LIBERTY, JUSTICE AND HOUSING FOR ALL
FALL 2024
Volume 1V, Issue 1 II
is a publication of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), a national nonprofit trade organization dedicated to increasing sustainable homeownership in the AANHPI community. For more information, visit: areaa.org
©2024 by the Asian Real Estate Association of America. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed by individual authors are not necessarily the opinions held by AREAA.
Office:
Asian Real Estate Association of America 2333 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 210 San Diego, California 92108 619.795.7873 Phone contact@areaa.org
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CONTRIBUTORS
Cover Image Photographer: Stacy Keck (@stacykeck)
Vanessa Shields, Writer
AREAA NATIONAL STAFF
Hope Atuel, Chief Executive Officer
Ailsa Alipusan, National Membership & Partner Manager/ AREAA Foundation Liaison
Wellington Clave, Chapter Support Specialist
Jordan Fan, Policy Associate
Angela Holton, Graphic Designer
Jazz Miranda, Brand & Media Manager
Gerald Vistro, Special Projects Coordinator
Reymond Yoo, Event Planner
Armel Zamora, Social Media Coordinator/ Graphic Designer
LETTER FROM OUR CEO
Hope Atuel Chief Executive Officer, AREAA
One of humankind’s core social motives is the need to belong. The American Psychological Association (APA) states that the need to belong is a motivation for human beings….to be part of relationships, to belong to groups, and to be accepted by others.
For centuries, Asian Americans have struggled with the sense of belonging in this country. Historically, laws were passed to bar Asians from the Unites States – the Chinese Exclusionary Act of 1882 barring Chinese immigration to this country; Executive Order 9066 that sent Japanese Americans into internment camps are among the pernicious laws enacted against our community. Fast forward to 2020 and our community yet again goes through the trauma of being unwanted in this country. Blamed for the COVID virus, many of us have heard these hurtful words: "GO HOME!" Go where? But America, this land, is our home. We belong here.
Belonging is a universal human need. Loneliness and the sense of isolation it causes a risk factor for mortality, substance abuse and violence. Research shows that people who feel like they do not belong are more likely to act aggressively, eat more, feel depressed and underperform. Belonging helps us as human beings thrive. Paradoxically, we have become a culture that is well connected thanks to technology, yet current data shows nearly half of US adults feel lonely. Last year, the surgeon general called loneliness "an epidemic." Loneliness is rising hence the need for connectedness like attending chapter and national events is ever more important. We at AREAA have a place of belonging – you belong here.
A sense of belonging is in the heartbeat of our organization – after all, it is what we have been fighting for as a community – then and now. As part of AREAA, we build connections for and with our community – and where there is connection, trust is built. That’s where you come in. Trusted advisors for our community members.
At this national convention, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and build new connections with your peers and partners. Doing so allows us to further our mission to new heights – expanding our sphere of influence to truly change lives through real estate. Homeownership is belonging. Will you join the AREAA movement to help our community believe that we belong?
Letter From the CEO
AREAA National CEO Hope Atuel reflects on the importance of belonging, and the role AREAA plays for its members.
AREAA Year in Review
Highlights from the past year for AREAA.
Journeys From Our Members
AREAA members represent the diversity of the Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander experience. These are only four powerful immigration stories.
Q & A With Jamie Tian
Learn more about AREAA National President Jamie Tian, and find out her answers to 21 questions.
Founders Update
John Wong shares his thoughts on the critical stories behind AREAA’s founding.
Expanding AREAA Communications
Details on how AREAA has expanded its virtual communications
Best of AREAA Revamped!
Find out the winners of AREAA’s new and improved Best of AREAA categories.
2024 Executive Committee
View the current AREAA Executive leadership team.
Spotlight on Nevada
From 2012 to 2022, Nevada saw the biggest growth in the Asian American Pacific Islander population in the country.
National Partners
Thank you to the generous support of our national sponsors who partner with AREAA to make homeownership a reality for AANHPI families.
2024 Delegate Board
View the current AREAA leadership team.
AREAA YEAR IN REVIEW
2024 is a momentous year for AREAA. In its twenty year history, AREAA has filed its first ever lawsuit, defending the federal fair housing law in the state of Florida.
“The leadership deliberated and debated for many months on this issue”, said Hope Atuel, CEO of AREAA. It was not an easy decision but it is the right one – for all Americans. My mother did not raise me to sit in the sidelines when there is injustice – she raised her children to fight for social justice, for the marginalized; for the disenfranchised. The federal fair housing law is explicit in prohibiting discrimination based on national origin and this is exactly what the bill does –excludes individuals from certain countries from owning a home. Taking cues from Lisa Rice, her team from the National Fair Housing Alliance and the legal team at Relman and Colfax, AREAA has jointly filed the lawsuit and have coalesced with other organizations to bring this issue to light.
Allen Okamoto, founder and chairman emeritus of AREAA proclaims that “we will prevail”. It is a fight for our community – a fight that began many years ago with the Chinese Exclusionary Act and then an executive order to send all Japanese Americans into prison camp. My sister was two years old while my brother was barely two months old when our family was sent to live in the Tanforan Race Track in Santa Anita where we were forced to live when World War II started. I cannot permit Asians to be vilified once again. Discrimination is personal for me because my family lived it firsthand. AREAA stands for equity in housing – that has been my vision and continues to be to this very day.
AREAA members at AREAA's 2024 Diversity & Fair Housing Summit, Washington D.C
AREAA FILES A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE STATE OF FLORIDA
On May 6, 2024, the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence, Inc., and the Fair Housing Center of the Greater Palm Beaches filed a fair housing discrimination suit in federal court in Miami challenging Florida’s SB 264, a state law that greatly restricts people from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria from purchasing real property in the state. The law almost completely prohibits Chinese citizens and people domiciled in China from buying property in the state. People domiciled in one of the other six countries are prohibited from buying real property within ten miles of critical infrastructure facilities or military institutions—a restriction that covers 98.5% of all residential land in the state.
“Xenophobia has no place in our country—and let there be no mistake, that’s precisely what SB 264 is,” said Noah Baron, Assistant Director of Litigation at Advancing Justice - AAJC. “This legislation echoes last century’s ‘alien land laws,’ which also restricted the property rights of Asian Americans on the basis of stereotypes and prejudice. The United States must not continue down this dangerous road; we know where it leads because we have traveled it before: during World War II when unfounded suspicions of Japanese
Americans led to the forced imprisonment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans by the U.S. government and going as far back as the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act.”
