California Governor and former Hollywood actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has appointed a Tongan woman as the only Pacific island representative on the Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs Commission.
Catherine ‘Ofa Mann, 57, formerly of Auckland before moving with her family in 1996, was named with fellow appointees; Kim-Yen Huynh, Mimi Song, Andrew Wong and Blong Xiong.
The mother of four who calls Elk Grove home, is heavily involved in the Pacific community in the United States, a role she began while living in west Auckland where children attended Kelston Girls and Boys high schools.
In the US, she served as a team leader for a Turning Point Community Program Regional Support Team since 1998.
From 1996 to 1998, she was a mental health assistant at the Asian Pacific Community Counseling Center.
From 1983 to 1996, Mann served as a computer operator and data entry operator for Farmers Trading Company in New Zealand.
She is a member of the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association and Council of Asian Pacific Islanders Together for Advocacy and Leadership. Additionally, Mann founded and serves as president of the non-profit organization To’utupu ‘oe ‘Otu Felenite Association of Sacramento, Incorporated. Mann is registered decline-to-state.
Additionally, Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed May 2008 as Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month to acknowledge the significant cultural contributions Americans of Asian Pacific Islander descent have made to California.
“Asian Pacific Islander Americans have contributed countless traditions and customs to our great state that have forever enhanced our culture and way of life. I encourage all Californians to celebrate Asian Pacific Islander heritage and honor its profound influence on our state and nation,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “I know the people appointed today will work to preserve and advance the interests of all Asian Pacific Islander Americans.”
Huynh, 59, of Westminster, has served as senior vice president of marketing for the First Vietnamese American Bank since 2005. From 1999 to 2005, she served as first vice president at Center Bank in Garden Grove. Huynh served as assistant vice president and assistant branch manager of Cathay Bank in Westminster from 1991 to 2000 and, from 1980 to 1991, she served as assistant vice president and assistant branch manager at Sanwa Bank in Westminster. Huynh founded and currently serves as president of the Asian American Business Women Association. She is a member and past president of the board of directors for the Vietnamese-American Chamber of Commerce in Orange County. Huynh is also vice president for the Vietnamese American Medical Institute, advisor to World Martial Arts and founded and serves as a member of the Orange County Presidents Council Board of Directors. Huynh is registered decline-to-state.
Song, 52, of Victorville, has served as chief executive officer of Mimi Song Realty Group Incorporated since 2005. Song owned and served as director of Contents City, a film production, distribution and publishing company since 2002. Since 2001, she has also served as a vice president specializing in the investment, sales and development of land in Southern California. She also co-founded the Global Leadership Foundation and REIT Dasan. Song established Reprogramming Foundation. Song is a Republican.
Wong, 33, of Diamond Bar, has been a litigation associate for the law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe since 2004. Prior to that, he was a litigation associate with Howrey, Simon, Arnold & White from 2001 to 2004 and, from 1998 to 2001, he was a litigation associate with O’Melveny & Myers. Wong is a member of the Pomona Unified School District Governing Board and the Diamond Bar Community Foundation Board of Directors, where he is also past chairman. He is also a member of the Sports Educators of America Board of Directors. Wong is a Republican.
Xiong, 38, of Fresno, has served on the Fresno City Council, representing District I since 2007. From 2000 to 2006, he was deputy director for the Fresno Center for New Americans. Prior to that, Xiong served as an investigator for the Fresno County Public Defender's Office from 1997 to 2000. He is a member of the CaliforniaVolunteers Commission, Fresno County Transportation Authority, Fresno County Workforce Investment Board, Southeast Asian Education Council and the Hmong Resettlement Task Force. Xiong is registered decline-to-state.
These positions do not require senate confirmation and there is no salary.
The Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs Commission advises the Governor, the legislature, state agencies, departments and commissions on issues relating to the interests of Asian Pacific Islander American communities. Additionally, the commission works with Asian Pacific Islander American communities to inform them of beneficial public and private programs and also looks at sensitivity issues regarding access, culture and language.
The commission is required to submit an annual report to the Governor and the legislature detailing its activities and plans for the following year.
