"Charlie's Tech Talks" launches at UT Dallas

Empowering Asians in Technology at the University of Texas at Dallas

In an era where technology shapes nearly every aspect of our lives, creating platforms to foster innovation and diversity in this space is more crucial than ever. Enter *Charlie’s Tech Talks*, an exciting new speaker series launched at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) under the Center for Asian Studies. This inaugural event is not only dedicated to promoting Asians in technology but also aims to bridge the gap between academia and the tech industry, providing a space for meaningful dialogue, networking, and mentorship.

The Vision Behind Charlie’s Tech Talks

Named after visionary entrepreneur Charlie Wen-Tsann Chen, founder and CEO of DFW Technology, the series is designed to highlight and celebrate the contributions of Asians in the technology sector. As a pioneer who has built several successful enterprises and fostered collaboration between Taiwan and the U.S., Charlie’s journey exemplifies resilience, innovation, and leadership. His passion for creating opportunities for future generations of technologists serves as the foundation of this initiative.

The Center for Asian Studies at UTD is committed to addressing the underrepresentation of Asians in leadership roles within the tech industry. Charlie’s Tech Talks will feature a diverse range of accomplished speakers who have excelled in fields like engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship. Through their stories, students and aspiring technologists will gain invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities awaiting them.

Why It Matters

The tech industry is one of the most dynamic and fast-growing sectors globally, yet diversity, particularly in leadership roles, remains a critical issue. Asians have long been contributors to technological advancements, but their presence in executive and decision-making positions often doesn’t reflect their contributions. Charlie’s Tech Talks is committed to changing this by empowering Asians with the tools, mentorship, and inspiration they need to lead.

This initiative couldn’t have come at a better time. As the world becomes increasingly digital, the demand for technological expertise will continue to rise. By promoting diversity and inclusion within the tech industry, Charlie’s Tech Talks helps ensure that the future of technology is built by a broad spectrum of voices.

Redefining Fantasy Sports and Breaking Barriers in Tech

The inaugural Charlie's Tech Talk at UT Dallas featured Nan Wang, the co-founder and CEO of Sleeper, a fast-growing fantasy sports platform that has redefined the gaming and sports industry. Under Nan’s leadership, Sleeper became one of the most popular fantasy sports apps, known for its innovative features and strong community-driven focus. During the talk, Nan shared his entrepreneurial journey, offering insights on scaling a startup, navigating the tech landscape, and breaking barriers as an Asian leader in the highly competitive world of sports and tech. His story was a testament to resilience, innovation, and the value of building a strong, engaged user base. Attendees had the opportunity to learn how to turn passion into a thriving business while embracing challenges in the tech space.

Join the Movement

Charlie’s Tech Talks promises to be a landmark event that brings together students, technologists, and business leaders from across the globe. If you're passionate about technology, diversity, and making a difference in the world, this is a series you won’t want to miss.

Stay tuned for updates on upcoming speakers, event schedules, and how you can get involved. Let’s build a future where technology and diversity go hand in hand!

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Charlie's Tech Talks is hosted by the Center for Asian Studies at UT Dallas and sponsored by industry leaders committed to promoting diversity in technology. For more information, visit the UTD website.

Celebrating 30 Years of DFW Technology: A Luncheon Honoring Milestones, Memories, and Moving Forward

This year marks a significant milestone for DFW Technology as we celebrate three decades of growth, innovation, and dedication to our clients and our community. To commemorate the occasion, the entire DFW Technology team gathered at the renowned Fogo de Chao to honor this journey, look forward to an exciting future, and pay tribute to two invaluable team members, Joan Law and Mark Liu, as they step into retirement after over two decades of dedicated service.

Reflecting on 30 Years of Impact and Growth

The luncheon was kicked off by our CEO, Charlie Chen, who took us through DFW Technology's 30-year journey. From the company’s humble beginnings to becoming a trusted IT services provider, Charlie highlighted some of DFW’s most remarkable achievements. He shared stories of resilience, overcoming challenges, and celebrating successes as a team, emphasizing the impact DFW has had on countless businesses and communities. “DFW Technology has always been more than just a business,” Charlie noted. “It’s been a family, a team of individuals working towards a common goal of delivering excellence and fostering innovation.”

Charlie also outlined his vision for the future. As the technology landscape evolves, DFW Technology is poised to adapt, embrace new solutions, and continue to be a leader in the IT services industry. With a renewed focus on innovation, Charlie inspired everyone to look forward to the next chapter, promising exciting changes and continuous improvement.

