Chinese American Heroes

Established in 2006 as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization, ChineseAmericanHeroes.org was founded after prominent citizens stated that a project to document the contributions of Chinese Americans was much needed and long overdue. Accordingly, ChineseAmericanHeroes.org intends to meet this objective by telling the stories of Heroes, Unsung Heroes and Everyday Heroes to provide role models for our youth and to illustrate the loyal support of Chinese Americans to the United States of America and to Mankind.

Roger retired from Federal service after serving thirty-six years in the Department of Defense, the Air Force, and commercial business. He multi-tasked in the Reserves while working for IBM Corporation before becoming President of OBS Software, and later President & CEO of Medicom Corporation, a computer services company.

Roger is very active in the community and volunteers for numerous organizations, including the World Affairs Council, the Asia Foundation, the San Francisco Committee on Foreign Relations, the Organization of Chinese Americans, the Chinese Historical Society of America, the Chinese American Forum, the American Legion Cathay Post #384, and the San Francisco War Memorial Veterans Board. Roger was a ten-year Rotarian and President of the Rotary Club of Taipei during his tour abroad. He received his M.A. from the University of Arizona in Chinese and Japanese studies. and his B.A. from San Francisco State University in Chinese.

Dr. Chai retired after thirty years with AT&T Bell Laboratories in New Jersey, where he was a Member of Technical Staff and a Director of software development and systems engineering. He served in appointed positions of the Planning Board and Zoning Board in Holmdel, New Jersey and Assistant Commissioner of the state of New Jersey, as well as elected positions as both Council and Mayor of Holmdel.

Dr. Chai has served on the boards of many non-profit organizations, including the United Way of Monmouth County (NJ), Center for Non-Profits, Leadership New Jersey, and more recently OCA-San Mateo, 80-20 Initiative and Northern California Presbyterian Homes and Services. He was recognized in the Congressional Record of the U.S. House of Representatives on July 13, 2004 and received the Outstanding and Distinguished Service Award in 1999 from OCA-New Jersey. Dr. Chai graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Electrical Engineering, and from the University of Michigan with a Master and Ph.D in Communication and Computer Sciences. Born in Nanjing, he lived in Chongqing and Tokyo before moving to the U.S.

Officer Hanley Chan is a San Francisco Special Police Officer, Board Member of the San Francisco Organization of Chinese Americans, and Board Member of the Cathay Post for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In addition, Officer Chan serves as Political Director of the San Francisco Park Rangers Association and is also an Insurance/Notary Officer.

Officer Chan holds an Associate of Arts degree in Administration of Justice from City College of San Francisco and a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from New College of California.

Martin works for Franklin Templeton Investments as a Legal Specialist. In addition to serving on the Board of ChineseAmericanHeroes.org, Martin is also a Board Member for the OCA San Mateo Chapter and has been involved with OCA since 2005. In his capacity as OCA Board Member, Martin has had the opportunity to meet people and establish numerous relationships. Martin has a passion for community outreach and is also active with numerous community projects including the George Hall Elementary School Mentoring, the Habitat for Humanity, the 2nd Harvest Food Sort, the Chinese Historical Society, and the Sutter VNA & Hospice.

Martin was awarded an "Unsung Hero" award at the OCA National Convention in 2006 for his dedication and involvement in giving back to his community. He attended California State University Hayward and earned his BA in Liberal Studies.

Galin is an Attorney with Cox, Wootton, Griffin, Hansen and Poulos, LLP, specializing in personal injury, construction defect, asbestos, environmental, contract actions, admiralty and maritime matters and inland cargo claims. Galin has tried cases in federal court and has also successfully represented clients in arbitration and mediation.

Previously, Galin attained the rank of Captain serving in the United States Marine Corps as a Judge Advocate. He litigated felony, misdemeanor jury, bench trials and administrative hearings as the Chief District Attorney and then as the Senior Public Defender for Marine Corps Air Station, New River. Upon completion of service, Galin was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Galin currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Chinese Historical Society of America and ChineseAmericanHeroes.org. He received his J.D. from the University of California at Davis and his B.A. from San Francisco State University.

Dr. Peng is a retired scientist, an American citizen since 1962 and a community service activist for 39 out of 54 years in the U.S. He volunteered with the United Way, consulted for St. Louis Minority Advocacy, taught English to new immigrants and helped register seniors to vote. He was a cultural consultant for Families with Children from China in St. Louis, President and officer of the Organization of Chinese Americans there and publisher of the Chinese American Forum magazine. Dr. Peng lectures regularly in high schools and colleges and in the St. Louis Religious Dialogue Group. He is a justice-advocate for victims of the 911 terrorist attack, of WWII, and of Japanese atrocities in China.

Dr. Peng received the International Channel’s "Vision in America Award 2002" for his valuable contributions to the community and was recognized in the books of "Ageless Remarkable St. Louison" published by St. Andrews (Pinnacle Press, 2003) and "Chinese St. Louis" by Huping Ling (Temple University Press, 2004).

Winnie is a longstanding community leader and is heavily involved with local, state, and national social justice organizations. She organizes and participates in a variety of workshops and dialogues on civil rights, education, immigration, health, community safety and political well-being issues. She has a rich and robust history in banking, business development, non-profit management, and corporate and government relations.

Winnie began her involvement in social justice work after attending an OCA/JACL Leadership Conference in 1996. In 1997, Winnie chaired the Asian-American Steering Committee, which led to the successful creation of the Miami-Dade County Asian-American Advisory Board in Florida. Winnie currently serves as president of the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) - South Florida Chapter and the United Chinese Association of Florida (UCAF). Her goal is to be the voice of the underserved.

Eric is an attorney and partner in DLA Piper’s Silicon Valley office. He has broad experience in the general corporate and securities representation and business counseling of emerging growth and other privately-held companies, publicly traded companies, and venture capital firms. Eric also concentrates in mergers and acquisitions, having represented numerous public and private companies in various industries in mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and spin-offs.

In 2005 and 2006, Eric was recognized as one of the best lawyers in the Bay Area in the corporate and securities area in Bay Area Lawyer Magazine. He received his law degree from Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California at Berkeley and his undergraduate degree in economics from Pomona College in Claremont.