The lawsuit filed by Relman Colfax, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, and Courtney Cunningham asserts that SB 264 violates the federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits acts that are motivated by a person’s national origin or have a disproportionate harmful effect on people from specific countries. As described in the complaint, SB 264 is based on stereotyped and xenophobic generalizations, and is transparently motivated by discrimination against people from the seven targeted countries.
“SB 264 is reminiscent of early twentieth century land laws that attempted to prevent Asian and other immigrants deemed undesirable from settling in the United States. This law is one of the most discriminatory housing prohibitions this country has seen since the Fair Housing Act was passed in 1968. Legislation such as this prevents people from purchasing homes and becoming, or continuing to be, valued members of the community. SB 264 cannot be permitted to stand,” said Keenya Robertson, President and CEO of Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence, Inc.
“This is a momentous day for AREAA and our 19,000 members as it is the first time we have filed suit to protect the rights of the AANHPI community,” said Jamie Tian, President of AREAA. “SB 264 must be defeated. Florida legislators and Governor DeSantis have wrongly targeted Chinese, and other select groups of immigrants. They have opened the door for greater discrimination while creating increased barriers of homeownership entry for prospective AANHPI homebuyers and sellers. My parents came to the U.S. from China as PhD candidates and they eventually bought a home in Irvine, California. I shudder to think about what my parents would have gone through today if they had settled in Florida. It’s infuriating to realize we now live in a reality where government leaders are putting homeownership out of reach for AANHPI people in Florida.”
The law was promoted by Governor DeSantis who described it as part of an effort to prevent people from certain countries from “worming” their way into American society. The bill’s sponsor described it as targeting foreign agents, but its broad sweep captures people lawfully in the United States and vetted by immigration officials such as people on student visas, domestic employment and seasonal worker visas, and visas for victims of criminal activity and human trafficking. People from the targeted countries who already own property in the state are required to register with the Florida Department of Commerce. The penalties for violating the law include felonies punishable by as much as five years imprisonment and can be applied to buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals.
“The federal Fair Housing Act was signed into law to eliminate the race-based barriers to housing that have plagued our nation since its inception. SB 264 is contrary to the spirit of our nation’s fair housing laws and tramples on the rights of people of Asian descent and other immigrants. It sends the dangerous message that discrimination in housing based on national origin is acceptable in the state of Florida,” said Lisa Rice, President and CEO of the National
From left to right: Chairman Emeritus Jim Park, AREAA Founder Allen Okamoto, AREAA Founder John Yen Wong, Washington D.C
National Japanese American Memorial, Washington D.C
Fair Housing Alliance. “We look forward to vindicating the fair housing rights of Asians and other immigrants in Florida and making it possible for them to secure stable housing.”
The sponsors’ defense of the bill is to cite national security concerns, but people from the targeted countries make up a tiny percentage of all residential property buyers in the state and the legislative record identified no link between the purchase of residential property and security threats. With no basis, SB 264 explicitly targets individuals from the seven targeted countries for disfavored treatment while imposing no similar restrictions on nationals of any other country. The legislation impedes the pursuit of the American dream for families from China and the other countries who aspire to build a life in this country free from discrimination.
“The people of Florida deserve better than a government that says ‘you are not welcome’ to large groups of people just because they were born in a particular country,” said Vince Larkins, President and CEO of Fair Housing Center for the Greater Palm Beaches. “We cannot sit idly by while housing discrimination is now the official policy of the State of Florida.”
“It is our expectation that the court will find this explicitly discriminatory law as a violation of the Fair Housing Act and strike it down,” said Reed Colfax, a partner with Relman Colfax.
MENTORING FOR SUCCESS – theEDGE
In 2009, AREAA leaders recognized the need for young professionals in real estate. They began working to create a group akin to a YPN (young professional network) but focused on AANHPIs. The overarching goal was to develop skills that would build the leadership pool of the organization both locally and nationally. Kara Okamoto, a newbie in real estate at that time, launched a social media network called theEDGE, attracting younger real estate professionals to join AREAA and give back to the community. While this name originally referred to the cutting ‘edge’ of the industry, it was soon made into an acronym: Empower. Develop. Give. Educate.
While theEDGE has been known to host social events like no other, it went back to its roots of leadership development, relaunching the mentorship program across the country in 2021. This revival effort was largely spearheaded by Prisca Lee, an AREAA leader who benefited from a mentoring program herself. The program is now in its third year with a more standardized process that starts in January and ends in October.
BUILDING BENCH STRENGTH – ANNUAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
Like the rest of the world, AREAA pivoted to online training events at the onset of the pandemic to continue leadership skill training for onboarding chapter leadership. Coming out of COVID as a pandemic, AREAA transitioned to regional retreats in 2023 with the idea of small but more frequent and local training to reach more member leaders. However, consistency and replication of the leadership program in five different regions was almost impossible to achieve. Under Jamie
From left to right: Chairman Emeritus Jim Park, National Fair Housing Alliance President and CEO Lisa Rice, Texas State Representative Gene Wu, Washington D.C
From left to right: National Fair Housing Alliance President and CEO Lisa Rice, 2024 AREAA President Jamie Tian, AREAA CEO/Executive Director Hope Atuel, Washington D.C
Tian’s presidency this year, AREAA reinstated its annual leadership program bringing cohesiveness and alignment with the overall mission and vision of AREAA. 2018 President Tom Truong is often quoted to this day that AREAA needs to build its bench strength for the future. Under President Truong’s year, indeed bench strength was built and the organization is reaping the harvest of new and fresh leadership evident in the newer cohorts of local and national committee present and future leadership.
STATE OF ASIA AMERICA
The State of Asia America Report is AREAA’s largest annual publication, and a comprehensive national resource discussing the latest and most critical trends involving AANHPI housing. This year’s report was story driven, focusing on the fact that many within the AANHPI have a recent immigration story within their family. That story is a journey spurred by work opportunities, the pursuit of religious and social freedoms, and education. The report analyzes state by state migration data to discuss which areas are hot spots for specific AANHPI subgroups.
So, what were some of the biggest takeaways from that story?
