in South Africa at that time was quite an experience.

Originally born in Thailand, Kirk and his family moved to Cambodia in 1972. From 1975 to 1979, Kirk faced his "personal hell" as he and his family had to survive the Khmer Rouge's (Pol Pot) Killing Field in which nearly two million people died. But Kirk's early childhood hardships strengthen him and taught him how to adapt, survive and appreciate life.

After witnessing numerous tragedies and experiencing many great losses, Kirk and his family immigrated to Huntington Beach, California in 1979. Kirk graduated with an International Marketing degree from California State University, Fullerton in 1992 and for the next ten years has helped successful start-ups and multinational technology companies enter and develop new markets in Europe, Latin America, South Africa, and Asia.

Kirk has been in China since 1998. He has worked and lived in Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen. Today Kirk is Vice President & General Manager, Asia-Pacific for MobileAware, a leading enterprise mobile solutions provider. Prior to starting MobileAware, Kirk was a Senior Manager at BEA Systems and Marketing Manager at Dell Computer. He enjoys sports, traveling and hanging out with great friends.

Kirk adds, "ORIENTED has helped a few of old friends from Russia, Holland and Hungary find me via the Web."

Kirk can be reached at tangkirk at gmail dotcom.