CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2022-2024 AAAB OFFICERS & BOARD MEMBERS
(Taiwan)
Vera Hu
Chairwomen (2022-2024) & Board Member
Born in central Taiwan, Vera Hu came to the United States in 1993 and received his Master of Science in Mathematics from Penn State University in 2003. Besides teaching, she has been very passionate serving in various capacities in campus activities, including but not limited to, as member of Ammerman Campus Executives council/Campus Senate and Senate-At Large, professional development committee, Distance Education Committee and as cultural director of the Long Island Little Dragons Chinese School Inc. in the Middle Country School District. She has published Pre-Calculus and Calculus interactive workbook in GeoGebra.
Vera joined the Suffolk County Asian American Advisory Board in 2010, and served as, among many other function, the project chair of Suffolk County Professional Leadership Seminar since 2014; and Event chair of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration in 2015.
She has developed the Suffolk County Youth leadership program in 2017.
(Bangladesh)
Mohammed Zillur Rahman – Vice Chairman (2022-2024) &
(2020 – 2022) Corresponding Secretary (2018-2020) & Board Member
Mohammed Zillur Rahman was born and raised in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. He is an energetic and active man. He attended the National University of Bangladesh where he was the secretary of organization for the Student Government. He moved to the U.S.A as an immigrant in 1990. He resides in Ronkonkoma, with his wife and two daughters. He was a student leader in his high school, college and in the university. He was a strong and effective sports organizer in the local sub-district and district level sports activities. He is himself is a very good sports man. He started his career in the U.S.A. in pharmaceutical industries. He was the Vice-President of BI NUTRACEUTICAl, Inc. located in Hauppauge, New York for five years. Currently He serving as a Manufacturing supervisor at InvaGen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. located in Hauppauge New York. Also he is a prominent and capable leader of the mid Suffolk Bangladeshi Muslim community. He have been serving the Bangladeshi Community living in Suffolk for over 20 years and he is serving the AAAB’s since 2010.
(Vietnam)
Dr. Hue Anh Pham – Recording Secretary & Treasurer (2022-2024) and
(2020 – 2022) & (2018-2020) & Board Member
Hue Anh Pham was born in Vietnam. She received a Bachelor of Science from New York State University at Stony Brook, a MBA from CW Post, Long Island University, New York, and a Doctorate in Management from University of Maryland University College. Pham is working at a National Scientific Research Institution in Long Island, New York, and teaching part time at a local college. Dr. Pham taught at a French school and held a variety of managerial positions in non-profit organizations.
(China)
Shaorui Li, Ph.D., – Coresponding Secretary, Youth leadership chairwomen (2023 – ) & Board Member
Shaorui Li has a doctoral degree in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University, has worked as an engineer, a scientist, and a research group manager in the consumer electronics industry and two national laboratories for more than 15 years, founded a technology startup company (Lismikro Inc.) and a not-for-profit organization (Asian American Association of Greater Stony Brook Inc.).
She is also a CASE Scientist At-Large of the University of Chicago and a Lab Innovation Fellow of Fermilab. Dr. Li has been an active volunteer supporting the local communities and holds several leadership positions: elected Director (2022-present) and President (2020-2022) of Asian American Association of Greater Stony Brook, Elected Board Trustee of Three Village Central School District (2021-present), Elected Chair of AANHPI Town of Brookhaven Advisory Board (2021-present). As a board member of Suffolk County Asian American Advisory Board, Dr. Li brings her passion for promoting the Asian American community to build an efficient and effective channel to Suffolk County offices, and advance local businesses and civic participation.
(China)
Yan Yu, Ph.D., – Board Member, 2022 Lunar New Year Co-Chairwomen,
2023 Lunar New Year Chairwomen & Board Member
(India)
P.O. Thomas Joy – Board Member
Thomas entered the law enforcement career field as a Police Officer in 2007 with the City of Mount Vernon Police Department and then with the Suffolk County Police Department starting in 2010 where he currently serves. Thomas earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY in 2007. Thomas was the founding member of the Suffolk County Police Asian Jade Society (currently the Vice-President) in 2014 and the American Malayalee Law Enforcement United (AMLEU) in 2020 and became its first President. Both organizations focus on community outreach, scholarships for college students and other philanthropic efforts.
(Korea)
Lucie Kwon – Board Member
She has also served as a guest Moot Court Attorney at the Federal Bureau of InvestigationComputer Analysis Response Team training program.During her tenure with the SCDAO she served in several bureaus, including the Major CrimeBureau, White Collar Bureau, and Asset Forfeiture Unit. In January 2022, the HonorableRaymond Tierney, District Attorney of Suffolk County, appointed Lucie to her current position -Bureau Chief of the Financial Crimes Bureau. Lucie serves distinctively as the first Asian BureauChief in the history of Suffolk County government. As a board member of the Asian JadeSociety, Lucie will continue to be a positive voice for those underserved and underrepresentedin our government.
(Nepal)
Kalpana Thapa – Board Member & 2023 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration event chairwomen
Overview:
I am an entrepreneur since 2013 and running a small business on Long Island.
