The Expedition
The Dream and The Flight:
The first round-the-world flight in a single engine airplane took place in 1919. There have been people from 28 countries who have successfully achieved the challenge.
There has never been a Chinese Citizen to attempt this challenge.
In 2009, Wei Chen, a Chinese citizen living in the United States, announced he should be the person to fulfill this mission. Wei, an Adventurer and a Chinese pioneer; will attempt to fly his plane around-the-world.
On May 22, 2011….a ten-week journey around the world in a single engine plane begins. Wei Chen, a private Chinese Citizen will be at the controls.
21 Countries, 40+ cities, 69 Days
The Pilot
Wei Chen
Wei Chen was born in Changsha City, Hunan province of People’s Republic of China in 1971. After coming to the United States, he earned his MBA from the University of Memphis in 1998. Wei formed Sunshine Enterprise, Inc., a construction material company in Memphis, in 1999. Wei Chen has grown the company from one man operation to 400 employees in less than 10 years. His successful business venture now has two manufacturing facilities in China and four US branch offices. Sunshine Enterprises, was named one of the fastest growing companies in the US in 2008 by Inc. Magazine. Wei Chen was named “Top Executive of the Year” by Business Tennessee magazine in 2006 and “Executive of the Year” by Memphis Business Journal in 2007. He has also won numerous awards in Memphis and Tennessee for his outstanding leadership in his company.
Wei Chen is a member at Young Presidents Organization and Economic Club of Memphis. He serves as Advisory Board member for Fogelman College of Business and Economics, Metropolitan Bank, and the Memphis In May organizing committee. He was also a member of the transition team and later the advising group for Memphis Mayor A.C. Wharton.
In addition to donating his time and resources by giving back to the community, he established a Sunshine Enterprise Scholarship Fund for the International MBA program at Fogelman College of Business and Economics at the University of Memphis in 2009. Wei currently serves on several non-profit organizations boards including; International MBA Club at the University of Memphis, University of Memphis Alumni Association, Leadership Academy, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and Greater Memphis United Chinese Association.
Wei is married with three children. His hobbies include aviation and golf. Wei inspires others to be not good but great.
The Cause
Help Wei Chen raise $250,000 for the children of St. Jude.
*Disclaimer: The Hope Around the World event benefits St. Jude Children's Research. All Donations made on this page or during the Hope Around the World event go directly to Support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Wei Chen's flight around the world and other related activities from this trip are private endeavors and are not endorsed by St.Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Wei Chen's journey around the world starts in Memphis, TN which is home to one of the world's premier pediatric cancer centers, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He is proud to support St. Jude and you can join him to support St. Jude by visiting www.stjude.org/weichen.