First of all, the United States is still the land of dreams. AANHPIs have seen a 5% growth in their homeownership since 2012, and a majority of them say they are on their way to achieving the American dream. The total AANHPI population has grown by almost 6 million in the last decade, with greater migration to areas in the Midwest and South.
Secondly, disaggregated data continues to be critical. The Asian Indian population, while having the highest median household income of $175k, has a homeownership rate of 62.6%. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese American population has a lower income of $93k but a homeownership rate of 70%. Many smaller Asian ethnicities like Hmong and Burmese Americans have homeownership rates near 40%. Similarly, the overall loan profiles of AANHPIs are better than average, but many specific communities have severe loan costs and burdens that are comparable to those faced by the Black community. This is not to say that AANHPIs are not doing well as a whole, only to acknowledge that there are extremely significant variances between groups.
Lastly, at the middle-income level, the White-AANHPI homeownership gap is greatest. For the Hispanic and Black communities, the homeownership gap is greatest at the low-income level. This suggests that there is a unique disparity at the middle-income level for AANHPIs. AREAA is working with industry partners to address this need in the future.
2024 Policy Committee Chair Abby Nguyen-Burke, Washington D.C
AREAA’s 2024 Leadership Summit, San Diego CA
John Yen Wong
Founding Chairman/ Chairman Emeritus
THOUGHTS FROM JOHN YEN WONG FOUNDERS'
When I meet someone new, I often sense a first impression built around what they see now. I appear a prosperous Asian American REALTOR. I graduated from Yale University and jet set across the globe with the love of my life, Betty Sun Wong. We have raised two successful children and have recently become grandparents. There can be the belief that I was born with golden chopsticks in my hands.
The opposite is true. My mother worked as a seamstress while my father worked as a waiter at night so he could take care of me and my siblings during the day when my mother was working. I was born and raised in Chinatown where most Chinese in San Francisco were relegated to live in the 60s and 70s. Like many Asian Americans, my parents modeled work ethics that I can pass on to my children and hopefully other generations to come. My parents worked those hard and manual jobs to provide for me and my sisters. Life did not come easy for our family growing up. And in some regards, Allen (Okamoto’s) life parallel’s mine. His family experienced harsh discrimination against Japanese Americans following WW II. His father, Takeo Okamoto, was not allowed to join the REALTORS organization because of his Japanese ancestry – fast forward to thirty years later, Takeo’s very own son – Allen Okamoto, was installed as the first Asian American president of the San Francisco Association of REALTORS.
Our stories are different yet the same. Grit, determination and eventual success despite adversity. My story, your story, OUR story is the story of AREAA. Birthed in 2003, Allen and I envisioned an organization dedicated to supporting the Asian American community and housing. For the both of us, a home symbolizes a place of refuge – a place where we experience love and connection – a place of belonging. Shortly thereafter, Jim Park, completed the triumvirate and led AREAA to newer heights.
A decade later, Hope Atuel, joined as the organization’s first Executive Director and the rest, as they say is history.
As I write my musings for this publication, I, along with Hope, reminisce the legacy and footprint each national leader has indelibly imprinted at AREAA. It is their story and it is the story that continue to build on AREAA’s growth year after year.
THE GROWTH OF AREAA
2003
AREAA was formed by John Wong and Allen Okamoto. John and Allen would serve 2-years of consecutive terms as founding chairman from 2004 – 2007.
2004
AREAA hires its first paid staff.
2011
Kenneth Li - (integration of commercial practitioners into AREAA’s membership and the first stage of a 2-year governance restructure process); AREAA Foundation raises $500K to benefit tsunami victims in Japan.
2007
AREAA sets up its headquarters in Carlsbad, CA under Jim Park’s leadership.
2008
Emily Fu - (creation of a r e magazine –winter/spring/summer/fall issues).
2012
Kathy Tsao - Inaugural Global Summit in New York and the first international trade mission to China. AREAA Foundation raised $150K to benefit victims of typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Hope Atuel joins as Executive Director of AREAA.
2013
Jim Park - institution of the new governance structure of the organization with a delegate board of representatives from the chapters and an executive committee. AREAA Global, a subsidiary of AREAA, was formed this year. AREAA Global is another child-idea of past president Allen Chiang.
2009
Allen Chiang - Chiang’s farewell gift to AREAA as outgoing chair was the start of the AREAA Foundation entity.
2010
John Fukuda - (creation of theEDGE, AREAA’s YPN group).
2014
Ivan Choi - structural changes to chapter minimum standards and a new schedule for annual Leadership Summit.
Carmen Chong - Focus on community service/Meaningful May to encourage chapters to host an event during heritage month. AREAA moves its headquarters in San Diego, CA.
Vicky Silvano - No Other campaign launched to give AANHPIs its own distinct category; inception of the annual State of Asia America report; Luxury committee formed this year under Randy Char's committee leadership.
Angie Lee - Townhall and Regional meetings. AREAA embarks on a campaign to add the PLDF in the URLA form for data collection on language preference for our LEP borrowers.
Randy Char - luxury designation offered to AREAA members in collaboration with the Institute of Luxury Home Marketing (ILHM) at the Asia Society in Manhattan; Mortgage committee formed this year under Jed Anantasanboom's committee leadership.
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Tom Truong - Adoption of a 5-year strategic plan which focuses on deeper bench strength for leaders and a cohesive communications plan for its leaders; AREAA Youth was formed this year.
Jim Huang - Renewed focus on partnership and commercial member growth under a commercial practitioner president. AREAA sets-up a physical office and presence in Washington, DC. AREAA joins a The National Coalition of Asian Pacific Organizations to amplify its advocacy in DC.
2020 2021
Amy Kong - President Amy Kong commissions a building task force to explore the possibility of purchasing a property for AREAA. Policy Summit rebrands to Diversity and Fair Housing Summit as Asian Americans experience hate crimes of great proportion on the onset of COVID. Renewed focus on understanding the Asian American experience through communication pieces like "More than one" and others.
2022
Tim Hur - AREAA purchases its first home office in Mission Valley. While opening an office in Washington, DC. AREAA reaches 19,000 members. Deployment of a homebuyer survey to determine Asian hate and its effect on homeownership decisions.
2023
Kurt Nishimura - Finding solutions on housing affordability; AREAA moves to its permanent location. AREAA Global spins off to form Real Estate Global Alliance, independent of AREAA. Greater Milawaukee chapter was formed – Chapter #45.
