mr. John Lam

In 1972, John Lam, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Lam Group, began building his business in the garment industry, and through his hard work and vision, he became the largest garment manufacturer in New York City, operating thirteen garment factories and producing nine clothing brands. Mr. Lam’s garment business created more than 3,000 jobs for New Yorkers and generated substantial income and revenue within the garment sector.

Applying the lessons of his success in the garment industry, Mr. Lam subsequently endeavored into the real estate business, and has since become a prominent name in this arena. The Lam Group is a privately-held, comprehensive real estate investment firm experienced in the acquisition, development, and management of various hotel, residential, office, and mixed-use properties primarily in the New York City area.  With over 20 years of real estate investment experience, the firm has acquired and developed more than 50 properties.  Led by John Lam, who understands that opportunities are made, not found, the Lam Group has built its reputation on the transformation of over 3 million square feet of underutilized properties into highly-desirable assets. Since 1997, the Lam Group has been expanding its real estate investment into the hospitality sector. Now, with over 25 hotels developed from the ground up, 13 in its current portfolio, and 4 in progress, the Lam Group is recognized as a premier developer of branded hotel properties in New York City.

Over the years, various organizations have awarded and recognized the accomplishments of Mr. Lam and the Lam Group.  In 1990, Mr. Lam was named an All-Star by Crain's New York Business Magazine.  In 1997, he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award.  In 2006, Mr. Lam received the Man of the Year Award presented by the Chinese-American Planning Council for his grassroots social service for his community.  In 2009, he was honored as one of the Ten Outstanding Chinese Most Influential Entrepreneurs of 2009 by the China International Economic Cooperation Society of Ministry of Commerce.  In 2012, the Lam Group was named Developer of the Year for Select Service Hotels by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, which also deemed its Aloft Brooklyn as the Best New Built Select Service Hotel of the Year.  In the same year, InterContinental Hotels Group also named Lam Group Developer of the Year for Upscale Hotel for the Indigo Brooklyn.  In 2014, Mr. Lam and the Lam Group were honored with the Top 10 Asian American Business Award by US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce - Northeast Chapter (USPAACC).  In 2015, Mr. Lam received the Career Builder Award by US CMP (Career. Mobility. Partnership), the Outstanding Chinese Award by the Ming Pao Daily News for his leadership and influence among Asian Americans, the Golden Horse Award of China Hotels, and was named Developer of the Year from Marriott for the Renaissance Brand.

Mr. Lam serves on the Board of Directors of East Bank and sits as the Honorary President of Greater Blouse Skirt & Undergarment Association, which represents roughly 35,000 workers, he is a Board Member of the New York City College of Technology Foundation, a member of the 9th Overseas Committee of the Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, is the Founder and Chairman of the China-US Hotel General Chamber of Commerce, and serves as the vice president of the US-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.