Ace Watanasuparp

CEO of Chace Restaurant Group Hospitality

Industry : Business

A native New Yorker of Thai and Taiwanese ancestry, Ace is a powerhouse in the finance industry. A graduate of NYU Law School, he became the sixth-highest producer in the US as a loan officer at Citibank in his first year and was headhunted by top financial institutes. Later, he became the president of DE Capital, overseeing multiple states, including New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. At Citizens Bank, he was the Senior Vice President and Director of the Home Mortgage Division, breaking down barriers by expanding into new markets and capturing unprecedented market share despite the challenges of the global pandemic. His success may have come from a team mentality—he was the first Asian-American to become a ''walk-on'' in the University of Connecticut’s men’s basketball team. He has applied his Asian-American identity to his restaurant ventures—he owns Spot Dessert Bar, Scoop by Spot, Obao Noodles & BBQ, and Gai Chicken and Rice. He is also a partner at Cliffco Mortgage Bankers. His Asian heritage is a challenge he has had to overcome at times to reach the top in business.