A southern Illinois businessman and restaurateur was honored Wednesday during a celebration to highlight the achievements of community leaders during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
William Lo currently serves as the Executive Director of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce. He is also the General Manager of New Kahala, and President of Southern Illinois Collaborative Kitchen, a not-for-profit he helped found to address food insecurity.
Lo received the Outstanding Service in Leadership award.
"I think it's important for business leaders in your community to foster the youth who will be our leaders down the road. It's important we start them learning, teach them a good work ethic and then teach them how to be good community members. I tell everybody, 'you can either sit around and complain about the town, the city you live in or you can pitch in and you can help.' I think that's what we're doing."
Lo and his wife, Keesha, started the Southern Illinois Eats Facebook page with the goal of taking his knowledge of the restaurant industry and using it to promote other locally owned restaurants.
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs hosted the celebration that honored ten people for their contributions to their communities.
