James & Philip Chiao are twin brothers. They were born in Taiwan to parents who retreated from China with the Nationalists after the Chinese Civil War. Their father was a meteorology officer in Chinese Air Force. During their teen years, there family moved to Africa, where they they attended a Chinese home school for three year in Benghazi, Libya. In late 1960s, they came to Unites States for better education.
James Chiao was an Electrical Engineer by profession. He received a BSEE from University of Washington and a MSEE from CWRU. He had spent 30+ years working in various high-tech companies in the Silicon Valley and retired 5 years ago. He has been active in the non-profit organization Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN), which he co-founded with others in 1996, and has served as its president/Co-president for 5 years. He is currently Co-chairman of FCSN. In 2022, he compiled, edited, and published a book about FCSN. Jim is interested in Chinese American history and is a member of CHCP’s advisory board. In the early 1970s, he worked three summers in Alaska salmon canneries. He and his wife are residents of Fremont, California.
Philip C. Chiao was an Architect by profession. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from University go Washington, and a Master of Architecture degree from University of Illinois. He had worked in various architectural firms and had at times established his own practices. He retired from his profession in 2016. He is a member of the Design Review Committee for the City of Pasadena, and a member of the Board for Prado homeowner association. In the early 1970s, he spent two summers in Alaska as a cannery worker. He and his wife are residents of Pasadena, California. They have a son and daughter and three grandchildren.