Standing Committee Chairs
Duties of the Standing Committee Chairs are given in AAUC Bylaws Article IV
Board Development Committee Chair (Position Open) – Acting Chair: Thomas Abraham
Dr. Thomas Abraham is the Founder President and currently serves as the Chairman of
the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO). Dr. Abraham has been
serving the Indian American community for the last 48 years. He served as the first
president of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) of New York and the National
Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA). Other than these organizations, two
other groups initiated by Dr. Abraham are National Indian American Association for
Senior Citizens (NIAASC) and South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS) and co-
founded Indian American Kerala Center. In 2008, Dr. Abraham was recognized by
President of India with Overseas Indian Honor Award. Dr. Abraham has Also been
recognized with Lifetime Achievement Award for community service by India Abroad,
American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin and Indo-American Press Club and was
honored as the Father of the Community by Excel Foundation in 2021.
A graduate of Columbia University, Dr. Abraham is a materials scientist and
nanotechnologist by profession and is President of Innovative Research and Products,
Inc., an industry, technology and market research firm based in Stamford, CT, USA..
Constitution & Bylaws Committee Chair – Thomas Abraham (CT)
Dr. Thomas Abraham is the Founder President and currently serves as the Chairman of
the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO). Dr. Abraham has been
serving the Indian American community for the last 48 years. He served as the first
president of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) of New York and the National
Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA). Other than these organizations, two
other groups initiated by Dr. Abraham are National Indian American Association for
Senior Citizens (NIAASC) and South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS) and co-
founded Indian American Kerala Center. In 2008, Dr. Abraham was recognized by
President of India with Overseas Indian Honor Award. Dr. Abraham has Also been
recognized with Lifetime Achievement Award for community service by India Abroad,
American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin and Indo-American Press Club and was
honored as the Father of the Community by Excel Foundation in 2021.
A graduate of Columbia University, Dr. Abraham is a materials scientist and
nanotechnologist by profession and is President of Innovative Research and Products,
Inc., an industry, technology and market research firm based in Stamford, CT, USA..
Strategic Development Committee Chair (Position Open) – Acting Chair: Peter Nguyen (VA)
Peter Nguyen is the president of FAPAC with a mission to share an interest in the advancement of Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) employees in the Federal/DC government and the military Organization. FAPAC is the oldest and largest AAPI Affinity for the Federally employed Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). It is a nationally recognized organization that serves as a conduit through which the interests, issues, and representation of AAPI in the Federal, State, County, City and District of Columbia governments are addressed. FAPAC promotes partnerships with the public and private sectors in the community it serves. It works with AAUC to form partnership and support to meet FAPAC mission including sponsorship from AAUC during the FAPAC annual National Leadership Training Program in the month of May that coincides with celebrations the Asian Pacific Americans Heritage (APAH) month.
Ethics Committee Chair (Position Open) – Acting Chair: Anthony “Tony” Nakazawa (AK)
Anthony “Tony” Nakazawa is member of AAUC 2018 Organizing Committee for the inaugural meeting in Alaska. He was a Board Member of 80-20 PAC. He is Professor Emeritus, University of Alaska, retired in 2018 as Professor of Economics, UAF School of Natural Resources and Extension. He has a Ph.D. from the University of California Berkeley, School of Agriculture and Natural Resources; MA from the University of California, Santa Barbara; and BA from the University of Hawaii, Manoa Campus. Former President of Alaska Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League. Former member of Alaska Asian Cultural Center – Japanese Community representative.
Education Program & Conference Committee Chair – Marsha Golangco (CA)
Marsha Cheung Golangco is a best seller Author, Speaker, Consultant in Environmental Feng
Shui & Sustainable Green Building Advisory. She is also a Social Entrepreneur and a longtime
community advocate. Her mission is to promote a harmonious world that works for all. For
many years, Marsha has used her knowledge and wisdom in helping others to create favorable
and healthy living environments for a better quality of life.
She serves in many local to global organizations including as APAPA’s Bayarea Region President,
the USGBC (United States Green Building Council, East Bay, CA) and Cofounders of Sustainable
Contra Cost & Sustainable Walnut Creek, CA. She is a recipient of an Honorable Mention
Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award of the Year and the Asian American Islander
American of the Year (APIA) in 2020. Marsha co-authored three best-selling anthologies and is
the author of 3 solo books – The Power of Feng Shui Trilogy and 5 bestselling anthologies.
Public Relationship Chair (position open) – Acting Chair: Munsup Seoh (OH)
Dr. Munsup – received his B.S. (1970) and M.S. (1975) in Mathematics at Sogang University in Seoul, Korea.Full Professor at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Wright State University. Member of the American Statistical Association (ASA) Committee on Minorities in Statistics from 2003-2009. Involved member with American Scientist and Engineers Association, Korean American University Professors Association and Phi Beta International Honor Society for International Education. VP-Membership, Executive Committee.
Public Policy and Advocacy Committee Chair (Position Open) – Acting Chair: Jack Hanna (OR)
Jack Hanna is a 3rd generation Syrian-American, retired as a Pennsylvania attorney after 40 years, now resides in Portland, Oregon since 2018. He has been active in Democratic Party politics for over 35 years having served as the PA State Party’s Treasurer for 5 years and its Chair for 6 months and continue to serve as a member of Oregon’s State Central Committee. He attended the last 7 Democratic National Conventions, in the most recent one as an elected Biden delegate. He was a founding organizer of an immigrant and refugee advocacy organization in Pennsylvania called the “Refugee Working Group”. Currently, supports that same work in Portland as a Board member of the “New Portland Foundation”.
Membership Committee Chair – Hiral Pandya (OR)
Hiral K Pandya representing HAF is a dedicated advocate for positive change in their community and beyond, having been associated with several social, cultural, and community-based organizations such as the Diversity Advisory Board of Beaverton City, Wake-up Beaverton, United in Spirit, Hindu SwayamSevak Sangh, BAPS, Indic Civilization Advocacy Network, SEWA International, and OCAPIA. Through their extensive engagement with these organizations, Hiral K Pandya has made a significant impact on promoting diversity, unity, and cultural heritage while inspiring others to create a brighter future for all.