BLANCO COUNTY, Texas — Foremost Group CEO, Harvard graduate and published author Angela Chao was found dead in Central Texas on Sunday.
According to KVUE senior reporter Tony Plohetski and confirmed by KVUE's media partners at the Austin-American Statesman, Chao's vehicle was found in a body of water on private property in Blanco County.
Authorities believe Chao, the sister-in-law of Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, might have drowned, but her official cause of death has yet to be determined by the Blanco County Sheriff's Office. No foul play is suspected.
Chao's background, career
Before entering the workforce, Chao studied at Harvard University's Business School, where she wrote a study called "Ocean Carriers" still used by students today.
Most recently, Chao lived in Austin and worked as CEO of the shipping company Foremost Group, based in New York City, among other organizations. Her husband James is the founder of Breyer Capital and a minority owner of the Boston Celtics.
Chao's sister, Elaine Chao, was married to McConnell and previously worked as secretary of transportation, while her father, Dr. James S.C. Chao, was the original Foremost Group founder.
Foremost Group statement
Following her death, the Foremost Group released a statement that said, in part, "Angela believed that the foundational element of success is the belief that shipping is not an asset finance business but that it's about people. She placed special emphasis on paying attention to the care and well-being of our crews and to everyone onboard and onshore who played a role in performing our services. As a result, her leadership in the shipping industry was widely recognized."