2024
Jamie Tian - Defending fair housing rights; Lawsuit filed challenging SB264 in FL.
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AREAA'S POLICY IMPACT: MISSION'S ACCOMPLISHED
AREAA’s mission is to create sustainable homeownership for AANHPIs; and we have had a significant impact. Culturally, numerically, economically, and politically, the AANHPI footprint in this country has grown dramatically. We have grown from a community that has long been underreported on and underrepresented, to a key buying power and voting bloc within the country.
As the community has grown, so too has AREAA’s presence and influence within policy. Here is a breakdown of some of AREAA’s biggest policy victories, and the effect that our advocacy has had on the housing market.
NoOther
One of AREAA’s biggest accomplishments was the NoOther campaign. The goal was the inclusion of “Asian” as a standalone category on quarterly Census Housing Reports, rather than being grouped within the “Other” category. This effort involved mobilization of leaders and AREAA members around the country and consistent meetings with Census representatives. By using the power of our collective voice, AREAA was finally able to make this change happen in 2016. As a result of AREAA’s advocacy, this category has continued to exist on this report. While the change might seem small, it is crucial for progressive changes like this to take place. In order for the needs of the AANHPI community to be adequately addressed, the community needs to be accurately counted and represented. AREAA is proud to have helped to make this happen.
Appraisal Equity
For two years, AREAA has advocated for greater equity and transparency in the appraisal process. This has involved meetings and sessions with key stakeholders in this process, including the Appraisal Institute and other industry practitioners. Furthermore, we have advocated for legislative changes and submitted recommendations to ensure that institutional or structural bias is limited or eliminated in Automated Valuation Models (AVMs). This issue continues to be on AREAAs radar as data indicates that there continue to be disparities in the household valuation between White and non-White majority neighborhoods.
2016 AREAA Chairwoman Vicky Silvano & Former United States Representative Mike Honda. Washington D.C
Alternative Credit
Since AREAA’s inception, our founders identified credit building as a key barrier to AANHPI homeownership. As a community with many recent immigrants, higher levels of Limited English Proficiency (LEP), and a culture that discourages debt, the AANHPI community has historically had issues building credit. For years, AREAA has advocated to our partners within governmental agencies to provide more avenues for consumers to build credit. Recently, there were two significant changes that took place. In 2021, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced renter’s credit programs. These programs allow renters to report on-time rental payments to build their credit. Next, in 2022, the FHFA announced the validation and approval of FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0 for use by the Enterprises. Both of these models allow for a more in-depth and detailed credit model and create more avenues for consumers to qualify for loans. As an organization that has successfully partnered with both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for years, AREAA is proud of these changes within the credit building process.
AANHPI Homebuyer Survey
In 2021 and 2022, the United States saw a spike in anti-Asian hate crimes fueled by sentiments around Covid-19. Other organizations like Stop AAPI Hate played a prominet role in collecting data and reporting on this process. As the largest AANHPI trade organization in the housing space, AREAA saw a need for data collection on this topic. To address this need, AREAA deployed a national survey to prospective and recent AANHPI homebuyers, translated into 5 different languages. This survey found that over 30% of prospective buyers had ruled out relocating to certain areas due to concerns about discrimination. Furthermore, safety and security consistently ranked as a top priority for current and prospective homeowners. The collection and reporting on this data allowed AREAA to definitively conclude that rises in anti-AANHPI hate crimes have a concrete, measurable impact on the housing market.
Language
Access
One of the most common lived experiences within the AANHPI community is that of assisting Limited English Proficiency (LEP) family members or friends when navigating government documents. Buying a home is an incredibly complex process involving many different parties, sensitive financial information, a long list of documents, and a lot of money. Even for native English speakers, this is a difficult process.
To address this barrier within the homebuying process, AREAA has advocated consistently for greater language access. Additionally, AREAA has assisted in efforts by various federal agencies including the GSEs and FHFA to create more translated mortgage terms.
Making Our Community Count
Studies show that the AANHPI community has a lower-than-average rate of civic participation. In 2020, AREAA partnered with the Census and other AANHPI organizations to promote participation in Census surveys. Furthermore, every election year, AREAA will work at both a national and chapter level to assist in Get Out the Vote initiatives. In 2020, a record number of AANHPI voters participated in the election, and this demographic is expected to be an even greater force in the upcoming 2024 election.
RECENT CHAPTER GROWTH
AREAA has a total of 45 chapters all over the country, 7 of which were established within the past five years, from the west coast to the east coast. These 7 chapters joined in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. In the 2022 State of Asia America Report, AREAA included a headline piece titled ‘Beyond The Coasts’ that looked at AANHPI communities outside of these traditional MSAs. Factors like work opportunities, religion, affordability, and education have driven AANHPIs to consider new MSAs. To address the constantly growing and spreading AANHPI population, AREAA has founded these new chapters, providing community and support for real estate professionals in these areas.
Napa Solano & Ventura County
Despite seeing overall net negative migration, California remains the cultural and population hub for the AANHPI community. As the population expands beyond the largest hubs (Los Angeles, the Bay Area, San Diego), AREAA chapters will follow. Census estimates show that Napa County is estimated to have 10,753 individuals who identify as Asian alone, while Ventura County has 64,923 Asian alone.
Greater Milwaukee
The Midwest has many of the most affordable MSAs in the country. As a percentage, many regions within the Midwest have seen the highest growth in AANHPI communities in their areas. Linguistic barriers tend to be more common in these areas as there is less likely to be a well-established AANHPI community in these areas. In addition to affordability, religion and refugee status are two factors that drive AANHPI migration to the Midwest.
Milwaukee has a major presence of Hmong (100K population), Lao, Vietnamese and Burmese refugees. University of Wisconsin, agricultural history, and Microsoft buying property and investing $1 billion, bringing a lot of high-tech jobs, large medical campuses, and pharmaceutical schools.
Columbus
Columbus/Central Ohio has a population of over 32,500 AANHPIs. Asian immigration is also driven by education, as Ohio State University has a student body of 8.6% Asian. As part of AREAAs mission and strategic goals to grow, the large population and affordable home prices of Columbus made it an ideal location to begin a new chapter.
