BING GOEI is recognized as one of west Michigan’s most respected business leaders.

Jakarta Indonesia is half way around the world from Grand Rapids Michigan, but these two cities are central to the story of Bing Goei. Fifty years after the ten year old and his family made the long trip to their new home in Grand Rapids, Goei is recognized as one of west Michigan’s most respected business leaders. As President and CEO of Eastern Floral, Goei has built his business into one of the most popular and successful flower and gift shops in the region.

As a boy, Goei was thrilled about moving to America - the land of the cowboys he watched on TV, and one of the most popular places in the world. "I had heard the stories and had a vision of the U.S. as a large wealthy country with many opportunities," explains Goei. "It was very exciting to me."

Goei is grateful to the city that welcomed him and gave him the opportunity to prosper, and he has found many ways to pay down that debt. In 2006-2007, Goei was elected Chair of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. Some of the prominent boards Goei has served on or is an active member includes the Grand Rapids Civil Service Commission, the Diversity Advisory Council of Leadership West Michigan, the Grand Rapids Community Relations Commission, the Grand Rapids Economic Club, and the Michigan Florist Association.

The Fuller Avenue Christian Reformed Church sponsored Goei’s family in their journey from Jakarta to Michigan, and Goei retains his deep faith and connection to the Christian Reformed Church. Since 1963, Goei has been a member of the East Leonard CRC, and he served as Executive Director of the CRC Synodical Committee on Race Relations in North America from 1986 to 1993.

Throughout his career, Goei has earned a number of awards, including his selection as Michigan Floral Association Retailer of the Year for 2008; Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for West Michigan, Retail Division, in 2005; and he was recently named to the Junior Achievement West Michigan Business Hall of Fame. Every year between 2002 and 2007, Goei made the Top 50 Teleflora Florists in U.S. And Canada, and has recieved many "Best Florist" awards from various trade and business publications.

Goei and his wife Jean have 5 children and 6 grandchildren.

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