Tony Nguyen
Senior Graphic Designer
If you could fly a giant banner with a message to America, what would you say? Well if one Miko Group, Inc. member had his chance at it, “Patience, Persistence, Pursue” is what you’d read across the sky. Welcome to the inspired mind of the Miko family’s Senior Graphic Designer, Mr. Tony Nguyen.
“The three ‘Ps’ - they are my motto words and steps toward getting what you want out of life,” says Nguyen.
In exhibiting and applying his own motivational advice, the 2005 University of Oklahoma Visual Communications graduate has, by many outside opinions, succeeded just fine. One of eight children, Tony was born and raised in Oklahoma City, OK, dedicating himself to rigorous academic standards and taking advantage of the creative talents which have served to carve out his unique niche at Miko over the past four years.
As IT Supervisor Kevin Nguyen points out, “Tony brings a lot to the table here at Miko. This is where his imagination and ideas come out. We’ve all seen the great things he’s designed for our customers and at the 2008 Reading Institute in Nashville he designed all visual communications and the overall theme as well. Tony won for best theme and design for a Nashville event, an achievement that positively impacted others and gave him the spotlight by bringing Miko into the spotlight as well.”
Indeed Tony’s far-ranging creative talents have made him an invaluable addition to the Miko team. But they also lend themselves to a perspective, appreciation and respect for the rest of the world others fail to stop and notice. Intrigued by new discovery and calculated risk, he marvels at the intrigue of the marine world, considers skydiving as a means to try something daring and remarks with confidence when asked who his movie action hero alter ego would be. His reply is an answer befitting his imaginative nature:
“Neo of the Matrix series,” he says. “He sees out and discovers new abilities and tests his limits, becoming a hero for others by leading the way”.
Maybe that’s why Napoleon Bonaparte and Martin Luther King Jr. are two historical figures he’d sit down and have a chat with if he had the chance. Napoleon he respects for his accomplishments in exploring new worlds, and King for championing equality.
“I’d like to tell Martin Luther King what a lasting impact he has made in the world – spreading the message of togetherness and unity, says Tony. “I admire Dr. King greatly; he was someone I studied heavily in grade school and I was always in awe of his vision and actions in getting his message across. We also share a birthday, so that would be a celebration for the ages,” he adds.
Aside from testing boundaries (if had a superpower he’d be flying to “escape the rigors of reality”) and taking risks (he’d actually consider having a pet lion) there’s still a responsible, grounded side to this “graphic guru”. Stemming from his global interest in discovery, which includes desires to visit Italy, catch a Wimbledon tennis event and discover his heritage in Vietnam, Nguyen also understands what it means to give back and share with his community, family and anyone else he encounters – something Miko also values.
“I admire his work ethic. He puts time, thought and effort into his work and does 110% on everything he produces. And he applies the same attitude toward his family and friends. Tony is an outgoing, caring and honest person – someone you can always rely on in time of need,” regards coworker Kevin Nguyen.
Miko Event Manager Renae Carmack has known Tony since he first joined the team and speaks of Tony as a kind, respectful and dedicated coworker who truly is a man of his word.
“For Miko, Tony’s greatest impact is his talent and a commitment to co-workers and this company. He’s kind, funny and thoughtful, and tries to be positive in all things he does. Even when he’s frustrated, he works through his frustration quickly,” shares Carmack. “He reminds me of Forrest Gump, but only because of the kindness he exhibits and his belief that people are basically ‘good’.”
This kindness resonates beyond the office as well. Leading the way to get others involved, in June of 2009 Tony Nguyen brought together members of the Miko family to participate in Autism Speaks’ Walk Now for Autism event, part of a nationwide fundraising campaign sponsored by the national non-profit organization. Maintaining strong ties to his family, Tony was motivated to get involved with the campaign after his nephew was diagnosed. As a result of his efforts and dedication, Miko members stepped in to help raise money and rally efforts in support of the cause.
“I think it’s important to get others involved and do these types of things because it promotes awareness and opens the eyes of others. Some people want to help, they just need to know how they can,” adds Tony.
Given this insight, it certainly seems Tony would step up for anyone who called upon him if given the opportunity. So when asked which country of the world he would most like to “adopt” if he had the chance, rather than mention some of the richest or most beautiful in the world, he recalled the western Sudan region of Darfur.
“It’s a really poor country and I would do what I could to donate food, time and money,” said Tony.
And if his reflections are any indication, one thing is for certain: he’s no slouch. In fact if Tony were able to spend 100% of his time helping others in need, he says he’d be “a Big Brother.” “By sharing time with kids and getting out there and being active I feel I’d play a big role. You can’t buy time,” adds Tony. “If I died tomorrow, I think my greatest accomplishment to date would be fulfilling my role as a caring uncle by just spending time with my nieces and nephews.”
Such is the type of global thinking his Miko peers feel he brings to the table every day: a tendency toward self-improvement while motivating those around him as well.
“I think the number one pestilence plaguing mankind today is a lack of self-responsibility. When people don’t take themselves into account it leads to placing the blame on someone else, which doesn’t solve anything and makes matters worse,” Tony remarks. “Members of society need to take a look in the mirror and evaluate themselves before judging or making regrettable comments toward others.”
It’s yet another life lesson from this Miko “master guru” of visual communication. And when he’s not rolling around pearls of wisdom, or snacking on Lasagna and Cheetoes with Vitamin Water, you might find him relaxing to some favorite R&B music or watching his OU Sooners and Philadelphia Eagles tear it up on the gridiron. He’s passionate about life, can’t live without his iPhone and sometimes wishes he could still party like he was 16. Oh and if he could meet the president, he’d ask him, “Do you have any room on Air Force One?”
It’s all in a creative day’s work for Senior Graphic Designer, Mr. Tony Nguyen. And the Miko workplace is where he is content to call home.
“My favorite thing about Miko has always been the family atmosphere. It’s a unique, special place to work which values involvement in a lot of philanthropy activities,” says Tony.