Charlotte Metro
As of July 2019, there are 70K+ AANHPI living in the area. There are 35K AANHPI homeowners who can benefit from the chapter.
There are no established organizations for the AANHPII community in the state, so a platform was vital in making our voices on housing and real estate heard.
Many AANHPI real estate owners are not served well by real estate professionals in the local area due to cultural differences.
Greater Birmingham
The South has many work opportunities that attract Asian immigration. Newer tech jobs, manufacturing plants from companies like Mazda and Toyota, healthcare jobs, and other high skilled employment opportunities garners significant attention from AANHPI immigrants.
Greater Jacksonville
Home to over 50,000 Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander residents. Jacksonville alone has Florida’s largest Filipino community, along with Indian and Vietnamese communities.
JOURNEYS FROM OUR MEMBERS
As diverse as the Asian American immigration story is, there are some notable and universal common denominators including the desire for a better life. By highlighting the immigration journeys of AREAA members and their families, we remember how significant it is to belong in America.
My family’s journey from the Philippines to the United States is a testament to resilience, determination, and the pursuit of a better life. In the early 1950's, amidst the turmoil of post-war Philippines, my father, at the tender age of 19, made a life-changing decision. With his own father having passed away at the young age of 35, leaving behind a widowed mother and five children, my father felt the weight of responsibility. Both his parents were teachers during World War II, instilling in him the values of education and perseverance.
As the eldest of 5 children, ranging from 2 years to 19 years old, my father had few options other than to drop out of college and decided to join the US Navy (USN). My father told me it was at this time, the USN was recruiting Filipino nationals and this was an opportunity to make a difference for his family. He liked to be known as the "OG" batch of Filipino nationals who were part of this elite group of soldiers, who to this day are still a tight-knit group. He recounts stories of how scared he was to leave his family behind, but knew in his heart this choice was inevitable. His fearless spirit and unwavering resolve were evident as he embarked on this journey to support his mother and siblings.
It was during his service in Subic Bay, Philippines, that he met my mother as she was working on base at a civilian job. Together, they built a life in Honolulu first and San Diego where we were all born and raised. The stories my mother tells me of how challenging it was as a "Navy" wife to be raising 3 children in a foreign land, while in her early 20's at the time, was hard to imagine. Without any extended family support, they did the best they could to give myself and my two sisters all the opportunities to thrive in the US.
My father’s dedication extended beyond his immediate family. He played a pivotal role in bringing his five siblings to the United States, offering them the opportunity to escape the hardships of post-war Philippines and seek a brighter future. Their journey to America was not without challenges. Despite being collegeeducated, they took on any jobs available to establish themselves in their new homeland.
Their story is a true embodiment of the American Dream. Through hard work, determination, and a strong work ethic, they built successful lives for themselves and their families. They instilled in their children the importance of respecting the American way of life while preserving the rich Filipino values of family, unity, and support.
In 1999, I left India and moved to the U.S. with an engineering background. I had family already living in North Carolina, including my uncle and my wife's family, which is how I ended up in Charlotte. I found early success in corporate banking, focusing on process improvement. Along the way, I bought a gas station and at the closing table, noticed a commission on the statement going to someone who wasn't even present. Intrigued, I decided to explore a career in commercial real estate (CRE). After getting my real estate license, I tried to join big-name CRE firms but faced rejection from all. Frustrated but undeterred, I decided to hang my license with a smaller firm and began my CRE journey. After obtaining my CCIM and years of successful commercial consulting, I transitioned to development and recently acquired an EB5 Regional Center to expand my development projects and syndicate funds internationally. When I’m not working, I’m with my family, including my two boys who enjoy playfully teasing me about my English.
RANDOLPH ANTONIO Aloha Chapter
KIRAN PATEL Charlotte Metro Chapter
CA Orange County
Chapter
In the summer of 1974, my courageous mother made a bold decision that would forever change our lives. With three young children—all under the age of 5—and just three suitcases, she left Seoul, Korea, to seek a new beginning in the United States, driven by the hope of a better life and the promise of the “American Dream.” I was the youngest, too small to comprehend the magnitude of our journey, but I could sense the mix of fear and hope in her eyes as she led us into an unknown future.
My father joined us a year later, and together they navigated the challenges of starting anew in a foreign land. Like many Korean families at the time, we began with very little. We opened a small liquor store in Los Angeles, and squeezed into a tiny apartment, speaking only a few words of English. Every day was a struggle, but my parents worked tirelessly, saving every penny until we had enough to move to Orange County. There, with the same determination, they opened a dry cleaners, which became a testament to their hard work and resilience. Their perseverance paid off when they were finally able to buy our first home—a moment that felt like a victory, a tangible sign that we were making it in America.
Growing up, I witnessed what homeownership meant to my parents. It wasn’t just a roof over our heads; it was a symbol of their sacrifices, courage, and the dreams they held for our future. Our home was more than a building; it was a sanctuary and a testament to everything they had overcome.
CARMEN CHONG
San Francisco Penninsula
Chapter
Born in the beautiful Caribbean city of Bluefields, Nicaragua, my story began with a family shaped by adventure and resilience. My great-grandfather had immigrated to Nicaragua during the gold rush, seeking fortune and new opportunities. His journey set the stage for my dad, who met my mom in Canton, China, while studying at university. Their marriage brought them to Nicaragua, where they joined my grandfather in running the family business.
My childhood was typical in many ways—attending school and helping out in the family business. At 7 years old, we owned a restaurant, and I found myself doing everything from cashiering to assisting the kitchen, washing dishes, and waitressing. Life wasn’t always easy, but I watched my parents work tirelessly as they transitioned from the import/export business to restaurants, and eventually added a retail store where I learned the art of negotiation.
Life seemed normal until one day, everything changed—we had to leave our home and move to the outskirts, staying with family friends as war loomed over Nicaragua. The country was in turmoil, with the Sandinistas and guerrillas creating an uncertain and dangerous environment. School stopped, and there was no helping in the business—just waiting. One day, my mom informed us that we were leaving the country, except for my dad and grandma, as our lives were in danger. However, just two hours before our departure, my mother made the painful decision to stay behind with my three younger siblings as well. She told my older brother and me, then teenagers, that we would be leaving the country with family and friends. That day marked my life forever. Leaving my family behind and not knowing what awaited me in a foreign country forced me to grow up quickly.
