About VAAB
Overview
The Virginia Asian Advisory Board was created by Executive Order in 2001 by former Governor Mark R. Warner to build better business relations and advise the Governor regarding issues affecting the Asian community. The VAAB was signed into law and codified two years later on June 12, 2003
The purpose of the Board shall be to advise the Governor on ways to improve economic and cultural links between the Commonwealth and Asian nations, with a focus on the areas of commerce and trade, art and education, and general government; as well as issues affecting the Asian community in the Commonwealth.
The Virginia Asian Advisory Board meets four times a year to discuss issues facing the Asian community in Virginia and develops an annual report to the Governor articulating their recommendations on matters such as business, trade, education and health.
The Board consists of twenty-one members appointed by the Governor: eighteen citizen members who shall represent business, education, the arts and government, at least eleven of whom shall be of Asian descent. Citizen members shall serve for a four-year term.
Authority
VAAB is directly authorized in the Code of Virginia (§ 2.2-2448).
According to the Code, the Virginia Asian Advisory Board has the power and duty to:
- Undertake studies and gather inforamtion and data in order to accomplish its purposes as set forth in § 2.2-2448.
- Apply for, accept and expend gifts, grants, ordonations from public, auqsi-public or private sources, including any matching funds as may be designated in the Appropriation Act, to enable it to better carry out its purposes.
- Report annually its findings and recommendations to the Governor. The board may make interim reports to the Governor, as it deems advisable.
- Account annually on its fiscal activities, including any matching funds received or expended by the Board.
Membership
Board members 2009Mr. Chandrashekar Challa, Richmond
Ex-Officio Members
*Ms. Angela Chiang, Richmond (Treasurer)
Ms. Kim Oanh Cook, Falls Church
Ms. Chun Elmejjad, Centreville
Mr. Sal Hundal, Vienna
Mr. Mark Keam, Vienna
Mr. Andrew Ko, Ashburn
Mr. Michael Liew, Roanoke
Mr. Eric Lin, Richmond
*Ms. Victoria Mirandah, Richmond (Chair)
Ms. Margarita Mohta, Midlothian
*Mr. Joe Montano, Jr., Falls Church (Vice-Chair)
*Ms. Binh Nguyen, McLean (Secretary)
Mr. Ray Obispo, Virginia Beach
Mr. Dilip Sarkar, Norfolk
Ms. Suwattana Sugg, Richmond
Mr. Felix Wang, Harrisonburg
Ms. Shewling Moy Wong, Virginia BeachMs. Erin Byrant, Assistant Secretary of Public Safety
Office of the Governor – Liaison
Mr. Doug Garcia, Assistant Secretary of Education
Ms. Rachel Harms, Special Assistant, Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources
Mr. David Smith, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and TradeMs. Lucy Hutchinson, Director of Gubernatorial Appointments