Lina Hu
Founder, Chairman & CEO

“Without the dedication and support of our customers, we don’t have a business. And without our employees’ passion, loyalty and the care they put into serving our customers, we don’t have a business. Our employees have helped us realize our goals and allowed us to deliver on our unwavering commitment to bring our customers the most innovative and highest quality products at the lowest possible price. Our employees combined with our customers are the driving force of our business and the reason we continue to succeed.”

Nineteen years ago, Lina came to the United States with a dream to create a better life for herself. She felt that by living in the U.S. her chance for success would be up to her. With little knowledge of the English language or American culture, Lina enrolled in English classes and researched continuously to gain a greater perspective about the needs of the foodservice and uniform industry and was determined to start a company that would become one of the largest foodservice and uniform industry’s top suppliers.

“If I try, I will have a 50% chance of success, but if I don’t try, I will have a 100% chance of failure. What I have learned is that if you have a goal and believe in yourself and are passionate, persistent, dedicated, and committed, you can achieve anything and you will be successful.”

Lina’s goal is to provide the best quality available to exceed customer expectations while employing a price strategy that ensures material cost savings without compromising quality of service. She believes she must provide added value for her customers in order to maintain a competitive edge. Lina partners with her customers through the design, development manufacturing and distribution of new and improved product ideas. When asked how Lina has brought Clipper Corporation from a small start-up company to where it is today she attributes it to four things; dedication, commitment, knowledge and delivery. "What I enjoy most is the feeling I get when I go to a restaurant and see that the products they’re using to help them carry out their jobs better are made by Clipper. It makes me very proud that Clipper has contributed to their success.”

While living in China, Lina obtained both an undergraduate degree in Statistics and a Masters Degree in Business. She currently sits on the esteemed Board of Trustees at Hampton University. She was once chosen as a “Finalist” for the prestigious Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award for the greater Los Angeles area which recognizes outstanding men and women whose accomplishments have benefited not only themselves, but their employees, the economy and the Los Angeles community. She is also the proud recipient of the prestigious “Ernest Royal Pioneer Award” awarded by the Multi-Cultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance which is presented to individuals who best exemplify Ernie Royal’s pioneering spirit and commitment to leadership in supporting diversity, mentoring and providing career opportunities in the foodservice industry.

Lina resides in Manhattan Beach, California and along with snowboarding, enjoys traveling the world.