Achievements

•  Recipient of prestigious community service award, " Citizen of the Year " (2002) in City of Oakland. Nominated and selected by local business, labor and community service leaders.

•  Chief Architect of the 1989-1993 Electoral Re-Districting effort. Demonstrated experience in building coalitions around complex political issues across broad spectrum of community interests.

•  Served on numerous non-profit, charity and community organizations including:

•  Oakland Potluck (Board of Director - recovery food program to feed those in need).

•  International Dragon Boat Association (Founder and President - cross cultural and community development program dedicated to youth, families and seniors. Programming included preservation of art and culture, small business development, and environmental causes and concerns in our waterways).

•  Jack London Aquatic Center (Board of Director - Aquatic Programming for Youth)

•  Oakland Development Council (Honorary Member - creating a better business climate for small contractors). and developers)

•  League of Women Voters (Board of Director - Primary Interest was in Responsible and Responsive Governance and a More Participatory Democracy).

•  Oakland Asian Cultural Center (Board of Director - Education Project - Preservation of Asian art and culture).

•  Oakland Police Department (Community Representative on Selection Board).

•  Oakland Fire Department (Community Representative on Selection Board).

•  Reinstatement of consumer's right to a legal remedy in the event of airline negligence. Case: Gee vs. Southwest - Briefed at U.S. Supreme Court. A public policy issue handled by Oakland's John Burris and Ralph Nader's Public Citizen's Litigation Group.

•  Established a State-certified Apprenticeship program in 12 trades (HVAC, Electrician, Maintenance Mechanic, Welder, Carpenter, Painters, Auto Mechnic, etc.)

•  Created job and career-oriented programs for chronically unemployed and women with dependent children (Vaccumn Technology Program) using Department of Labor's funds.

•  Creator of job and career-oriented program for seasonal migrant farmworkers (Electronic Technician Program) using State of California's Governor's Discretionary funds.

•  Founder of the "dragon boat project" held annually at Jack London Square. Producer of the annual "International Dragon Boat Festival", the 2001 Regional Dragon Boat Championship(West Coast States - Nevada, Oregon, Washington, California, Hawaii) and the 2002 Dragon Boat National Championship (dragon boat teams from throughout United States). Bringing the sport of dragon boating to the region as a means of youth intervention and cross-cultural, community development and establishing Oakland as an international destination city for dragon boat events.

Blind Ambition dragon boaters dig in their paddies.