Rafu Staff Report
SEATTLE — A new board was elected at the 2012 JACL National Convention, held July 5 to 8 at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, Wash.
David Lin, a JACL 1000 Club Life and Millennium Club member, was elected national president, succeeding David Kawamoto of San Diego JACL. A member of the New York JACL, Lin previously served as vice president of membership.
As executive director, external affairs at AT&T in Bedminster, N.J., he is responsible for building and managing AT&T relationships with a number of organizations, including national Asian American community-based groups, rural groups and institutions. During his career at AT&T, Lin has held leadership positions across a variety of disciplines, including consumer marketing, sales, product management, finance, systems development and data center operations.
For the past two decades, Lin has been actively involved with the Asian American employee resource group at AT&T, Asian Pacific Islanders for Professional and Community Advancement (APCA), representing 15,000 employees. He serves as APCA’s national president with the responsibility of setting strategic direction and overseeing the operation of 11 APCA chapters around the country.
A lifetime member of OCA (Organization of Chinese Americans), Lin is the first non-Nikkei national president of JACL. Many others have served in leadership positions at the national, district and chapter levels.
The presidency was the only contested position. Lin defeated Jeff Yoshioka of Silicon Valley JACL, 62.5 to 23.5. Kawamoto endorsed Lin as his successor.
Elaine Akagi of Seattle JACL was elected vice president of general operations, succeeding Gail Sueki of Silicon Valley JACL.
Craig Tomiyoshi, a board member of the Pacific Southwest District and a member of SELANOCO (Southeast L.A./North Orange County) JACL, was elected vice president of public affairs, succeeding Ron Katsuyama of Dayton JACL.
John Moy of the Washington, D.C. JACL was elected vice president of membership.
Jason Chang of Fresno JACL was re-elected vice president of planning and development.
Matthew Farrells of Twin Cities JACL was elected secretary/treasurer, succeeding Larry Oda of Monterey Peninsula JACL. Farrells was previously chair of the National Youth/Student Council.
Jeff Moy of the Washington, D.C. JACL was elected chair of the National Youth/Student Council. He is John Moy’s son.
Mariko Newton of Portland JACL was elected youth representative, succeeding Devin Yoshikawa of Florin JACL.
Carol Kawamoto of San Diego JACL was appointed as chair of the Pacific Citizen Editorial Board, a non-voting position. She succeeds Judith Aono of Contra Costa JACL.
The National Board authorized the hiring of a new PC editor to replace Caroline Aoyagi-Stom, who recently resigned, and authorized the retention of an interim editor until a new editor is hired.