St. Paul, Minn. (May 3, 2010) – The Board of Directors of Hmong American Partnership on Monday announced the election of Tou Fue Lee as its Board Chair. Lee has served for several years on the HAP board and most recently as Secretary. He succeeds outgoing chair, Sida Ly-Xiong and assumes his duties this month.
“HAP is quickly growing into a visionary organization,” says Lee, “So it will be very important for the Board to be more active in its leadership role.”
Hmong American Partnership is a 20 year-old social service and community development organization with a mission to empower the community to reach its potential while embracing the strength of culture. It has expanded from a Hmong service provider to become one of the areas largest and far reaching mutual assistance associations that now serves several new immigrant ethnic groups.
“I believe that together we can create even better opportunities for everyone involved with the entire HAP family,” said Lee.
Born in Thailand, and raised in Memphis and Knoxville, Tennessee, Lee earned a Master’s in Business Administration and owns three Dairy Queen restaurants in the Twin Cities. He also serves on the Board of the Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce.
Lee stated that his vision is for the Board is to continue providing direction and support to CEO Bao Vang and the entire staff to accomplish the HAP mission of improving and empowering the community. HAP services include employment, training, education, housing and economic development, youth, family and elderly services.
Lee said that he would like to see HAP stay the course that was charted in its recent multi-year Strategic Plan.
“I know that everyone involved has worked extremely hard to make our programs and services more efficient and effective,” says Lee. “Going forward, I hope to do my part in keeping HAP at the forefront of community organizations by generating buzz about new initiatives such as social enterprise, policy, advocacy, and research.”
For more information about Hmong American Partnership, call Andrea Barcenas at 651-495-1505 or visit www.hmong.org.
