Remembering Angela Chao: What we know about the Austin CEO who died at a Texas ranch

Weeks after Austin CEO Angela Chao died after she was submerged in a vehicle in a pond on a Central Texas ranch, more details regarding her death and legacy are coming to light.

Who was she, and how did she die? Here's what we know about the woman some described as "a formidable executive and shipping industry leader."

More: Angela Chao, CEO of Foremost Group, dies on private property in Blanco County, Texas

Who was Angela Chao?

Chao, who lived in Austin, was CEO of Foremost Group, a New York-based global leader in the dry bulk shipping industry. She was previously vice president of the company, concentrating on ship operations and management, and was later promoted to senior vice president, according to her profile on the Foremost website.

She took the helm of Foremost Group from her father, Dr. James S.C. Chao, who founded the company and served as its honorary chairman. She was a Harvard University graduate, earning both her undergraduate and graduate degrees there, according to her website.

Chao is also a published author on topics of economics, international trade and finance, and education.

More: Angela Chao, CEO of Foremost Group and Mitch McConnell's sister-in-law, dies in car accident

How did Angela Chao die?

Chao died Feb. 12 on a private property in Blanco County after the vehicle she was traveling in veered into a pond and was submerged for more than an hour.

Sheriff's deputies responded to 101 Schneider Lane in Johnson City for a possible water rescue before midnight on Feb. 11, and more rescue crews followed. An EMS responder told Lt. Royce Penshorn, who authored a report on Chao's death, that crews discovered one vehicle was "completely submerged" with one person inside.

A two-person crew searched the pond's bank for other victims and set up lighting as sheriff's deputies continued rescue efforts in the water. A tow truck also arrived to try to pull the vehicle out, but its chains could not reach it from the pond's bank, Penshorn wrote in the report.

An EMS crew member and a firefighter went into the water with the tools to get into the vehicle. They used "several tools" to get into the vehicle, including a pike pole and a Halligan bar, a multipurpose tool used by firefighters to force an entry.

Rescuers pulled the patient from the vehicle at about 12:56 a.m., said Benjamin Oakley, the EMS chief. EMS responders delivered "advanced life support" for 43 minutes to try to resuscitate her.

Chao was pronounced dead at the scene. Public records show the property is owned by a trust that shares the same Chicago address as an investment and public equity firm owned by Chao's husband, Jim Breyer.

More: Austinite Angela Chao,who died in a car crash, led an impressive professional career

Who is Jim Breyer?

Jim Breyer is Chao's surviving husband. He is an American venture capitalist and founder and CEO of Breyer Capital, which is headquartered in Austin. Breyer is also a minority owner of the Boston Celtics, according to Breyer Capital's website.

He is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Business School, where he graduated as a Baker Scholar.

More: Austin CEO Angela Chao submerged in vehicle over an hour as rescuers worked to save her

Family ties to Elaine Chao and Mitch McConnell

Chao's older sister is Elaine Chao, who served as transportation secretary under former President Donald Trump and labor secretary under former President George W. Bush. The elder Chao is married to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Who was Angela Chao? What we know about Foremost Group CEO's death