It took 40 days before we could leave the country. As the plane was about to land in San Francisco in 1979, I looked out the window, overwhelmed by a mix of emotions. I was in a strange new country, starting a new life far from the warmth of my family. I had to learn a new language, adjust to living in a house that wasn’t mine, and navigate the uncertainty of my future. My brother felt the same, but we had each other. The rest is history. After all we endured, we are thankful to have found a place we can finally call home.
JULIE TRAN
Q A &
Jamie Tian
Photographer: Stacy Keck (@stacykeck)
Jamie Tian’s presidency aligns perfectly with where AREAA is heading. After celebrating 20 years as an organization, AREAA installed Jamie as their National President in Chicago last October. Seven months later she would provide opening remarks at the Diversity & Fair Housing Summit in Washington, D.C. and announce AREAA’s lawsuit challenging Florida’s SB 264, a state law that greatly restricts people from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria from purchasing real property in the state. The law, which almost completely prohibits Chinese citizens and people domiciled in China from buying property in the state, was very personal for Jamie. Jamie’s immigration story is both unique and similar to many AREAA members and Asian Americans. Her mother and father came to the U.S. as PhD students, leaving Jamie behind with her grandparents. As a young child, when she was able to reunite with them, she witnessed the work ethic needed to remain in the United States and obtain homeownership. Homeownership access was so meaningful to Jamie and her family because it was so impossible for her family to obtain in China. For them, it was truly an American Dream.
Jamie’s personal story is also an inspiring one. She went on to graduate from UCLA, and started her own real estate practitioner journey while in college. It didn’t take long for Jamie to be very successful in Los Angeles and achieve NAR’s prestigious 30 Under 30 award in 2017. Since
then, Jamie has grown her leadership abilities, serving as a volunteer leader at AREAA first as the A-list Task Force Chair and then as the Luxury Committee Chair. As she’s grown as a leader, so too has her ability to connect her personal story with AREAA’s vision—Changing Lives through Real Estate.
"As Jamie has grown as a leader, so too has her ability to connect her personal story with AREAA’s vision— Changing Lives through Real Estate."
Photographer: Stacy Keck (@stacykeck)
How would you define yourself in three words?
Ambitious, compassionate, resilient
What is your favorite day of the week? Friday
What is your favorite animal? Dogs
How long have you known your husband Jason? 18 years
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Always be honest and stay true to your values, no matter the circumstances.
What is your favorite sport to play and to watch?
To play: Golf
To watch: Basketball
How competitive are you?
Very competitive
What is your favorite snack food?
Watermelon
What is your biggest achievement?
Becoming the National President of AREAA
What would you like your biggest achievement as National President to be?
Defeating discriminatory land laws across the country such as SB264 in Florida
What was your first car?
Toyota Camry
How do you relax?
Hang out by the pool with my dog
Photographer: Stacy Keck
What is a skill that you are working on?
Improving my delegation skills to better distribute responsibilities and empower others within the team.
How does that skill apply to your upcoming AREAA National Presidential term and what you’d like to accomplish?
Delegation will allow me to focus on the bigpicture strategy, while empowering other leaders to take ownership of important initiatives, ensuring our goals are met efficiently.
Most adventurous thing you’ve done in your life?
Paddled 15 miles on a canoe down the Colorado River around Horseshoe Bend
What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
I don’t eat sushi
What’s one ingredient you put in everything?
Hot sauce or chili oil
What would you like AREAA’s reputation to be?
A leading voice in promoting homeownership opportunities in the real estate industry.
If your life were a song, what would the title be?
Hotel California
What’s the weirdest word in the English language?
Discombobulate
How would you like to be remembered?
A visionary leader who inspired others and created lasting change in the real estate industry.
Photographer: Stacy Keck (@stacykeck)
Photographer: Stacy Keck (@stacykeck)
COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH CONTENT EXPANDING AREAA
AREAA’s More than One Series debuted in 2021 when the State of Asia America report was beginning to disaggregate Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander data. Led by past president Amy Kong and in partnership with Anywhere, the More than One series focuses on the immigration series that define AREAA members’ journeys. Special guests include Tom Truong, Vicky Silvano, Tina Mak, Hiroko Nishikawa Naumann and GieFaan Kim. Their insights provide valuable cultural understanding of the different subgroups featured (Vietnam, Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea) and also share their own personal stories of coming to the U.S. and navigating real estate. A great resource for anyone interested in expanding their network and deepening their cultural knowledge, the More than One Series is available to view on areaa.org and on AREAA’s YouTube channel @areaa.national.
The ACE (Asian Code of Etiquette) series started in 2021 with AREAA leaders Amy Kong and Tim Hur. In partnership with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and co-hosted by Teresa Palacios Smith, the ACE series focuses on the importance of knowing cultural nuances when working with specific AANHPI subgroups. Episodes range from making a great first impression to knowing when to use chopsticks versus a fork. Filipino, Indian, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Japanese cultural traditions and etiquette are shared and compared from the perspective of AREAA leaders including Allen Okamoto, Allen Chiang, Hope Atuel, Raj Rajpal and Malyna Phan. By examining etiquette, the ACE series is a great way to better your cultural understanding and strengthen your relationships with clients. View the series today on areaa.org and on AREAA’s YouTube channel @areaa.national.
GieFaan Kim and his family in Philadelphia
2022 AREAA
National President
Tim Hur, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at HomeServices of America Teresa Palacios Smith and AREAA Founding Chairman Allen Okamoto.
GieFaan Kim and his brother CeFaan in front of the White House
If you're like us, then it's likely that you've spent the past few years inundated with short-form content across social media platforms. Like tapas, these bite-sized videos are incredibly addictive and easy to share. Well, to invoke the classic idiom, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!
AREAA National has launched a new series of short, animated videos. While the topics may vary, each video explains an important topic and breaks it down into a more digestible form. Our video, Feng Shui: Fact or Fiction, voiced by Jamie Tian, was so successful that Architectural Digest included it in their webpage on the topic.
Here is a quick summary of some of the videos:
Housing Affordability: Supply and Accessibility
Two-part videos that discuss topics from our Housing Affordability White Paper.
Alien Land Laws
Past AREAA President Tim Hur discusses the rise of Alien Land Laws around the country and how this can impact the AANHPI community
Feng Shui: Fact or Fiction
AREAA President Jamie Tian explains what feng shui is and how it can affect real estate transactions
Membership
AREAA Committee Chair Crystal Ansay shares an inspirational message about the value of AREAA membership
Scan the QR code below to view all of our animations.
