Message from the Chairman

May 22, 2024

Dear PPALM members, sponsors, partners, and friends,

As we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander month, lets also acknowledge the upcoming celebration of Armed Forces Day on Sat, May 18^th, and Memorial Day on May 27^th.

It is incredibly important to recognize the immeasurable contributions and achievements AANHPIs who served our country as immigrant laborers and soldiers and made this country a leading power in the world.  All this despite the generations replete with racial discrimination, violence, poverty, and prejudice.

They were never to be denied their freedom and rightful place in this country.  

This month, PPALM engaged in raising awareness of AANHPI leadership in public service. We joined our partner, the Asian American Government Executive Network (AAGEN) Leadership Workshop event on May 2^nd. I participated as seminar speaker on “Leadership Accountability” and spoke to several participants on the value of Mentorship. MG(Ret) Garrett Yee, a PPALM member, was a distinguished guest speaker at the workshop.

At the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) Legislative Summit on May 13-15, 2024, I participated in a panel on “A Diverse Military and Meeting the Needs of Veterans.” This three-day event culminated in celebrating the 10^th Annual APAICS – PPALM Military Appreciation Luncheon on May 15^th with over 130 guests comprising of military members, corporate executives, senior members of the federal government, and a member of Congress.

The distinguished speakers delivered powerful messages on why we serve our country – be it in elected office, military, or private sector. U.S Congresswoman Jill Tokuda from Hawaii, Dr Ravi Chaudhary, Assistant Secretary for Energy, Installations, and Environment, and U.S. Army Major Jae Yu inspired the audience on the need for AANHPIs to stand out, to lead, to represent, to stay relevant and contribute to America’s four pillars of power - diplomacy, information, military, and economy.

Finally, we want to extend our congratulations to four outstanding AANHPI leaders and PPALM members:  

Army Lieutenant Colonel John Abella on his promotion to Colonel ahead of his peers. He is currently serving at G-4/Logistics at the 25^th Infantry Division in Hawaii.

Army Major Jae Yu on receiving his PhD in Public Administration at George Washington University on May 16, 2024.

Thomas Matthews on his selection to attend the U.S. Air Force Officer Training School on July 30, 2024, at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL. He will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and assigned as Cyberspace Warfare Operations officer. He is also a PhD candidate in Cyber operations.

Elliot Ji, a Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow at Rand Corporation working on nuclear related projects. He will soon join the US Air Force Reserve as an officer this summer. He is also a PhD candidate at Princeton University.

The enormous amount of talent and leadership displayed by these gentlemen are testament to their AANHPI roots – to serve and give back to America.

We can be proud of AANHPIs’ dedication and loyalty to our country!

Antonio M. Taguba
Chairman

PPALM Leaders on the Move

• Brigadier General Michael Siegl recently departed his assignment on June 3, 2023 as Commander, U.S. Quartermaster School, Fort Gregg-Adam, Petersburg, Virginia. His new assignment is J-4 (theater logistics), U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
• Colonel Khanh Diep was recently assigned as Chief of Staff, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York. Her previous assignment was Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1 (Human resources), III Corps, Fort Cavasos, Texas.
  
• Lieutenant Colonel John Abella relinquished his position as Battalion Commander, 18^th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at Grafenwoehr, Germany on June 9, 2023. It is the one of the largest logistics support units in the U.S. Army. His new assignment is Division G-4 (logistics), 25^th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
  
• Lieutenant Colonel Rochelle Pressley retired on June 3, 2023 having served 20 years on active duty. As a logistics officer, she served with distinction as a maintenance and supply services officer in several command and staff positions throughout her Army career. This included assignments at Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Carson, Colorado; Fort Lee, Virginia: Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Fort Irwin, California; U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York; and South Korea. Her deployments included Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, and Afghanistan. She and her family plan to reside in San Diego, California.
  
• Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Olivia Nunn, was a proud recipient of the U.S. Veterans Affairs Trailblazer award on June 12, 2023 for her distinguished service to veterans who has served and separated from military service. She has made an impact by enhancing the lives of other Veterans, Veteran families or Veteran caregivers. After her retirement, she has dedicated her post-retirement service to advocate for veterans, and to non-profit services organizations.