8.9.24 New CCACC Board of Directors Formed & New Members Joining (Part Two)
As a Chinese non-profit organization in Greater Washington, CCACC's vigorous development is evident to all. The effectiveness of the board's commitment to strategic direction and vision planning is also well-known. Recently, CCACC's board of directors completed its biennial election, with six of the fifteen board members being new additions. In series two, we will continue to introduce four new board members.
New Board Member: Mr. Vincent Ko
Mr. Vincent Ko's connection with the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC) began in his youth, participating in the organization's programs, including the volleyball camp. Today, this bond continues as his two young children attend the CCACC Academy, a bilingual Chinese and English immersion preschool.
Over the past decade, Mr. Ko has lived primarily in Singapore and Vietnam, with extensive travel and business partnerships across the greater Asia region. This global experience has enriched his understanding of the Chinese diaspora and what it means to be part of the worldwide Chinese community.
This personal journey has given him a unique perspective that resonates with younger audiences and second- and third-generation Chinese Americans. Mr. Ko is committed to leveraging this perspective to help CCACC continue to connect with and serve these groups. In other words, he will bring this perspective to CCACC, aiming to bridge connections between the U.S. and Asia, as well as among multiple generations of Chinese and Chinese Americans.
Professionally, Mr. Ko is an serial entrepreneur with a diverse background in e-commerce, technology, international trade, and manufacturing. Most recently, he was the founder and CEO of VEVA, one of the fastest-growing air purifier brands. His passion for entrepreneurship and youth education drives him to hold workshops and educational sessions for young people in the community, focusing on business, entrepreneurship, problem-solving, and innovation.
His previous non-profit board experience includes serving on the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) Vietnam Board and the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) Singapore Board.
Mr. Ko is eager to bring his diverse experiences and skills to CCACC, looking forward to contributing to the community's growth and success. He expresses his heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the board and is enthusiastic about working together towards an even brighter future for our community.
New Board Member: Dr. Ude Lu
Dr. Ude Lu grew up in Taiwan. He received BS in electrical engineering and MS in biotechnology from National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan. He received his Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from University of Southern California, and JD from University of Minnesota Law School.
He is currently an attorney practicing patent laws, e.g., patent litigation, patent prosecution, etc.
Dr. Lu He actively served the local Asian communities. He was the VP of National Asian Pacific Attorney Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter, VP of Chinese-American Professionals Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., etc. He also provides pro bono counseling to many non-profit organizations, such as Taiwan Benevolent Association of Greater Washington, DC, Fujian-Taiwan Culture Commerce Association, etc.
New Board Member: Mrs. Josephine Tao
Josephine Tao (Pea-Fen Wang) was born in Taiwan. Mrs. Tao came to the United States at a young age to study. After graduation from college, she continued her studies at graduate schools and obtained two master's degrees in Linguistics and Information Management. She also possesses an ESL Teaching Certificate and a Project Management Professional Certificate (PMP Certification).
Mrs. Tao served in Montgomery County Government for over 33 years. In 2023, she retired as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO). During her tenure, she managed many high-tech teams and provided professional development to the staff. As a member of the executive leadership team, she led many IT innovative initiatives, making great customer services and contributions to the residents of Montgomery County. After retirement, Mrs. Tao is hired as a part-time technical consultant.
Outside of work, Mrs. Tao actively participates in community services. She has been a CCACC volunteer for the past 17 years, teaching Martial Arts Health Dance and performing on many occasions. In the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak, she partnered with CCACC to launch Zoom online classes, helping many students to exercise at home and stay healthy. She also assisted with the establishment of the Senior Planet Computer Training Program at CCACC. She is a certified instructor from Gu Yue School and is the founder of Martial Arts Health Dance Society of Greater Washington. She teaches as a volunteer at CCACC and several community centers in Montgomery County including Potomac Community Center, and North Potomac Community Center. Her goal is to promote health and bring happiness and joy to the people and society!
New Board Member: Dr. Ben Wu
Dr. Ben Wu is a community leader who has an extensive record as a public and private sector executive leading organizational transformation and innovative initiatives at the highest ranks of presidential, gubernatorial, and congressional service. With an internationally recognized technology policy expertise, he has transformed business and economic development on the national, state, and local levels.
Under President George W. Bush, Dr. Wu was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve in the administration's sub-Cabinet as the U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology and the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Technology Policy with responsibilities over the President's high-technology agenda, U.S. innovation and competitiveness, and the federal technology enterprise. Dr. Wu led U.S. initiatives to eliminate international barriers to technology trade, open technology access, and integrate national innovation priorities. He also served as the Executive Secretary for the Committee on Technology of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), a Cabinet-level council established by the President to coordinate science, space, and technology policy.
Recently, under Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, Dr. Wu served as the Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Chief Operating Officer of the Department of Commerce and Special Assistant to the Governor. As a member of the Governor's senior economic team and his Commerce Cabinet, Dr. Wu played a leadership role in significant reforms to Maryland's economic development structure and business friendliness that delivered record growth and the state's lowest unemployment rate in over a decade in one of the most innovative states in the nation.
Dr. Wu also served in the U.S. Congress for 13 years as Legislative Counsel for both Congresswoman Constance A. Morella of Maryland and the House Science Committee's subcommittee with responsibility over the nation's technology and competitiveness policy. He is the past President and CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) and led the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland's largest jurisdiction with a GDP larger than 13 states.
Dr. Wu currently serves on the boards of corporate and community organizations. He is a Board Director of Pepco Holdings, Inc. (PHI), a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation, a Fortune 100 energy provider and the nation's largest utility company. Born in Taiwan, Dr. Wu is a native Marylander and has lived in Montgomery County since coming to the United States. He is on the boards of the Make-A-Wish Foundation (Mid-Atlantic Chapter), Strathmore Hall Foundation, Committee of 100, the U.S.-Asia Institute, and CCACC of Greater Washington.
Dr. Wu has served as a Trustee of Montgomery College, an elected national board member of the American Community College Trustees, and on the Advisory Board of the Universities at Shady Grove (University System of Maryland). He also served on the boards of the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center, Mobile Medical Care, MdBio Foundation (Maryland Tech Council), Greater Washington Initiative, and Rockville Economic Development, Inc (REDI). Dr. Wu has served as Chair of the Maryland Governor's Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs and was appointed to the Montgomery County Cable Communications Advisory Committee.
(Please Note: The introduction of the new board members is arranged in alphabetical order by their English last names)
