美国加州南湾华人协会换届选举，王薇和赫乔治分别当选为新一届主席和会长 New Leadership — Amy Wang and Jorge Herrera Avila Elected as Chairwoman and President

On June 7, 2024, the South Bay Chinese American Association of California USA held its leadership and board meeting under the guidance of Founding Chairwoman Wei Wang to conduct elections for its new executive team. Wei Wang and advisor Jorge Herrera Avila were unanimously elected as the association’s new Chairwoman and President, respectively.

In her remarks, Chairwoman Wei Wang reflected on the association’s remarkable growth—from its humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential Chinese American organizations in the South Bay region of Los Angeles. She emphasized how each event had been thoughtfully planned and successfully executed, thanks to the community's enthusiastic involvement.

During her tenure, the association achieved numerous milestones, including: organizing and participating in the inaugural Lunar New Year celebration at South Coast Botanic Garden; making history by joining the Palos Verdes Peninsula’s annual Christmas Parade for the first time in 32 years as a Chinese American group—and winning awards; leading earthquake relief donation drives and secondhand exchange events; hosting film screenings and Q&A events at PV Library; joining competitive events such as table tennis, fitness dance, and Tai Chi gatherings; and organizing educational seminars on responsible gun ownership, among many other charitable and cultural activities.

At the meeting, Chairwoman Wang highlighted the association’s next major focus: the establishment of a dedicated Youth Center within the organization. The center will be led by incoming President Jorge Herrera, who has demonstrated a strong record of youth empowerment work in the San Gabriel community. She expressed hope that, under his leadership, the Youth Center will nurture young leaders and further strengthen the association’s community impact and influence.

During the leadership transition ceremony, Chairwoman Wang extended heartfelt gratitude to the board members, advisors, volunteers, partner organizations, and all supporters for their unity, generosity, and encouragement.

In his acceptance speech, Jorge Herrera expressed sincere thanks for the trust placed in him. He introduced himself as a graduate of El Camino College in the South Bay and currently works for Republic Services in Long Beach, serving areas within the association’s scope. Born into an immigrant family, Jorge's parents were farmers from Guatemala who immigrated to the U.S. in the 1970s and worked as garment workers to support seven children, including Jorge.

Jorge began working at age 15 to help his family and held various jobs such as cashier, fast food server, gas appliance technician, and stage manager. While working full-time, he paid his own way through school—earning a degree from El Camino College and later a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Cal State LA.

He currently serves as an Honorary Representative for California State Treasurer Fiona Ma and holds leadership roles including: founder and president of a youth empowerment nonprofit in San Gabriel, advisor to the South Bay Chinese American Association, deputy director of the Flying Tiger Institute, and community advisory board member of KCET/PBS SoCal. He is also a current candidate for San Gabriel City Council.

Jorge’s wife, Ting Xie, is originally from Chongqing, China, and holds degrees in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Sichuan University and USC. Ting has expressed admiration and full support for Jorge’s selfless dedication and practical leadership in community service. Known affectionately as the “Chinese son-in-law,” Jorge proudly embraces his connection to Chinese culture, especially as he and his wife prepare to welcome their daughter, who will be of mixed Chinese heritage.

Known for his humility and commitment, Jorge has been a highly active advisor, coordinating outreach with government agencies, schools, and local organizations, and playing a key role in promoting cross-cultural exchanges and regional collaboration.

Vice President Catherine Li noted the geographic and cultural uniqueness of the South Bay region, located southwest of downtown Los Angeles near the coast. Unlike areas with large Chinese populations, South Bay's relatively dispersed immigrant community once struggled with access to resources. With limited transportation and language barriers, many immigrants faced challenges with daily life, education, and navigating the legal system.

Given today’s rise in anti-Asian sentiment, Catherine emphasized the importance of uniting Chinese Americans in South Bay and neighboring cities to protect their rights, expand opportunities for future generations, and ensure safety and representation.

Board members praised the tremendous accomplishments of the association's founding leadership team, which—through community engagement and diverse cultural programs—has significantly strengthened the association’s influence. They highlighted the successful launch of teams and clubs such as walking groups, fitness dance, Chinese opera, cheerleading, Tai Chi, golf, table tennis, basketball, badminton, English classes, volunteer networks, photography, and qipao performance teams.

Through government outreach, partnerships with schools, and consistent cultural programming, the association has enhanced Chinese American representation, fostered unity, and strengthened China–U.S. cultural understanding.

Board members also acknowledged that in a time of global uncertainty and U.S.–China tension, Jorge’s willingness to serve as president reflects true dedication. No matter the challenges ahead, the association remains steadfast in its mission: to serve, to unite, to give back, and to build a brighter future. The new leadership team is expected to continue uplifting the Chinese community in South Bay and beyond—and to write a powerful new chapter in the story of Chinese Americans.

