Board of Directors 2013
Executive Board:
Co-Presidents: Calvin Fong and Phong La
Treasurer: Kenneth Pon
Secretary: Serena Chen
Board Members:
Maritessa Bravo Ares
Hon. Rob Bonta
Greg Chan
Arnold Fong
Suizi Lin
Louie Martirez
Marilyn Ng
Wayne Nishioka
Jennifer Ong
Meriam Reynosa
Honorable Raj Salwan
Honorable Lena Tam
Albert Wang
Lily Wong
Hon. Nicky Gonzalez Yuen
Professional Biographies:
Phong La, Co-President
Phong La is Vice President and General Counsel of PTR Manufacturing Inc. PTR supplies the flat panel display and solar industry with precision machined and sheet metal parts. Phong also serves as the General Counsel for the Sai La Family LP, a family owned real estate holding company. His legal and real estate experience spans the management, operation, and development of commercial and residential properties in Northern California. Phong is also a licensed Real Estate Broker and Realtor. He has taught courses in Real Estate Law, Real Estate Economics and Property Management at San Jose City College. Phong holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of California at Davis and a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
Phong serves on various boards and commissions. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Bay Area Woman Against Rape (BAWAR), a rape crisis center for men, woman and children serving Alameda County. He also is Vice President and a board member for the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association – Bay Area Chapter (APAPA-BAC), is a board member for the Newark Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Human Relations Commission for the City of Fremont. The Human Relations Commission fosters mutual understanding and respect among the diverse groups of the community, the improvement of inter-personal relations, and works to eliminate prejudice and discrimination.
Phong was born in Vietnam and arrived in America when he was two years old. In his spare time, Phong enjoys fishing, camping, hiking and operating his vineyard. He is a fifth generation fisherman and the first generation in his family not to do it for a living, which is a blessing because he would starve if he did.
Kenneth Pon, Treasurer
Kenneth Pon graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, and now is a CPA with a private practice in downtown San Leandro. His involvement in San Leandro Unified began at the elementary level with the Dads Club, and continued through the middle and secondary levels. He was also the Chairman and treasurer of Yes For Kids! School Bond Committee, served on the District Action Planning Team for Facilities and the District Financial Resource Advisory Committee. Kenneth is a member and past Director of the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, member and past president of the Downtown Business Association and the San Leandro Breakfast Club.
Serena Chen, Board Secretary
Serena Chen has a long history of community advocacy, beginning with fighting for youth, social and health care services for Asian immigrants in Oakland’s Chinatown in the early 1970’s. She worked with fellow community activists in successfully advocating for youth, employment, mental health and health care services, as well as for the inclusion of a library, cultural center, and affordable housing in the Chinatown redevelopment area now called Pacific Renaissance Plaza. Serena currently organizes community support for tobacco control and other clean air policies in Alameda County and other Bay Area communities.