By profession an Esthetician.
Education:
Master of environmental and safety management,University
Bachelor of Bioscience, Calcutta university, Kolkata, INDIA
Other Experience:
Worked as various positions and served at various organizations.
Worked two terms as vice-president at LINS long Island NY. Since 2015-2017,2017-2019
Elected as president of LINS (Long Island Nepalese Society) 2019-2021
Currently on the advisory board LINS.
Serving as committee member at AAAB since 2011 representing Nepal.
Serving AAAB as Board member since 2018.
(Pakistan)
Aamir Sultan – Board Member
Aamir has been living on Long Island since 1990 came to USA for college education completed my college degrees in Computer Science and Management of Technology at NYU Polytechnic University in New York City. Since 1995 I have been working in the technology field at different Wall Street Firms.
Aamir is the President of Muslim Political Action Committee of USA (MPACUSA) and an active Director for Pakistani American Community of New York (PACONY) and Pakistani American Community of Long Island (PACOLI) through these esteemed organizations I have been involved in various Social and Political Efforts for the community including Fund Raising, Current Affairs and Social Awareness. I am also a Country Member (Pakistan) for Multicultural Business Expo an effort spearheaded by New York State Assemblyman Phil Ramos of Long Island to uplift Suffolk County economy and bring multiethnic businesses to Suffolk County Long Island.
(Pakistan)
Hassan A. Ahmed – Board Member
Hassan Ahmed is a South Asian and Muslim American Technology Entrepreneur that dedicates his free time to community service and philanthropic causes. He studied Business Administration and Accounting at SUNY Old Westbury and is currently enrolled in graduate studies at the prestigious Harvard University. Mr. Ahmed serves as a Trustee of the Brentwood Union Free School District, the largest in Long Island. In addition, he serves on the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Anti-Bias Council, Suffolk County Sheriff Advisory Board, as a SCPD 3rd Precinct Ambassador, and on the Town of Islip Unity Council. Mr. Ahmed proudly volunteers with community-based organizations such as Pronto of Long Island, Adelante of Suffolk County, and Youth Enrichment Services. He looks forward to utilizing this position to continue to bridge the gap between local government and the community.
(Philippines)
Belinda Pagdanganan – Board Member, Civis and Community Relations Chair
Bel holds a degree in MBA from Dowling College, a BA in Economics from the University of the Philippines, and is working towards a Masters degree in Technology from the New York Institute of Technology. Bel has over 20 years of management and field experience in emergency planning, disaster preparedness and response. She worked in emergency planning for the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant and then focused on utility preparedness under the former LILCO/KeySpan Corporation. In 2005, Bel accepted the position as Suffolk County’s Director of Emergency Preparedness and later as Deputy Commissioner of Suffolk County’s Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services. She returned to National Grid (formerly KeySpan) in May 2008 as a Manager in Community and Government Relations.
Bel is a volunteer firefighter with the Brentwood Fire Department and currently holds the rank of Captain of their Fire Prevention Company. She is also a member of the Asian Leadership Association in National Grid.
(Philippines)
Evangeline Manjares, A.B., M.A., MSW, LMSW, Ed.D. – Board Member
Evangeline Manjares has progressive managerial, administrative, academic and student development services experience in higher education both in public and private institutions. She worked at Columbia University in the city of New York, Malcolm-King College, an extension of Fordham University, College of Mt. St. Vincent, and Marymount Manhattan College and Nassau Community College. Her student services work encompasses, financial aid, psychological counseling, academic counseling, disabled students, academic advisement, student activities, veterans, service learning, job placement, volunteer services, and other related student services. Acknowledging her true commitment in her work with students and colleagues through thank you notes are humbling and fulfilling. She considers them priceless impact in her duties and personal responsibilities among students, the university, and the community.
She is engaged in worthwhile projects locally, nationally, and internationally. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Silliman University (first American University in the Philippines), College Board National Reviewer for SAT, National Chair of the Silliman University Alumni Association of North America, Supporter of the Bravo-Manjares Learning Center, Southern Christian College, Adviser, Philippine Lacrosse Team, 2004 – present, Vice President, New York Association of Collegiate Military Educators, Chair, Long Island Applied Learning Council and the Long Island Veterans Administrators Council, President, Filipino Children’s Fund, Inc., a 501 © (3) not for profit organization that provides support grassroots organizations in the Philippines, Member, NY Filipinos in the Academe, SUNY(State University of New York) Military/Veterans Advisory Group, SUNY (State University of New York) Applied Learning Advisory Group, and Chair, Staff Parish Relations Committee (Human Resources) in her church.
Dr. Manjares completed her Bachelor’s degree at Silliman University, pursued a Master’s degree in Social Work at the Philippine School of Social Work, Masters in Student Personnel Administration from Columbia University in the city of New York, and her Ed.D. in Higher Education from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.
She has received various awards and the two recent ones are the State University of NY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service and valuable service from the Veterans’ organization. Evangeline’s family lives in Dix Hills, NY.
