Winning ‘Amazing Race,’ Going Back to Work

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For almost six months, Victor Jih had to keep a million-dollar secret.

Jih, a trial lawyer in the Century City office of O?elveny & Myers LLP, recently competed on and ultimately won CBS reality show ?he Amazing Race?with his sister, Tamara. The victory netted them a $1 million cash prize. Though the show wrapped up taping in November, the two weren? allowed to tell anyone ?even their parents ?until the final episode aired May 10.

?t the very beginning it was difficult, but it becomes a little bit of a game with your family and friends,?he said, adding that his father was convinced they placed third after reading it on the Internet. ?hey all thought they knew what happened.

Jih said he enjoyed the challenge of the competition, but he has no aspirations about show business.

? love my job,?he said.


Laser Tag

Harold Schall? career involves shooting lasers into the sky. But recently he got star struck.

Schall, who says he ?asically helps develop lasers for equipment the military uses,?leads a team of 300 that develops top-secret laser technology for the military. Employed by Boeing, he commutes between his West Hills office and Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert.

Schall was recently honored by the U.S. Department of Defense? Missile Defense Agency, along with five other engineers and managers, for advancing laser technology on military equipment that can shoot down airborne missiles.

Although Schall is used to dealing with government officials visiting the base, the laser guru found himself a little star struck when sitting across from the agency? chief, Lt. Gen. Patrick O?eilly, during a luncheon honoring Schall for his work.

?t? just always an honor to be able to meet with the leaders of the nation and someone who is at the top of the field you?e working in,?Schall said. ?t was quite humbling.?p>


Low-Price Cool

As an owner of one of the hot Tesla Roadsters, Jeremy Snyder knows what it? like to get attention when he? piloting his car. Indeed, when a Business Journal reporter took the electric car for a cruise, it took only seconds before an admirer flagged down the electric car and wanted to know all about it.

But Snyder, who is the general manager of the Tesla dealership in West Los Angeles, also knows what it? like to see lots of people walk away from the two-seat sports car due to its $109,000 price.

Of course, there? always something else to buy ?such as $108 Tesla jackets, $38 T-shirts, $24 hats and even a $1 Matchbox toy car.

?eople may not be able to afford the Roadster, but they want the T-shirt or hat, whether it is the kids or the adults,?he said, then paused.

?sually, it? both.?


Staff reporters Richard Clough, Francisco Vara-Orta and Daniel Miller contributed to this column. Page 3 is compiled by Editor Charles Crumpley. He can be reached at [email protected].

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