A Fond Farewell to Joan Law and Mark Liu

While celebrating achievements and looking to the future, the luncheon was also a heartfelt moment to say goodbye to two esteemed colleagues, Joan Law and Mark Liu. Our HR Director, Joan Law, has been with DFW for over 20 years, playing an instrumental role in shaping the supportive and collaborative culture we have today. Her unwavering commitment to fostering a positive work environment has made DFW Technology a place where employees feel valued and motivated. Charlie took a moment to share stories of Joan's warmth, professionalism, and dedication, and her positive influence on each of us will be greatly missed.

We also celebrated Mark Liu, our Administrative Coordinator, whose 20+ years of service have been marked by diligence, loyalty, and attention to detail. Mark’s behind-the-scenes work has kept our day-to-day operations running smoothly, and his contributions have been vital to DFW’s success. Both Joan and Mark have left a lasting legacy at DFW Technology, setting a high standard for those who follow in their footsteps.

Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter for DFW Technology

As DFW Technology celebrates 30 years, we are reminded that the dedication, loyalty, and hard work of every team member, past and present, has brought us to where we are today. We look forward to the next chapter with excitement and gratitude, ready to embrace change and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey, and here’s to the next 30 years of growth, innovation, and continued success for DFW Technology.

Chen Family Invests in Center for Asian Studies to Benefit Community

Local business leaders Charlie and Pauline Chen of DFW Technology have committed $130,000 to the Center for Asian Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas. The majority of their gift will establish the Charlie and Pauline Chen Family Endowment to support future center programming and operations. An additional $30,000 will create a new lecture series — Charlie’s Tech Talks — which will bring distinguished speakers to campus to promote cultural literacy, interest in Asian affairs and vibrant discussions of new technologies.

“Given the nature of UT Dallas and the communities that we serve, it is natural for the center to focus on the societal and cultural impact of technological innovation,” said Dr. Dennis Kratz, director of the Center for Asian Studies. “The importance of nurturing knowledge of, and productive engagement with, Asia — our center’s mission — is self-evident. We are committed to making UT Dallas an exemplar of global understanding.”

The Chens, born in Taiwan, moved to the United States in the 1980s. They have spent 30 years growing their Richardson-based company, DFW Technology, which provides information technology services to industry-leading companies like Texas Instruments, Verizon, T-Mobile and Qualcomm, as well as municipal clients such as Dallas County and Parkland Hospital. Along the way, the Chens became an integral part of Richardson’s economic development efforts, seeking to improve the community.

“This is our home, and everything is connected: the people, businesses, educational institutions.”Charlie Chen

In 2015, Charlie became the first Asian American to chair the Richardson Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors, focused on strengthening international partnerships and driving entrepreneurial innovation. He led members trips to Asia, visiting science parks in Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong while advocating for the creation of similar infrastructure in Texas. These early conversations led to the development of the Richardson Innovation Quarter, now home to 19,000 workers and over 1,000 businesses, including several UTD laboratories. In 2019, Charlie was named the Richardson Citizen of the Year.

The couple’s active investment in the local community led to their introduction to UT Dallas, where longtime relationships with faculty and leadership have extended the impact of their passion for technology and cross-cultural exchange. Charlie first met Dr. Hasan Pirkul, dean of the Naveen Jindal School of Management, while working with the Richardson Chamber of Commerce in 2015. The Chens later gifted the University a 38-foot reproduction of a famous Chinese handscroll, Spring Festival Along the River, which is displayed on the first floor of the Jindal School.

A few years later, the couple also became close with Kratz and his wife, Dr. Abby Kratz, former associate provost at UTD. At the time, Dennis Kratz was dean of the School of Arts and Humanities and led UT Dallas’ Confucius Institute. When the University sought to revamp academic programming related to Asian languages, history and art in 2019, Charlie helped envision the institute that would become the Center for Asian Studies.

The Chens see their gift as a way to support more than just students and faculty.

“We think this University can extend its impact off campus,” Charlie said. It can be a promoter of policies and resources throughout the state to help people learn about Asian countries and cultures.”

The Chens say that now more than ever it is important to support efforts connecting people from different backgrounds.

“In today’s interconnected world, international programs play a pivotal role in cultivating universal coexistence,” Pauline said. “By fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration, they drive innovative solutions to common challenges. These programs serve as crucial agents in fostering a sense of unity and harmony among humanity.”

This article has been taken from the UTD Center of Asian Studies website