The Walk-On

Ace Watanasuparp is a figure known to many in the local NYC community for various reasons: from his impressive and prolific career in the finance, to his long time involvement and support of various industry, entrepreneurial, and non-profit organizations, as well as being the owner of the famous and beloved Spot Dessert Bar- Ace's journey as a local boy in NYC to the man he is today is the embodiment of what East Side Stories considers to be "the American Dream." A young man, born and raised to Taiwanese/Thai immigrants in the heart of Queens, New York City becomes the first Asian American to walk-on for the UConn men's basketball team in 2000. He goes on to become one of the youngest branch presidents at Bank at America, overseeing a team of over 20 loan officers and generating remarkable success in Queens, despite the doubts of his peers in Manhattan. Later, alongside another family member turned business partner, he goes on to tackle his most challenging venture yet: diving into the restaurant business, which nearly became too much to continue before finding critical success and franchising. At every juncture of his sports and professional career, Ace faced doubt for who he is-an Asian American, a man, a leader. Rather than allow others to decide who he is and what he is capable of, Ace has always leaned into his strengths: which was his family, a community of mentors, coaches, peers, and his friends. They say it takes a village: Ace knows that to be true, especially at the darkest moments where giving up your dreams seems to be the only option.