(New Ambassador – Meet Bau-Lin Yueh Published 4/29/2026) First Tee – Silicon Valley is excited to welcome our newest Board Ambassador – Bau-Lin Yueh. We asked Bau-Lin a few questions to get to know him.
How would you describe your career?
“I’ve been in the financial services industry for over 20 years, with deep roots in mortgage banking. Transitioning into holistic financial services, I now focus on helping individuals and families with retirement planning, estate planning, and wealth accumulation. My specialty lies in creating tax-free distribution strategies to ensure long-term financial security. One example of this is leveraging our Hybrid Long-term Care to protect your assets and generate tax-free income.”
“Beyond my professional work,” Bau-Lin continued, “I am deeply committed to community service and education, particularly in supporting youth development. My goal is to leverage my professional background and personal passions to make a meaningful impact on the organizations I serve.”
Why FTSV?
“What truly drew me to First Tee – Silicon Valley is the organization’s unique approach to character development through the game of golf. I have always believed that the values learned on the course like integrity, perseverance, responsibility and respect are essential life skills for young people. My experience volunteering in an after-school math programs like Singapore Math solidified my desire to support educational and developmental initiatives for youth. FTSV provides the perfect intersection of my interest in the game and my commitment to helping the next generation build a strong foundation for their future.”
As an FTSV Board Ambassador, what are your goals?
“As a new Ambassador, I am most looking forward to engaging with the community and helping to expand the reach of FTSV’s mission. I am excited to participate in events like the upcoming OPEN and to assist with welcoming golfers and registration. Being part of the OPEN allows me to contribute to the organization’s goals and secure the resources needed to sustain these vital programs. I also look forward to collaborating with the Board of Directors and other Ambassadors to share our collective passion for youth development.”
“Yes, I have been fortunate enough to have mentors throughout my life and professional career who have guided me. Their influence taught me that success isn’t just about individual effort, but about the guidance and wisdom shared by those who came before us. This firsthand knowledge of the profound impact a dedicated mentor can have on personal and professional growth is exactly why I am so eager to support the character-building work that happens at First Tee.”
Volunteer your time and talent as a board member, like Bau-Lin Yueh.
Coaching, Cultivating Donors, Event or Campaign Fundraising, Representing FTSV at outside events or working on special projects with the CEO. Get Started – Join Us!
(FTSV Board & Coach Spotlight: Ron Hallagan – Published 10/27/25) First Tee – Silicon Valley (FTSV) owes so much of our success to our many wonderful Board Directors, Ambassadors, and Coaches who are the backbone of our youth golf programs. This month’s Spotlight highlights one of our standout Board Ambassadors and Coaches, Ron Hallagan. Over the last 15 years, Ron has given his time, talent and treasure for FTSV – all in the spirit of joy and gratitude.
When asked why he has been so committed to helping FTSV Ron said,
What I am grateful for are people like Victor, George, Judy, Chris and Manny and so many more. Their commitment and loyalty to First Tee has inspired me to want to do more. My relationship with First Tee has been such a Blessing!”
Ron is truly an amazing hands-on volunteer that we wish we could clone.
During Ron’s volunteer service he has worn several different hats, many simultaneously – Board Director (2011-2022), Secretary/Officer (2014-2022), Board Ambassador (2023-Current), Coach, Strategic Thought Partner, School Program Advocate, Engaged Annual Fundraiser, Personal Major Donor, and FT Trustee.
Ron has generously given hundreds of hours a year of his time to FTSV, but he has given much more than his time. He has provided FTSV with the same consulting services he provided his clients at EY for 33 years. Ron understands our business on all levels, so he is a tremendous resource, including when we established our new 501(c)3 in 2014.
Ron is definitely on our Go-To Team!
Commitment to Staff – George Maxe, President & CEO
Ron is an “attached processor,” as folks like to say here in Silicon Valley, as a trusted advisor and focused encourager. He has a wealth of management expertise from spending his entire career with EY as a business consultant that he shares in a respectful and professional way. First and foremost, he appreciates the dedication and hard work of staff who ultimately must run our business day in and day out. Ron collaborates with me as CEO providing thoughtful input and helping hands when the job simply needs time and energy to get done – always with healthy boundaries including even when he was one of our long-time Board Officers. At the same time, Ron is a cheerleader for FTSV as a whole as well as for our individual staff. He clearly believes in our cause to mentor youth, build character, instill a sense of service, treat everyone with respect, and lend a helping hand. It’s common to receive a text, call, email or in-person side comment from Ron that is an energizing boost. Ron is one of the most generous and gratitude-filled individuals who I have ever known. His commitment to me and our staff has been priceless.
Commitment to Mission – Victor M. Arrañaga, Jr. – Chairman of Board
During Ron’s tenure as FTSV Executive Board Director and Ambassador, he has continued to embrace the values of First Tee by developing strategic plans, providing personal financial resources, and has increased outreach and support for programs that target marginalized communities. Ron’s engaging personality and work ethic has made a positive impact on program participants, board, staff, and volunteers to raise their game in our chapters efforts to transform lives and giving kids and teens a brighter future.
Commitment to Fundraising – Judy Deaton – Development Director
Ron is a highly engaged Board Member always checking in to ensure that we reach our revenue budget. He develops a personal plan to reach both his goals. Ron puts in the time to send personalized solicitations to connect his network to stories about our participants/chapter and invites his network to attend our events. I have served as the Development Director since September 2017 and Ron has been my strategic partner for our annual development goals and plan no matter his role on the board. Fundraising doesn’t feel like sales to Ron, because he believes in our mission and truly cares about the welfare and sustainability of our chapter. He is a role model for our other board members setting the bar on how they can champion our fundraising efforts.
Commitment to Participants – Chris Moreno Hunt – Program Director
Ron has a passion for youth development and believes in the power of mentoring. He has been an exemplary role model to the students he coaches and to the coaches he works with.
Ron goes above and beyond in his coaching duties. When we coached ALR (Ask-Listen-Respond) he came up with a conversation game for those waiting in line, which incorporated ALR and improved team dynamics. He is a critical thinker who always provides great alternatives to games, and suggestions for how we can better communicate our life skills or incorporate them into the games. He knows how to adapt his coaching to fit the needs of each participant and is eager to learn from his fellow coaches.
Lastly, he coaches with passion and enthusiasm, which rubs off on those around him. I can tell he loves to coach and make connections. Recently, he helped us at a community day where we had over 500 families at our golf course playing games. It can be a hectic experience as many are first time golfers. Ron not only taught the families and kept it safe, but also made sure everyone was included by checking in and having conversations with each family at his station. He is able to connect with everyone, and makes learning fun. We are so lucky to have him as a coach.
His contributions to our classes go beyond coaching. He led the launch of our school program with San Jose Catholic Schools, created a partnership with Cristo Rey High School where students were bused to the golf course for our classes, mentored our teens at our Ace-Career Classes, and funded FT’s Make Your Mark Scholarship Awards. As of today, two of our participants have won the scholarship made available by Ron. Thank you Ron!
