SAN FRANCISCO — With a thunderous taiko drum roar as a powerful backdrop, the Asian American Engineers and Architects (AAAE) held its 27th annual celebration dinner last Friday at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Over 350 of the Bay Area’s top professionals and some of this nation’s largest architecture and engineering firms came to pay their respects to one of the country’s pioneer Asian American trade organizations.
Founded in 1977, AAAE was created to help firms find their way through complicated public-procurement regulations. Along with its sister organization Asian Inc., AAAE began to study, analyze and advocate for change in how the public sector does business. The group’s efforts also encouraged more Asian American firms to compete successfully for public work.
“AAAE basically became a very powerful union of Asian American architects and engineers,” said Jonathan Leong, founding member of the Asian Business Association and close ally of AAAE. “Under the guidance of the late Harold Yee, they were able to show that just giving business to the big white firms was not only not right but ineffective. By bringing diversity into the process, the government not only saved money, but our community benefited.”
“At its core, AAAE serves as our community’s main advocate for overcoming obstacles and sending the message that no matter how difficult it may seem, Asian American firms can succeed,” added Michael Chan, president of Asian Inc.
This year the organization added social responsibility to its platform — the concept that once their members have achieved a degree of success, they must advocate and practice social responsibility for the communities in which they operate and live.
“Giving back to the community now becomes an important plank in our philosophy,” said Gary Gee, president of AAAE. “We must show that not only do we enjoy success but that we are willing to take the responsibilities that come with [it].”
To that end, AAAE awarded scholarships to three deserving college students, Riyo Namigata, Charlotte Lin and Lisa Chen. It also presented a special award to Le Ly Hayslip, who was the inspiration for the film Heaven & Earth, for her many efforts in trying to create a better environment where people can live.