(Taiwan)
Jim Young, Ph.D. – AAAB Chairman (2016-2019) & Emeritus Chair (2007-2009) &
Board Member
Dr. Jim Yih-Jin Young received his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the National Taiwan University in 1987. He came to the United States to obtain his master and Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. After graduation from the University of Washington, he taught there for two years. He is currently a professor of sociology at Nassau Community College, Garden City, New York. He also teaches adjunct courses at Suffolk County Community College, Brentwood, New York.
He has had extensive involvement with community services. He served as the Advisor of the Taiwanese American Association of Long Island (TAALI) from 2007 to 2009 and was the President of the TAALI in 2007 and Vice President in 2006. In addition, he served as a Board member at the Wellbrook Foundation from 2010 to 2018. Presently, he is the Principal of the Long Island Little Dragon Chinese School. He started this position since 2017.
He has been a Board member of the Suffolk County Executive’s Asian American Adviosry Board since 2005. He served as the Chair of the Board between 2007 and 2009 and from 2015 to preesent. In addition, he has been appointed an Honorable position of Coordinator by Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission, R.O.C. Ministers Yin-Yi Wu and Fu-Mei Chang since 2007. Since 2014, he has been promoted to an Honorable position of Advisor by Minitser of Overseas Compatriot Affairs Comissions, R.O.C.
(Thailand)
Duangduan “Sky” Hughes – Board Member
& Co-Chair (2018-2020)
Sky was born and raised in Thailand. She immigrated to the United States in 1999 and is married with two children. Sky co-manages an investment fund with her husband that takes an active operational and management role in energy companies, financial services companies and technology companies.
Sky is an active member of the Thai community in New York. Currently she is on the board of directors of the Vajira Buddhist Temple and Thai Cultural Center (the “Vajira Center”) with locations in Centereach, New York and Mt. Vernon, New York. Previously she was President of the Vajira Center’s Thai Sunday School for language, dance, music and religion. Sky is the Thai representative for several multi-cultural and Asian-American organizations. She regularly organizes performances that showcase traditional Thai dance and music for charitable and other events, including for the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Thai Embassy in New York and the State University of New York.
Sky became an advisory board member in 2015.
(Taiwan)
Dr. Chung Chi Chou – AAAB Emeritus Chair (2005 -2007)
Dr. Chou was born in Taiwan and received his bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering from National Chung Kung University in Taiwan, a doctorate in Physical Chemistry from Baylor University, Texas, USA in 1968, and began his long career at Domino Sugar Corporation focusing in development and implementation of new processes and analytical methods. In fact about 70 % of new technologies in these field currently in use in the world sugar refining industry were directly or indirectly developed under his supervision at Domino Sugar Corporation. He has been a visiting/research professor of South China University of Technology since 1993, an adjunct professor at Louisiana State University (USA) between 1993 to 1999, and a lecturer at the Cane Refiner’s Institute of Nicholls State University, LA, USA since 1986. In his over forty years of professional career, Dr. Chou has served as chairman, president, board members of various national and international technical organizations andreceived many awards including the Sugar Industry Technologists, Inc. (SIT) Meade Award twice, the prestigious SIT Crystal Award, and NineSigma highest 2008 technical merit award.
I have been living on Long Island since 1990 came to USA for college education completed my college degrees in Computer Science and Management of technology from New York City. Since 1995 I have been working in the technology field at different Wall Street Firms.
(Philippines)
Ramon L. Villongco*, MBA – Elected Chairman (2022-2024), (2020-2022)
Emeritus Chairman (2009-2013) & (2015-2017)
Deceased*
Born in Manila, Philippines, Ramon came to the United States in 1982 and received his Masters of Business Administration at Dowling College, Oakdale, New York. Ramon holds over 25 years of marketing/management experience and with over 20 years in student administration, enrollment services, recruitment, counseling and admissions. He works as an Assistant Director of New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) one of the largest and oldest Osteopathic medical school in the State of New York.
Ramon join the Asian American Advisory Board in 2006, an has been unanimously elected and serving his third consective term as Chairman serving Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. He has received numerous recognitions, citations, proclamations and awards for his leadership, community service and advocacy in helping the earthquake and typhoon victims in Japan, Haiti, Nepal and super typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
Through his efforts, Ramon has facilitated over $1.5 million dollars of medicine and medical supplies donated by the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) to the typhoon victims including MRE’s and bottled water donated by the Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and the during the Super Typhoon Sendong, Haiyan and Typhoon Yolanda.
He also coordinated several Community Medical & Dental screening in collaboration with Tzu Chi International Medical Association of Long Island in Babylon, Amityville and Brentwood, New York, Ramon is an active community leader in the Filipino-American community and has held positions as Board of Directors of the TANGLAW Filipino-American Society of Long Island, Inc., Wellbrook Foundation, Inc., Filipino Children’s Fund, Inc., Order of Knights for Rizal Long Island Chapter, Knights of Columbus, Sunrise Council 6607, served at the Stony Brook University Asian Programming Advisory Committee and former Board Member of the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County.