Week 3 – Spotlighting Frost Employees
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May)

Born in D a Nang, Vietnam, Mimi Tran practiced Vietnamese culture with her mom, dad, and younger brother. Her mother handmade all the belongings for their family, such as backpacks and clothes, while her father served as a Vietnamese A ir Force Helicopter Pilot. The close-knit family enjoyed their lives in Vietnam and appreciated all they had until April 30, 1975, when their lives completely changed. They had to leave everything behind.

This was the day that five-year old Mimi and her family hectically boarded an airplane, rushing alongside thousands of others, trying to escape to the United States towards the end of the Vietnam War. With the plane at max capacity and no cool air circulating, motion sickness was at its peak for all passengers. Upon landing her mother rushed them to the nearest ocean to wash off the sweat and vomit from their travel. Sadly, they had no time to grab all their belongings before they were rushed to board a second plane that would take them to Florida, so they lost the jewelry that could’ve been sold for food and supplies. Two weeks went by before Mimi and her family were reunited with her father at a refugee camp at Fort Eglin AFB.

Soon after, their family was adopted by a Baptist minister in Florida. Mimi’s father worked hard to make ends meet, working three to four jobs to support his pregnant wife and their two young children. He spent most days delivering newspapers, collecting 80 cents a day. Then one day he met K evin McCade, an Air Force Colonel who’d give him an opportunity to work as a helicopter pilot, and his family felt a sense of hope again. With only days to learn English and to understand how to navigate the controls of an American helicopter, he prepared to take the helicopter pilot’s test. He knew being able to fly again would help him earn what he needed to take care of his family. After studying day and night around his current jobs, he came home after a full day of running a m Morning newspaper route, took the test at 8:30am, and passed with a score of 98%. That night they celebrated together with a box of fried chicken from Popeye’s.

Weeks later, Mimi and her family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, where her father flew helicopters for PHI. Her mother then delivered the newest addition to their family, Mimi’s youngest brother. They named him Kevin to pay homage to the Air Force Colonel who had given their family a second chance at a comfortable life.

Mimi is currently living in the Southlake area. She is a nine-year Frost employee and works in Private Banking, helping clients that need lending, banking or investment guidance. She has t wo children with her husband, Trung Tran, a pediatrician, who is also Vietnamese. As part of their Vietnamese culture, Mimi and her husband wore áo dài, a traditional Vietnamese garment, to their wedding. They continue to speak their native language when they gather for celebrations, such as the yearly ceremony where they pray to their ancestors, thanking them for all their contributions.

In December 2018, Mimi was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to endure several rounds of chemo treatments, bilateral mastectomy, and radiation therapy. After a long, nine-month battle, she was grateful to be cancer-free and wanted to do more for other cancer patients whom she met along her journey. In 2019, she founded Me Squared, a cancer foundation that provides financial assistance to adults with newly diagnosed cancer to help cover medical deductibles for their treatments. In 2021, the foundation gave away $155,000 in assistance, and in 2022, they raised a record breaking $654,000, with 85% of those proceeds earmarked to helping hundreds of people battling cancer.

Week 3 – Spotlighting Frost Employees
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May)

Raised by a Catholic mother and Buddhist father, Mimi believes in Karma and in treating people right. Not only does she prove this in her every day work with Frost, but also in her personal life with the MeSquared Cancer Foundation. Given Mimi’s childhood experiences, she remains grateful for what she has at all times. “Humble beginnings,” says Mimi. “Be appreciative of everything you have because you never know when you’ll lose it all.”