Charlie Huy La
About Charlie Huy La
Charlie Huy La, age 50, has served as an independent director of Nova LifeStyle, Inc. since January 24, 2017. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from La Salle University (July 1999). His core credentials include human resources information systems leadership and investment management, with ongoing roles at Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. and Grand Pinnacle Investment LLC.
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | Human Resource Information System (HRIS) Lead | Since November 2008 | Experience in HR systems and payroll operations cited as beneficial to NVFY operations |
| Grand Pinnacle Investment LLC | Managing Member | Since May 2015 | Investment and management expertise cited as valuable to Board and committees |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | HRIS Lead | Since November 2008 | Fortune 500 metals service center; role underscores systems/process rigor |
| Grand Pinnacle Investment LLC | Managing Member | Since May 2015 | Real estate investment and management specialization |
Board Governance
- Independence: Board determined Mr. La meets NASDAQ independence standards; all Audit, Compensation, and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee members are independent.
- Executive sessions: Independent directors held 16 executive sessions in 2023 and 4 in 2024.
| Committee | Role | Chair? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audit Committee | Member | No (Chair: Umesh Patel) | Oversees financial integrity, auditor independence; operates under charter on company website |
| Compensation Committee | Member | No (Chair: Ming-Cherng Sky Tsai) | Administers officer/employee compensation plans; authority to engage independent advisors; none used in 2023–2024 |
| Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee | Chair | Yes | Leads director identification, board composition, and effectiveness assessments; operates under charter |
| Attendance | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Board and assigned committees | 100% | 100% |
| Source |
Fixed Compensation
| Year | Annual Retainer (Cash) | Meeting Fees | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $23,530 | Nominal (unspecified) | Director agreements provide expense reimbursement; confidentiality obligations |
| 2024 | $23,530 | Nominal (unspecified) | Director agreements provide expense reimbursement; no medical/dental/retirement plan for independent directors |
Performance Compensation
| Year | Stock Awards ($) | Option Awards ($) | Non-Equity Incentive ($) | Total ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | – | – | – | $23,530 |
| 2024 | – | – | – | $23,530 |
| Outstanding Equity Awards Snapshot | As of 12/31/2023 | As of 12/31/2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Options | 6,000 outstanding; 6,000 vested | No outstanding equity awards |
| Performance Metrics in Director Pay | Used? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue growth, EBITDA, TSR, ESG goals | No | Proxies disclose only fixed director fees; no equity grants or performance metrics for directors in 2023–2024 |
Other Directorships & Interlocks
| Company | Type | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| None disclosed | — | — | Proxy biographies list employment roles but do not disclose other public company board memberships for Mr. La |
- Compensation Committee interlocks: None; members are independent and not current/former officers or employees.
Expertise & Qualifications
- Human resources information systems and payroll operations expertise (Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.).
- Investment management experience (Grand Pinnacle Investment LLC).
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in MIS, La Salle University (July 1999).
Equity Ownership
| As-of Date | Shares Beneficially Owned | Percent of Class | Shares Outstanding (Context) |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2, 2025 | 485 | Asterisk shown in proxy table (percent not explicitly stated) | 34,240,873 |
| Equity Detail | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Options (outstanding/vested) | 6,000 / 6,000 | None outstanding | Not disclosed |
| RSUs/PSUs | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Pledged shares | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
Governance Assessment
- Strengths:
- Independence affirmed; serves as chair of Nominating & Corporate Governance and member of Audit and Compensation committees, supporting board effectiveness and oversight.
- Strong engagement with 100% attendance in 2023 and 2024; independent directors hold executive sessions (16 in 2023, 4 in 2024).
- No compensation committee interlocks; committee members independent and not current/former officers.
- No related-party transactions disclosed involving Mr. La. Related-party items disclosed are with the Chairperson (leasing, sales commission agreements) and shareholder loans; Audit Committee reviews and pre-approves such transactions.
- Concerns / RED FLAGS:
- Low personal share ownership (485 shares) suggests limited “skin-in-the-game” alignment versus outstanding share count.
- No equity-based director compensation in 2024 and none awarded in 2023; equity alignment for independent directors is minimal.
- Compensation Committee did not engage independent compensation advisors in 2023–2024, which can be a governance risk in pay oversight despite independence.
- Company-level related-party transactions with the Chairperson (leased showroom; commissions to a firm owned by the Chairperson) persist, though audited and overseen—environmental risk to governance quality even if not linked to La.