Name /Nickname: No nickname, only George.
Current position and company: Executive Director and co-founder of Sports Engineering And Recreation Asia Ltd.
What is your company involved in, and how long has it been in existence? Sports Engineering And Recreation Asia Ltd (Seara) specializes in the planning, supply, and installation of quality health, sports, and recreation facilities in hospitality, real estate, educational, government, corporate, and consumer markets.
Seara was formed in 1999 in Bangkok and today has eleven offices and ten retail showrooms in seven countries in Indo-China and East Asia as well as five branches in Thailand. The company has four divisions: Commercial Fitness, Consumer or retail fitness, Sports Construction, and Customer Service.
Current position and company: Executive Director and co-founder of Sports Engineering And Recreation Asia Ltd.
What is your company involved in, and how long has it been in existence? Sports Engineering And Recreation Asia Ltd (Seara) specializes in the planning, supply, and installation of quality health, sports, and recreation facilities in hospitality, real estate, educational, government, corporate, and consumer markets.
Seara was formed in 1999 in Bangkok and today has eleven offices and ten retail showrooms in seven countries in Indo-China and East Asia as well as five branches in Thailand. The company has four divisions: Commercial Fitness, Consumer or retail fitness, Sports Construction, and Customer Service.
 | Where do you live? Bangkok Thailand and Bang Saray, south of Pattaya. Born: 17 July 1948, USA Family: I have three brothers living in the USA. Education: Graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the Thunderbird School of Global Ma First job: Following grad school my first job was with the International Division of Clark Equipment Company. How long in Thailand: I came to Asia 1986 where I worked for an Australian construction equipment distribution and leasing company in Singapore and Kula Lumpur. In 1988 I decided to go into consumer marketing and joined Club Corporation of Asia, developing city clubs, city athletic clubs, and golf properties. In 1991 I opened a regional office in Bangkok for Club Corp. In 1988 during the Asian financial crises I took a Director of Marketing position at the huge Sutera Harbor golf and Marina, and sports club development in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah East Malaysia. In late 1999 my partners Patrick Dean and Kenneth Stevens formed Sports Engineering And Recreation Asia Ltd. Rather than harvest dividends or pay large bonuses once we realized that the business model could succeed we set our operating plan at becoming a regional company headquartered in Bangkok. This month, December 2021, we will move into our new purpose built headquarters facility featuring a new home fitness concept store. When was the last time you visited the US or travelled outside Thailand? I have not visited the USA or travelled outside of Thailand since September 2019. |
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"High points in my life – buying my first boat and buying my second boat" |
Best job you’ve ever had? Working and shaping the development of Seara.
Low and high points of your life? Lowest - probably my divorce just prior to taking my first job in Asia. The high points in my life are 1. Buying my first sailboat and 2. buying my second sailboat. Favorite points of discussion? Politics, sailing, wine, and architecture. Strange that women are not in there anymore! As an overseas American, how do you stay in touch with the news and politics back in the US? I stay in touch on line so I can choose the medium. |
Which US media do you ignore, and why?
I am not much interested in the mass media which suddenly lost their objectivity and honesty following the election of Donald trump.
Any thoughts on the current USA administration: Let’s go Brandon.”
Do you think the US is doing a job in SE Asia and its relations with China? I studied foreign policy at Notre Dame. I feel that the US political culture is in such a state of disarray that it no longer has a regional strategy toward S.E. Asia.
How do you see Thailand’s recovery post-Covid with regard to business and tourism? As a guest in my home country of Thailand I hope the political culture opens up for more participation from the people and all have equal opportunities for success. Economic optimism will take care of the economy and hopefully avoid oligarchy.
Most memorable person you’ve met? Father Theodore Hesburgh, President University of Notre Dame.
Person you wish you had never met? The person who convinced us to invest in a club in Bangkok. I would have a bigger boat.
How do you relax / exercise? I relax sailing or wine dinners with friends. I try to get into the gym at home for exercise mostly cardio.
Favorite bars and restaurants? Covid has been going on so long I don’t even think about going to bars. As for favorite restaurants in Bangkok: Bourbon Street, No idea, La Bottega di Luca, Davino, Gianni’s. In Bang Saray: Bang Saray Beach Club, Pebbles Bar & Grill at the Renaissance Jomtien, T55 New York Grill at the Movenpick, Jomtien, and Relax Bang Saray.
Favorite cuisine: Thai and Italian
Favorite getaway: Sailing to Koh Kood
Favorite countries: Aside from Thailand, I still have an affinity for Malaysia.
If you were Governor of Bangkok, what changes would you make? Ban loud motor bikes and smoky vehicles.
Retire here or the USA? I can’t extricate from the responsibilities here, so Thailand
What’s next? Try to sail more, relinquish business activities.
I am not much interested in the mass media which suddenly lost their objectivity and honesty following the election of Donald trump.
Any thoughts on the current USA administration: Let’s go Brandon.”
Do you think the US is doing a job in SE Asia and its relations with China? I studied foreign policy at Notre Dame. I feel that the US political culture is in such a state of disarray that it no longer has a regional strategy toward S.E. Asia.
How do you see Thailand’s recovery post-Covid with regard to business and tourism? As a guest in my home country of Thailand I hope the political culture opens up for more participation from the people and all have equal opportunities for success. Economic optimism will take care of the economy and hopefully avoid oligarchy.
Most memorable person you’ve met? Father Theodore Hesburgh, President University of Notre Dame.
Person you wish you had never met? The person who convinced us to invest in a club in Bangkok. I would have a bigger boat.
How do you relax / exercise? I relax sailing or wine dinners with friends. I try to get into the gym at home for exercise mostly cardio.
Favorite bars and restaurants? Covid has been going on so long I don’t even think about going to bars. As for favorite restaurants in Bangkok: Bourbon Street, No idea, La Bottega di Luca, Davino, Gianni’s. In Bang Saray: Bang Saray Beach Club, Pebbles Bar & Grill at the Renaissance Jomtien, T55 New York Grill at the Movenpick, Jomtien, and Relax Bang Saray.
Favorite cuisine: Thai and Italian
Favorite getaway: Sailing to Koh Kood
Favorite countries: Aside from Thailand, I still have an affinity for Malaysia.
If you were Governor of Bangkok, what changes would you make? Ban loud motor bikes and smoky vehicles.
Retire here or the USA? I can’t extricate from the responsibilities here, so Thailand
What’s next? Try to sail more, relinquish business activities.
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