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SAVE THE DATE
May 21-23, 2025
Park Hyatt, Washington, D.C.
SAVE THE DATE
October 2-4, 2025
Fairmont Miramar, Santa Monica, California
BEST OF AREAA REVAMPED!
AREAA recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, but that doesn't mean we are shy about innovating. This year, the Best of AREAA rewards have been revamped to make the categories more straightforward, equitable, and mission oriented. This means that, not only are there more opportunities for smaller and newer chapters to receive the distinction they deserve, but the focus has been shifted more to what matters most: AREAA's mission of serving the AANHPI community.
Congratulations to the winners!
Greater Philadelphia Chapter
San Francisco Peninsula Chapter
L.A Coastal Chapter
ADVOCACY
Awarded to the chapter that excels at contributing and bringing awareness to AREAA’s mission and policy priorities. AREAA's advocacy efforts support both leadership and membership; our members are offered leadership opportunities and are able to make crucial policy changes within their local areas. For Greater Philadelphia Chapter, they had a diverse range of participation within the past year to prove their advocacy. During their visit to this year’s Diversity and Fair Housing Summit alone, 9 members met with 7 various legislators’ offices to amplify the voice of AANHPIs in the legislative process. This legislative outreach is complimented with other events that the chapter hosted to further strengthen the impact of AANHPI voices to presidential candidates such as the Presidential Town Hall at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Their collaboration with Pennsylvania officials to advocate for policy changes will hopefully support the state’s AANHPI community while overcoming barriers to homeownership. Congratulations Greater Philadelphia Chapter!
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Awarded to the chapter that hosts an event that enhances the careers and provides professional development for its members. Not only does this create a superb membership value proposition, but supporting the careers of AREAA's members creates more robust housing opportunities for underserved communities. San Francisco Peninsula Chapter demonstrated this through a combination of big events and quarterly webinars that aimed to inform attendants of updates in the real estate market and industry for both members and their clients. Their signature event, the Annual Homewise Expo, highlights this ability to improve professional development by providing guidance on homeownership while featuring sessions of prominent keynote speakers to provide insights into the real estate industry. Congratulations San Francisco Peninsula Chapter!
CHAPTER SUSTAINABILITY
Awarded to the chapter that ensures that their chapter structure is strong year after year to prepare the next cohort of leadership for success. While not always flashy for social media, it is essential for AREAA's long-term success that our chapters are run by effective leaders with a strong vision for the future. Ensuring timely elections and an organized governance is a top priority, and we celebrate the chapter that exemplifies this. In 2024, L.A Coastal Chapter has developed a sound system for their organization and succession planning. They use many methods for organizing their chapter including event tracking sheets, sponsor intake forms, shared vendor and sponsor databases, marketing templates, as well as advanced planning for their events to strategize the maximization of attendance for each one. The chapter boasts a succession plan of leadership for the next 2 years, as it is fortified by past, present, and future chapter leaders alike. With a 100% retention rate of its 2024 Board Members, the chapter dedicates one day for their leadership training. Congratulations L.A Coastal Chapter!
BEST OF AREAA REVAMPED!
San Diego Chapter
Greater Chicago Chapter
Greater Chicago Chapter
Awarded to the chapter that demonstrates service to the community through charitable or philanthropic or even volunteerism such as beach clean-up. The best way to integrate into the community is to service the community and we encourage participation at all levels. San Diego Chapter emphasizes their way of giving back to their local community by collaborating with various nonprofit organizations like Filipino American Law Enforcement Organization, Veterans Association Real Estate Professionals, Habitat for Humanity, and San Diego Food Bank to offer revitalization projects and financial literacy programs that could benefit the community. They have organized several community outreach events like homebuyer education seminars and charity fundraisers that helped endorse their homebuyer grant program. Other general community services that the chapter has done include collaborating with a low-income senior housing community to provide for seniors, working with Power Unified School District to give supplies to students of families with housing instability or homelessness, as well as teaming up with Humble Deisgn to furnish a deserving family’s house using donated home goods. Congratulations San Diego Chapter!
2024 CHAPTER OF THE YEAR
Awarded to the chapter that had exemplary performance in all aspects: Professional Development, Advocacy, Chapter Sustainability, and Community Service. With extensive supplementary evidence provided for each category, Greater Chicago Chapter won the Chapter of the Year Award by documenting a multitude of events and strategies dedicated to the chapter’s overall success this year. The chapter did well to prepare an explanation for each of its 9 events that endorsed professional development with a variety of objectives like enhancing Chinese cultural awareness, ways to build generational wealth for underserved communities, or clarifying misconceptions within the real estate industry. In terms of advocacy, Greater Chicago Chapter engaged with local and national policymakers alike to ensure AANHPI representation through their own policy events while working with other various organizations in a coalition to help prevent the over-taxation of properties in Chicago. Their annual strategic planning makes sure that the chapter sustains itself by setting goals and addressing challenges, followed by a midyear review to assess chapter progress and make adjustments for the remaining months of the year. Twelve events from Greater Chicago were committed to community service with many given ways to improving people’s lives such as fundraising $6000 for the AREAA Foundation’s Maui Relief Efforts, or winning 3rd place out of 33 boats in the Dragon Boat Race for Literacy event. Congratulations Greater Chicago Chapter!
G REATER
SPOTLIGHT ON NEVADA
Asian American, Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) voters are poised to play a more significant role in the 2024 elections than ever before. As hundreds of thousands of AANHPIs enter the electorate through naturalization and through the aging of the native-born population, AAPI Data has seen record increases in turnout among AANHPI eligible voters in 2016 and 2020, as well an expansion and shifting of congressional and presidential battleground maps since 2018 that have made AANHPI voters more relevant than in prior elections. When focused only on states that are Tossup or Leaning, AAPI Data finds that AAPI voters are poised to make their strongest impact in Nevada with 12% of the electorate, which is close to 10% higher than any other state.