2024年6月7日，美国加州南湾华人协会在创会会长王薇的主持下，召开理事和领导会议，投票选举新一届主席和会长。会长王薇和顾问赫乔治(Jorge Herrera Avila)以全票通过，分别当选为美国加州南湾华人协会新一届主席和会长。       

王薇会长对协会工作做了总结和高度肯定，并表示在大家的共同努力下，美国加州南湾华人协会从无到有，从小到大，已经发展成为洛杉矶南湾地区重要的华人社团之一。每一个活动都能精心筹划和成功举办，无不体现南湾群众积极参与社区活动的热情和成就。在王薇会长任职期间，成功带领美国加州南湾华人协会组织和参加南海岸植物园的首届农历新年活动; 32年来，首次以华人社团参加PV半岛一年一度的圣诞节游行活动，并夺得大奖；组织地震慈善捐款捐物、闲置物品买卖交换活动；组织参加PV 图书馆‘‘攀登金山’’电影展映和导演问答活动；参加高校联盟乒乓球比赛和入场式比赛、健美舞比赛；在世界太极日组织太极拳爱好者集中练拳活动；组织华人拥枪知识讲座等等社会慈善公益活动。 

在本次会议上，王薇会长重点强调了协会接下来的发展方向，即在协会内部成立专门的“青年中心”，继续组织社区和华人青少年积极参与社区服务，为他们提供义工机会和锻炼领导能力的平台。“青年中心”将由新会长赫乔治负责带领，他在圣盖博社区青少年赋权方面的工作卓有成效。王薇会长希望“青年中心”在他的带领下能不断发掘培养年轻骨干，将协会继续发展壮大，并持续提高协会在社区的影响力。 

在换届交接仪式上，王薇会长对董事、理事和领导团队成员的团结进取、无私奉献，南湾群众的积极参与、帮助支持和鼓励，兄弟社团的合作和友谊，以及主席团和顾问团的关心和指导，都表达了深深敬意和最诚挚的感谢。   

赫乔治对协会选举他为新任会长并对他的信任表示衷心感谢，并做了自我介绍。他毕业于南湾地区的El Camino 大学，现工作于Long Beach 的Republic Service垃圾管理公司，都在协会服务洛杉矶南湾及其周边地区的范围内。他来自一个普通的移民家庭。他的父母亲都曾是南美洲国家危地马拉的农民。70年代他们移民来到美国，作为制衣工人通过勤劳工作和省吃俭用，养育了乔治在内七个孩子长大成人。赫乔治从15岁便开始打工挣钱，为家庭减轻生活压力，他做过超市收银员、快餐馆服务员、天然气设备维修、舞台管理等各类工作。他在全职工作的同时自费上学，在El Camino 大学毕业后，又在加州州立大学洛杉矶分校获得政治学学士学位。他目前是加州财务部长马世云的名誉代表。此外，他积极参与社区工作，担任圣盖博为了改变青少年赋权组织的创始人和主席、美国加州南湾华人协会顾问、美国飞虎队研究院副主任、美国知名电视广播频道KCET/PBS SoCal社区顾问委员会成员等等，现正在竞选圣盖博市市议员。 

赫乔治的太太谢婷来自中国重庆，毕业于四川大学和南加州大学工业和系统工程专业本科学位和硕士学位。太太谢婷非常支持赫乔治，表示很难得见到像他这样有想法、有干劲、无私奉献、脚踏实地愿意为民请命的社区领袖了。乔治非常了解并热爱中国文化，大家都亲切地称他为“华人女婿”，特别是在即将迎来一个一半中国血统的女儿后，赫乔治更以“华人女婿”这个称呼感到骄傲。乔治和绝大多数华人家庭一样，有极强的家庭观念、重视教育和社区治安。       

赫乔治为人谦和诚恳，任劳任怨，在担任协会顾问期间，积极参加协会活动，致力于联络政府、学校、商会和社团等等机构，积极协调组织活动，展现良好的领导才能和亲和力，在促进中美文化交流和地区横向联系合作发展发挥了重要作用。  

副会长Catherine Li 指出，洛杉矶南湾South Bay，地处洛杉矶市中心西南方向海边，沿着Santa Monica Bay向东伸展，近洛杉矶国际机场。离华人聚集城市相对较远，在过去通信不发达时期，新移民来到美国生活不易，遇到困难很难解决，例如不会英语，不会开车，交通不便，法律法规困惑，安家和学生就读和找地方做义工等等，都需要信息提供和帮助。在当今社会动荡、仇视亚裔华裔的行为日益猖獗，团结南湾和周边城市华人一起共同保障华人在美国的人身安全、为华人和后代去拓宽生存发展空间和保护好美国华裔的合法权益尤为重要。         

各位董事成员总结并充分肯定了协会在第一届领导集体的共同努力和群众的支持下，组织和开展了丰富多彩、各式各样公益活动，还组建了健步队、健美舞团、戏曲团、啦啦队、太极队、高尔夫俱乐部、乒乓球队、篮球队、羽毛球队、英语学习班、义工群、摄影团、旗袍团等等，广泛联系政府学校和社会团体，促进中美文化交流，加强华人公益社团在洛杉矶和南湾地区的影响力，凝聚华人华侨的力量，促进中美之间人民的相互交往和友谊，为协会扩大影响力和各项工作全面开展做出了巨大贡献并取得了骄人成绩，也对新一届领导集体提出了更高的要求。       

董事们表示在目前美中关系不稳定，社会经济不乐观的时候，赫乔治愿意出任新会长，为协会和社区做奉献，令人钦佩。无论大环境如何变化，美国加州南湾华人协会服务奉献，感恩回馈，团结奋进，共创未来的初心始终不变。相信新一届的领导集体将继续团结和带领南湾以及周边地区华人，书写关于我们华人的历史新篇章。