Matt Fong | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 30thTreasurer of California | |||||||||||
| In office January 2, 1995 (1995-01-02) – January 4, 1999 (1999-01-04) | |||||||||||
| Governor | Pete Wilson | ||||||||||
| Preceded by | Kathleen Brown | ||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Phil Angelides | ||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||
| Born | Matthew Kipling Fong (1953-11-20)November 20, 1953 Alameda, California, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Died | June 1, 2011(2011-06-01) (aged 57) Pasadena, California, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Resting place | United States Air Force Academy Cemetery | ||||||||||
| Political party | Republican | ||||||||||
| Spouse | Paula Fong | ||||||||||
| Children | 2 | ||||||||||
| Education | United States Air Force Academy(BS) Pepperdine University(MBA) Southwestern Law School(JD) | ||||||||||
| Military service | |||||||||||
| Allegiance |  United States | ||||||||||
| Branch/service |  United States Air Force | ||||||||||
| Years of service | 1975–1990 | ||||||||||
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel | ||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 鄺傑靈 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 邝杰灵 | ||||||||||
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Matthew Kipling Fong (November 20, 1953 – June 1, 2011)[1] was an AmericanRepublican politician who served as the 30thCalifornia State Treasurer. He was a government appointee, finance industry director, and consultant after retiring from theAir Force Reserve. As of 2025, Fong is the last Republican to serve as California State Treasurer to date.
Fong was born inAlameda, California. He was the adopted son ofMarch Fong Eu, aDemocrat who served as the 25thCalifornia Secretary of State.[2][1] He graduated fromSkyline High School, and went on to earn aBachelor of Science degree at theUnited States Air Force Academy in 1975.
In 1982, he received anMBA atPepperdine University, and in 1985 attained hisJ.D. degree at theSouthwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles.[2][1]
Fong retired from hisAir Force Reserve assignment atThe Pentagon, serving as an adviser to theU.S. Secretary of the Air Force on budget and finance[3] with the rank oflieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve.[2][1]
In 1990, Fong unsuccessfully ran forCalifornia State Controller, where he lost to DemocratGray Davis.[4] In 1991, Fong was appointed to theState Board of Equalization byGovernorPete Wilson.[2] Fong would serve as Vice Chairman of the board from 1991 to 1994.[5]
In 1994, Fong ran to succeedKathleen Brown asState Treasurer. Fong defeated DemocratPhil Angelides to secure a four-year term beginning in January 1995.[2][1]
In the1998 U.S. Senate election, he unsuccessfully challenged incumbent CaliforniaSenatorBarbara Boxer.[2][1] Fong earned endorsements from national Republican leaders, includingSenate Majority LeaderTrent Lott andHouse SpeakerNewt Gingrich.[6]
He was president of the Strategic Advisory Group, providing counsel toCEOs and senior executives on strategy and business development. He was also Special Counsel to the law firm of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton.[2] Fong heldSeries 7 and63 securities licenses and was a principal of Belstar Group, a New York-basedasset manager.[3]
Fong was an independent director ofTCW Group's complex ofmutual funds. He also served on two technology start-up companies' boards of directors—one dealing with earthquake detection devices (Seismic Warning Systems) and the other involved with energy-saving devices (American Grid).[3]
U.S. PresidentGeorge W. Bush appointed Fong chairman of thePension Benefit Guaranty Corporation Advisory Board.[2] Fong also served as aRegent ofPepperdine University[1] and a Trustee ofSouthwestern University School of Law.[3]
Fong lived inPasadena, California with his wife, Paula, with whom he had two children: Matthew II and Jade. Fong died of cancer in his Pasadena home on June 1, 2011. He was buried at theUnited States Air Force Academy Cemetery inColorado Springs, Colorado. At the time of his death he was survived by his mother, his wife, and children.[2][1]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Republican nominee forController of California 1990 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Republican nominee forTreasurer of California 1994 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Republican nominee for U.S. SenatorfromCalifornia (Class 3) 1998 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Treasurer of California January 2, 1995 – January 4, 1999 | Succeeded by |
