[5] Hom's father came to the United States when he was only 15 years old with little cash aboard the Manchuria in 1909, changing his name to David due to influence from Presbyterian missionaries in China.[7] Beginning at the age of 15, he began to work at the family business, David Produce Company, and then graduated from San Diego High School.Before becoming a politician Hom held multiple jobs, including work in food service, agriculture, and broadcasting.[5] Taking classes at night, Hom went on to earn a degree in business administration from the University of California, San Diego.[15] In the late 1990s his company went on to expand into projects in the Las Vegas area;[16] this included low cost housing, with the construction of Campaige Place in 2000.