Chinese Association Elects Officers, Raises Earthquake Relief Funds

Lani Wong, NACA’s chair, poses with Andy Wong, the newly elected president.

The National Association of Chinese-Americans elected new officers at the organization’s annual meeting on May 24, which also served as a fundraising luncheon for victims of the earthquake in China’s Sichuan province. 

In addition to naming its new board, the NACA raised more than $20,000 for earthquake relief efforts.   

Lani Wong was chosen to continue as chair, while Andy Wong, an assistant vice president at Floor and Décor Outlets of America, was installed as the organization’s president.  Henry Yu, last year’s president, moved to Shanghai, China, to take a position at a bank there.

Patrick Ko, chairman and CEO of investment banking and business advisory firm FirsTrust Group Inc., was named senior vice president.

Four vice presidents include Christina Liao, an executive team member at marketing research firm CMI; Barry Chen, a consultant who has traveled to more than 30 countries; Jian Ouyang, a programmer for Delta Air Lines Inc. and Danny Pian, assistant vice president for business development at Century Security Bank.

Ethel Mar will continue as treasurer, and Lisa Xianqin Wallace, product marketing manager for United Parcel Service Inc. Ocean Freight Services, was named secretary.

Board members include Jeff Breedlove, former policy analyst for the Georgia State Senate; Bing Zeng, international marketing specialist for Portman Holdings Inc.; Zhenhua (Steven) Gu, a senior associate at KPMG; Abraham Hui, sales engineer for Heatcraft Refrigeration; Hong Wills, attorney at Smith, Gambrell & Russell LLP and Ying Yi, lead financial analyst at ING.

For more information, visit www.naca-atlanta.org.

 

Coca-Cola North America Hires New Hispanic Marketer

Reinaldo Padua

Coca-Cola North America, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Co., named Reinaldo Padua assistant vice president of Hispanic marketing May 28.

Katie Bayne, chief marketing officer for Coca-Cola North America, said that hiring Mr. Padua highlights the company’s focus on building its brand with Hispanic customers.

“The addition of Reinaldo to our Hispanic marketing team is fundamental to our plans to extend our strong presence and growth within the Hispanic community,” she said.  “Hispanic customers have always been critical to Coca-Cola.”

Mr. Padua, originally from Venezuela, was previously a management consultant at Atlanta-based Zyman Marketing Group Inc., where he specialized in working with food, beverage, retail and insurance clients.

For more information, visit www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

Japanese Consul Honored in Alabama

Larry Swetonic, director, industrial sales of Birmingham, Ala.-based BE&K Inc. and Elmer Harris, honorary consul general of Japan, present the 2008 Samuel Ullman Award to Shoji Ogawa, consul general of Japan, to the Southeast. Photo by Mark Pierson.

Shogi Ogawa, consul general of Japan to the Southeast U.S., was honored at the Japan-America Society of Alabama’s 19th annual dinner in Birmingham, Ala., on May 22.

Mr. Ogawa received the Samuel Ullman Award recognizing individuals who have advanced relations between Japan and Alabama.

Mr. Ullman, an Alabama poet who lived in Birmingham, was the author of the poem “Youth,” which was a favorite of Gen. Douglas McArthur and was posted on his office wall at general headquarters in Tokyo.

Mr. McArthur was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces from 1945-51.

To learn more about the Japan-America Society of Alabama, call Kazuo Moriya, executive director, at (205) 942-4730 or send a email to jasa@mindspring.com.

Israeli Consul Throws First Pitch at Atlanta Braves Game

After signing the baseball, Braves pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes escorts Mr. Mansour off the field.

Reda Mansour, consul general of Israel to the Southeast U.S., threw out the first pitch of the Atlanta Braves-Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game at Turner Field on May 25.

Mr. Mansour’s pitch was part of a celebration of Atlanta’s Kosher Community Day held this year in celebration of Israel’s 60th anniversary.

The Israeli consulate issued a statement describing the pitch as “a straight shot over the plate,” witnessed by some 35,000 attendees. The statement also acknowledged that Mr. Mansour had been coached for the pitch by die-hard Brave fans Mark Pierson and Buck Vaughn.

A pre-game reception in honor of the anniversary held at Turner Field featured kosher food and gift items from the Israeli consulate and the Atlanta Kashruth Commission, an Orthodox organization that supervises the preparation and sale of kosher foods.

For more information, call Michael Printy Arthur at (404) 487-6511 or send an email to media@atlanta.info.gov.il.