About APAEA

We are a voluntary employee organization in the U.S. Forest Service who believe that diversity is a source of strength and an asset to our Agency.  Our identities provide national and global perspectives on land, natural resources, civil rights, and workforce management.  We honor the past and present achievements and contributions of Asian/Pacific Islanders who serve the Agency in “Caring for the Land and Serving People.”  We strive for common ground, and proactively address opportunities and resolution.  We promote inclusive engagement and collaboration among Forest Service employees, Agency leadership, and our Asian/Pacific Islander public.  Our actions bridge social and cultural differences.  We demonstrate these values through our accomplishments.

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Mission

- To promote Asian Pacific Islander employee career development, leadership, talent management and retention in the Forest Service

- To enhance the Forest Service’s cultural and intergenerational competency in serving its employees and diverse public

- To provide a forum for those interested in Asian/Pacific Islander issues and opportunities to network, mentor, share common ground, seek solutions and cultivate a sense of community

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Constitution & Bylaws

A special “Thank-You” is in order to the USFS APAEA task group who helped to draft the APAEA Constitution & Bylaws in February 2011:

Cliff Alagar (Region 6), Bov Eav (PNW Research Station), John Kusano (WO Research & Development), Judy Suing (Region 4), Wes Wong (Region 6), Mary Marrs (Region 6).  Their insightfulness, keen sense of logic, and patience helped finalize the version that was accepted by USDA.  The Association also thanks many of you who provided feedback and review of the early versions.

 

APAEA Constitution and Bylaws

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History

APAEA was established in 1993 by U.S. Forest Service Chief Dale Robertson as an officially-recognized employee group within the Agency.  APAEA started as a grassroots effort in California and grew to include employees across the Regions, Research Stations, State & Private Areas and the Washington Office (WO).

 

Six Chairs have served APAEA, including Region 2′s Corey Wong, Region 8′s Liz Agpaoa, Region 6′s  Dale Hom,  Region 6′s Mary Marrs, then-Region 3’s Yewah Lau, and currently WO’s Liz Berger.  Throughout the years, the Chairs served with the assistance of an Executive Committee, Advisory Group, members throughout the Agency, and APAEA champion Jerry Sesco (WO Research and Development).  Deputy Chief of National Forest System, Leslie Weldon, now advises APAEA at the national executive level.

 

Some accomplishments include:

-Championed the selection of the first Asian Pacific American (APA) Forest Supervisor in the Forest Service

-Partnered with Regions 5 & 6, PSW & PNW Research Stations, and WO to implement the national APA Community Outreach and Program Delivery project to increase participation of the Asian public in Forest Service programs

-Championed the UC Davis Multicultural Workforce Strategic Initiative for the recruitment of APA students

-Sponsored educational, cultural, heritage, natural resource, and community events with employees, APA community leaders, scholars, students, & cultural organizations