2025 GAACC Business Awards Presented at Ovation Gala
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUSTIN, Texas – November 17, 2025 The Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce (GAACC) presented the 2025 GAACC Business Awards to eight area businesses and individuals at the organization’s annual Ovation Gala, held at the Hyatt Regency Austin on November 15th. These prestigious recognitions are awarded annually to Asian-owned, Asian-led, or Asian-oriented businesses or organizations and individuals who embody forward-looking growth and prosperity among Greater Austin’s Asian and Asian-American communities.
Nominations were submitted by the GAACC community between July 26th and August 19th, 2025 for recognitions presented in the Business Awards’ four established categories, along with the inaugural Hospitality & Culture Award.
For the first time among GAACC Business Awards, the winner of the new Hospitality & Culture Award was selected via a community vote. The voting period ran from October 15th to October 29th, 2025, generating nearly 300 submissions among eight nominees.
The winners of the Community Organization/Leader of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Emerging Business of the Year, and Business of the Year awards were selected by members of the GAACC’s Ovation Gala Planning Committee and Board of Directors.
The winners of the 2024 GAACC Business Awards are:
- 2025 Community Organization of the Year – Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI)
- 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year – Cristina Imperial Carl
- 2025 Hospitality & Culture Award – Joi Conti Photography, LLC / TAYO NA
- 2025 Emerging Business of the Year – Town Square North West Austin
- 2025 Business of the Year – Firefly Aerospace
The recipient of the 2025 GAACC Excellence Award is Anh Selissen, Chief Information Officer for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). This award signifies excellence in business, community engagement, and cultural visibility. The winner is selected by the Ovation Gala Planning Committee. Selissen also delivered the Ovation Gala keynote address, speaking on her experiences coming to the United States during childhood as a refugee from the Vietnam War and now leading one of the world’s largest and most complex transportation networks.
AAPI community leader and MagRabbit Founder & CEO Thanh “Tommy” Hodinh was presented with a GAACC Community Impact Award by Board Chair Minh Tran, recognizing Hodinh for his decades of community service and leadership across Central Texas. A second GAACC Community Impact Award was presented to GAACC Past Chair and SOAL Solutions President & CEO Ahmed Moledina in recognition of his years of leadership and service to the GAACC and the wider APPI community in Greater Austin.
The annual GAACC Ovation Gala celebrates Asian-Pacific American accomplishments across Central Texas. This year’s Ovation Gala was co-emceed by Jenni Lee and Jessica Cha from KVUE News and included performances by Sangat Singh, Nagavalli, Sway With Pray, ATX KDC Dance Crew, Mahi Dance, and DJ Alireza, For more information about Ovation 2025 – Illuminate The Night, visit www.ovationgala.org.
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About the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce (GAACC) engages with members of the Central Texas business community, with governmental entities, and with nonprofit organizations to help drive local economic growth for businesses with ties to or allyship with Asia and Asian Americans. GAACC works to develop Austin’s global business connectivity while promoting regional economic equity for all. To learn more, visit www.austinasianchamber.org.
Media Contact
Erich Pelletier
Communication & Marketing Manager
Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce
erichpelletier@austinasianchamber.org