SAN FRANCISCO — The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) announces the election of two district governors to serve on the National Board.
The JACL thanks the outgoing governors, Brian Morishita and Kerry Kaneichi, and welcomes the new governors, Jeanette Misaka and Ken Inouye.
Misaka, currently co-president of the Salt Lake City JACL chapter, is the new governor for the Intermountain District Council (IDC), replacing Morishita.
She has a B.S., an M.S., and a PhD. She is an emeritus clinical associate professor of special education and an education specialist with the Utah State Office of Education. She has held many leadership positions in professional organizations, including the American Association of University Women.
In 1998 she received the first Jeanette Misaka Outstanding Service Award, established in her honor at the University of Utah Department of Special Education.
Misaka was interned at Heart Mountain and is a member of the Advisory Council of the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation. She and her husband Tats have three children.
Inouye, formerly a National JACL president, has held numerous leadership positions over the past 30-plus years within the organization, including district governor and as president of SELANOCO (Southeast Los Angeles/North Orange County) Chapter. He replaces Kaneichi in the Pacific Southwest (PSW) District.
Inouye graduated from California State University at Los Angeles with a degree in business administration and an emphasis on accounting. He is a CPA in a firm he co-founded, Inouye, Shively & Longtin.
He is active in various human relations organizations, principally in Orange County. He has held many positions of leadership in community work and has received many awards. He and his wife May Kondo Inouye have three daughters and one granddaughter.
National JACL President David Kawamoto, said: “It’s great to have these two well experienced individuals serving as district governors. Jeanette has ably served her chapter and district for many years. And, the PSW District and the National Board are fortunate to have Ken’s experience as a past governor and a former national president. I appreciate both of them continuing their fine service to the JACL.”
Floyd Mori, national executive director of JACL, stated: “The role of district governor is important to the national board of the JACL. Governors bring the perspective of the chapters and local matters of concern. Ken and Jeanette are dedicated JACLers who will bring their years of experience and institutional knowledge to the national board. We thank them for their willingness to continue serving the JACL in these responsible positions. We also express gratitude to Kerry Kaneichi and Brian Morishita for their service as district governors.”
The JACL has seven districts. Other governors serving are: Chip Larouche (who is also governors’ caucus chair), Pacific Northwest (PNW) District; Marcia Chung, Central California District Council (CCDC); David Unruhe, Northern California-Western Nevada-Pacific (NCWNP) District; Toshi Abe, Eastern District Council (EDC); and Stephanie Nitahara, Midwest District Council (MDC).
Congratulations to the these two outstanding individuals. I have known and admired Jeanette as an educator and community activist and sister member of AAUW for over thirty years. Indeed she gave me my first formal trainings in diversity, which still today hold me to a high standard.