FAPAC Held its 29th National Leadership Training Conference in Charlotte, NC

On May 5 under a warm sun, the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) opened its 29^th National Leadership Training Program with several pre-conference forums in the beautiful city of Charlotte, NC, a few blocks from the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Changes are in the air but the organization is looking forward to a bright future. In the evening attendees from across the federal government came to hear the opening remarks from Dr. Kin Wong, President and the welcome from an old friend, Brian Ronholm, Under Secretary on Food Safety, USDA and Dr. Ki-Hyun Chun, Founder of the Carolinas Asian American Chamber of Commerce and publisher of Asian Herald, the local ethnic press.

On May 6 during the Opening Ceremony, Mamie Mallory, FAA Assistant Administrator of Civil Rights, shared her story of rising from a humble beginning to her current position. Dr. Joe Leonard, Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights, USDA and senior officials from the Forest Service and Social Security Administration also delivered remarks. These is followed by the report of the representatives of the Challenge Team Pilot which is the latest FAPAC experiment to provide new approaches to training – members across the federal government work in virtual teams on special projects in Data Disaggregation, Language Access, Capacity Building and Workforce Diversity. The teams came up with new findings, solutions and tools for agencies to improve their operations. Afternoons feature many workshops on leadership, communication and EEO topics presented by seasoned trainers from many agencies.

Wednesday May 7 was filled with excitement with the award of the Military Meritorious Award at a luncheon with a moving tribute to the fallen hero performed by the DoD and joint services. U. S. Coast Guard Admiral Joseph Vojvodich presented the keynote with the concept of adjacent possibilities. President Kin Wong and Clarence Johnson, Director, Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity at the Department of Defense, congratulated award recipients with a plaque and a FAPAC coin. The award for civilians were given out at an Award Banquet on May 8 that opened with a

Keynote from the OPM Director, Katherine Archuleta, delivered via video. FAPAC Scholarship Fund also awarded the 2014 Distinguished Scholarship for Public Service to Mary Flores in honor of Norman Y. Mineta, former Secretary of Transportation and Commerce. This year’s President Awards were given to Olivia
Adrian, Vice President for Operations and Liqun Wong, Executive Secretary.

Other highlights of the National Training Program included the presentation of Jenny Yang, newly appointed Vice Chair of the EEOC and a panel of EEO Directors from the State Department, HHS and TSA on civil rights issues in the AAPI community. OPM Director for Diversity and Inclusion, Veronica Villalobos, and Georgia Coffey, Assistant Secretary for Diversity at the Department of Veterans Affairs were invited speakers at the Diversity Forum. World famous chef Marja Vongerichten, host of the PBS TV series “Kimchi Chronicles” shared her story on the reunion with her biological mother through cooking in a moving session on Food and Culture. She also spoke of her experience of living with a multi-cultural identity, Korean and African American by birth and adopted by an American family. Dr. Rahul Jindal, transplant surgeon from Walter Reed Medical Center, Juliet K. Choi, Chief of Staff from the HHS Office of Civil Rights and MG Jim Chow, a surgeon with the Air National Guard presented different perspectives on health care issues. Performers from the Cambodian, Chinese, and Filipino communities in Charlotte presented dances in their native costumers – a great complement to the ethnic dresses worn by attendees.

President Kin Wong closed the program with his remarks on the accomplishments of FAPAC in his two terms in raising the visibility of the organization, promoting diversity and strengthening the collaboration with agencies such as OPM, White House Initiatives for AAPI, EEOC, HHS and others. He recognized the contributions and support of the many volunteers and the confidence expressed by the 120 Lifetime Members in FAPAC. He expressed optimism in the coming election and is happy in passing the baton of a financially secured organization to the new leadership on October 1.