From the son of a single mother to a tech professional, entrepreneur, Ironman triathlete, and Elected Official, William Go’s journey is proof that resilience, when matched with purpose, can lead to something remarkable.
In 2024, William Go made history as the first Chinese Filipino American elected to the Irvine City Council, representing the newly created District 2. But behind the title is a powerful immigrant story marked by hardship, perseverance, and a deep desire to give back.
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Growing Up Different
Born in the Philippines, Go immigrated to the United States as a child with his mother and four siblings.“As a young child, you just assume everything is normal,”he said. “Growing up with a single parent, I didn’t know any different—until I saw what a two-parent household looked like.”
The absence of a father figure meant taking on responsibilities early. “Without two parents, there's less time and a lot less parenting,” he explained. “You’ve got to learn better self-management.“It was harder, but let me learn faster.”
More than anything, Go remembers his mother’s unwavering strength. “She worked 15, 16 hours a day. We could see her effort, and it made us want to work harder—not to let her down.”
Language, Discrimination, and Adaptation
Arriving in the U.S. at the age of nine or ten, Go spoke very little English. He was placed in ESL classes and quickly realized how different he was from his classmates.
Go remembered,“You’re separated, you feel isolated. Kids would make fun of my eyes, call me “slurs”.They didn’t know the difference between Chinese, Japanese, Filipino—they just knew I was different.”
Rather than let the bullying break him, Go pushed forward. “It was a fight-or-flight instinct. I knew I had to adapt quickly.” He turned to math as his refuge : “Math is a universal language. I didn’t need English to excel in it.”
The support of teachers in the ESL program, combined with the need to survive, helped Go quickly catch up in school. “That handicap actually made me a better person. It forced me to learn faster.”
Education as a Stepping Stone
Go became the first in his family to graduate from college, earning a degree in computer engineering from UC Irvine. “I liked math and science, and computers were the future. So I chose something practical that could lead to a job.”Go recalled.
After graduating, Go joined Broadcom and spent ten years there. “That made my mom really proud,” he said with a smile. But Go wasn’t satisfied with being just an engineer.
“I wanted to understand the business side too—how products, technology, and companies work together.” He returned to UC Irvine for an MBA. “Having both engineering and business backgrounds gave me a more complete understanding. It helped Go see the bigger picture.
From Tech to Real Estate
Go’s career took a sharp turn in 2009 during the housing market crash. He had some real estate, and the value dropped tremendously. But instead of giving up, Go saw an opportunity.
He teamed up with friends and began purchasing foreclosed properties. “We used our engineering mindset—processing data, analyzing spreadsheets, running numbers. We bought homes that had been a million dollars for “much less,”Go recalled.
Many investors were fleeing the market, but Go remained confident. “When a house costs $400,000 to build and it’s selling for $300,000, that’s intrinsic value. We knew the market would turn around.”
Over time, this strategy led to the creation of a real estate and hospitality business with over 30 locations nationwide. “It started as survival,” Go said. “But it became something much bigger.”
Pushing Physical and Mental Limits
Go’s commitment to endurance doesn’t stop at business. He is also an Ironman triathlete. “I started doing marathons in 2004, then triathlons in 2006. I love the mental and physical challenge,”Go said.
He recently completed a half-marathon in Orange County in just under two hours. “Endurance racing teaches you who you are. It’s not about talent—it’s about hard work and mental toughness. That mindset carries over into everything else in life.”
Today, Go hopes to inspire others to prioritize health and wellness. “Not everyone has to do an Ironman. But if I can encourage someone to train for a 5K, that’s a win. It’s about progress.”
Why He Ran for Office
William Go’s involvement in civic affairs began with the Great Park Task Force. “We lived there and wanted to be involved in shaping the community. That experience opened my eyes to what the city needed.”
His background in real estate and city planning gave him a unique advantage. “I understood the issues. So running for council felt like the right next step.
William Go said : The campaign experience was humbling. “You won’t get 100% of the votes, and that’s okay. What matters is listening—to everyone. Even to those who disagree with you.”
He also hopes his role will encourage more Asian Americans to become civically engaged. “We don’t just need more voters. We need more informed voters. It’s not about one vote—it’s about building the habit of participation and critical thinking.”Go explained.
Representation and Cultural Understanding
As the first Chinese Filipino American on the Council, Go is proud to represent Irvine’s diversity.
“People often lump Asian cultures together, but there’s so much variety—Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese. We need to celebrate all of it.” Go said.
He praised cultural institutions like the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center for helping to foster understanding. “Education is key to fighting racism and discrimination. The more people learn, the more accepting they become.”
A Message for the Next Generation
When asked what advice he would give to young people uncertain about their future, Go was clear : “Find something you’re passionate about, and use that passion to solve problems and help others.”
Why does helping others matter? “Because even if you have all the resources in the world, if you’re alone, you’ll feel empty. We’re meant to serve each other. That’s where true satisfaction comes from,”Go said.
Go believes this philosophy applies not just to public service, but to business too. “You get paid because you solve a problem. When you make someone else’s life easier, that’s real value.”
Looking Forward
Today, Go balances his role as a councilmember, entrepreneur, and family man. His top policy priorities include housing affordability, transportation, and building out the Great Park.
William Go emphasized that “Irvine is becoming increasingly popular every year. We’ve been recognized as the safest city in America, one of the happiest cities, one of the best cities to raise a family in, and more.
Therefore, more people are coming to Irvine because of how great of a city it is, and we need to make sure we grow sustainably.”
William Go - Councilmember of Irvine
William Go is the first Chinese Filipino American elected to the Irvine City Council, representing District 2 and the Great Park Neighborhood, where he and his wife Jennifer have lived for over 20 years.
An immigrant raised by a single mother, William worked his way from ESL classes to earning degrees in computer engineering and business from UC Irvine. After a decade at Broadcom, he built a successful real estate and hospitality business.
Dedicated to community service, he has served on the Great Park Development Task Force and the Irvine Transportation Commission. A triathlete and Full Ironman finisher, he also volunteers as a swim coach and lifeguard, and supports UCI’s Bike Ambassador program.
William is passionate about sustainable growth, active living, and creating a more inclusive Irvine.