Source: https://aapidata.com/featured/battlegrounds-aanhpi-2024/
409,839 45.1% 8.02%
Many Filipinos living in Hawaii and California have relocated to the Las Vegas area to escape skyrocketing housing prices, while others have come directly from the Philippines after being recruited by local hospitals and the Clark County School District to address local shortages of nurses and special education teachers.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/2af94377a5d14d788a1eee67e1851a30
Last year, the Census Bureau announced that the majority of Native Hawaiians now live outside of Hawaii, their ancestral homeland. An estimated 370,000 Native Hawaiians are now living on the mainland, compared to about 309,000 living in Hawaii.
Beckoned not by the bright lights of the Strip but the lure of financial freedom, Hawaii natives have flocked to the Ninth Island in droves over the last decade — building a welcoming Hawaii oasis in the desert.
Because while a lower cost of living might have brought them to Las Vegas, islanders in Sin City say it is the rich efforts to perpetuate island cultures and customs there that convinced them to stay. Transplants in Vegas hold cultural festivals, open plate lunch and poke eateries, and dance with thriving halau.
Source: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/05/31/hnn-special-priced-out-paradise-theyve-built-new-connections-community-las-vegas/
By 2019, the number of Asian-owned small businesses in Nevada grew by about 5,000 in the past five years, according to Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce.
More than 300 are located in Clark County’s Chinatown retail district, a 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) stretch of a main thoroughfare west of the Strip. The corridor, laden with restaurants packed into strip malls, offers a culinary journey featuring spicy Indian curries, sour Korean kimchi, savory Japanese ramen and more.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/2af94377a5d14d788a1eee67e1851a30
IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE ACCESS
Per the 2022 AAVS, of Asian Americans speaking non-English languages at home, 11% reported language barriers to voting and 42% stated voting assistance in their language would be utilized. (National level data).
53.3% of Asian American adults in NV speak a language other than English at home.
Tagalog (84,532)
Korean (10,106)
Chinese (32,390)
Japanese (5,533)
Vietnamese (19,819)
TOP 5 ASIAN LANGUAGES SPOKEN IN NV
24.4% of Asian American adults in NV are Limited English Proficient (speak English less than “Very well”)
(2,344)
(770)
Hawaiian (493)
TOP NHPI LANGUAGES WITH 100+ ESTIMATED SPEAKERS IN NV
Samoan
Chamorro
Chinatown Plaza, Las Vegas Nevada
Clark County, Las Vegas Nevada
Guests participate in a traditional Filipino Kamayan lunch and caucus training event in Las Vegas.
Hawaii transplants have launched island-focused businesses in Hawaii. (Hawaii News Now)
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Wells Fargo proudly supports organizations like AREAA that are doing more for the Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community
This information is not intended for distribution to consumers, the public or third parties beyond the intended business recipient. Information is accurate as of the date of printing and is subject to change without notice. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. © 2024 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. NMLSR ID 399801. AP6089279 09/2025 IHA-7959804
2024 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Jamie Tian 2024/2025 President
William Wang 2024 Vice-President
Kurt Nishimura Immediate Past President
Justin Wong 2024 Secretary
Allen Okamoto Founding Chairman/ Chairman Emeritus
Hope Atuel CEO/Executive Director
Hanh Hua 2024 Treasurer
John Yen Wong Founding Chairman/ Chairman Emeritus
Jim Park Chairman Emeritus
ADVISORS TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Allen Chiang Chairman Of Global
Nancy Obando Chairwoman Of Foundation
2024 DELEGATE BOARD
Henry Choi Boston Chapter President /Member Services Vice Chair
Crystal Ansay Member Services Committee Chair
Gloria Cepin New York East Chapter President
Michael Fong Brooklyn Chapter President
Lori Goto Chapter Development Committee Chair
Jimmy Chang Atlanta Metro Chapter President
Jim Cinelli New York Manhattan Chapter President
James Huang 2020 National President
Cleo Aquino Greater Chicago Chapter President
Peter Au Presidential Appointee
Ann Chang San Francisco Peninsula Chapter President
Bowie Chu Greater Miami Chapter President
Rodelyn Frijas Columbus Chapter President
Tam Hixson Portland Chapter President
Marilou Bernardo Inland Empire Chapter President
Tosha Chang Austin Chapter President
Jason Covita Central Valley Chapter President
Julio Gomez Ventura County Chapter President
Odney Bredy Greater Orlando Chapter President
Derek Cheung Greater Toronto Chapter President
Sumir Desai CA OC Chapter President
Linda Goss Charlotte Metro Chapter President
Taehoon Gang Greater Los Angels Chapter President
Tim Hur 2022 National President
Nak Hoon Jung Twin-Cities Chapter President
2024 DELEGATE BOARD
Imelda Leano North Los Angeles Chapter President
Justin Li Vancouver Chapter President
Angela Mckee Greater Jacksonville Chapter President
Erwin Park Greater Seattle Chapter President
Jonathan Lee Greater Sacramento Chapter President
Nicholas Lichwick DC Metro Chapter President
Abby Nguyen-Burke Policy Committee Chair
Malyna Phan Mortgage Committee Chair
Amanda Lee theEDGE Committee Chair
Tracy Li Commercial Committee Chair
Manisha Munikar Greater Birmingham Chapter President/ Policy Committee Vice Chair
Andrew Peters Presidential Appointee
Victor Lee Houston Chapter President
Caron Ling Social Media Task Force Vice Chair
Jasmine Nguyen theEDGE Committee Vice Chair
Andy Leung Greater Denver Chapter President
Kenny Lostica Napa Solano Chapter President
Shane Nguyen Luxury Committee Vice Chair
Danny Leung Luxury Committee Chair
Yvonne McFadden Greater Phoenix Chapter President
Melissa Okabe LA Coastal Chapter President
Thomas Kiyabu Aloha Chapter President
Michael Kwok Tri-County Chapter President
Amy Kong 2021 National President
Alex Lago Greater East Bay Chapter President
Tom Truong 2019 National President
Steven Tran Presidential Appointee
Lisa Reeves Greater Tampa Bay Chapter President
Eric Tai San Diego Chapter President
Crystal Tani Las Vegas Chapter President
Jue Wang Commercial Committee Vice Chair
Sophear Wilson San Antonio Chapter President
Linda Vo Dallas / Fort Worth Chapter President
Viral Vora Silicon Valley Chapter President
Jennifer Yang Mortgage Committee Vice Chair
Kelley Yee Central New Jersey Chapter President
Soo Yu Northern New Jersey Chapter President