Committee Heads
Below are the committee heads for 2012-2013 appointed by the president:
Career - Red Gillen [career @ jetaaportland.com]
Community/Cultural - Roy Higgins [community @ jetaaportland.com]
J-Kaiwa – Vicki Bridges, Scott Klein [jkaiwa @ jetaaportland.com]
Social - Eric Franz [social @ jetaaportland.com]
Sports - Britt Sexton [sports @ jetaaportland.com]
Webmaster - Thomas Tran [webmaster @ jetaaportland.com]
Scroll down for more information about each of our committee heads:
Red Gillen – Career Chair
Nara/Tokyo,89-93/95-9,01-02 (FrofJET)
Blood Type: Red
Konbini snack you miss most: Ozeki One Cup
Best thing about being back: All the space. Oh yeah, and the beer.
Hardest thing about being back: Despite what everyone says, Portland needs better Japanese food.
What you’re doing now: Senior Analyst at Celent covering the mobile banking industry
What you hope to contribute to JETAA this year: Helping members get a little closer to finding a satisfying job.
Roy Huggins - Community/Cultural Chair
Hokkaido, 2007-2010
Blood Type: B…? I decided not to find out to illustrate cultural differences. Probably not the best idea…
Konbini snack you miss most: Tuna mayo onigiri and a bottle of Ito En’s good ‘ol basic green tea. Best snack ever!
Best thing about being back: Corn tortillas
Hardest thing about being back: No onsen or sento or even just deep baths. I’m a big guy. American bathtubs don’t cut it.
What you’re doing now: I’m a counselor in private practice specializing in working with international couples, expats, and returnees.
What you hope to contribute to JETAA this year: It’s my first year back so I’m still getting a handle on things, but I’m hoping to help JETAA improve our great connection with Portland’s Japanese community.
Vicki Bridges – J-Kaiwa Co-Chair
Aichi-ken
Blood Type: O+
Konbini snack you miss most: Hiyashi chuka
Best thing about being back: Being near family
Hardest thing about being back: Missing friends in Japan, no ONSEN like there!
What you’re doing now: Helping Japanese high school students make it through a year of school here in Oregon
What you hope to contribute to JETAA this year: Through J-Kaiwa, I want to maintain chances to use Japanese so we don’t forget it and continue making Japanese friends and networking.
Scott Klein – J-Kaiwa Co-Chair
Tokyo, 1989-1992 (Friend of JET)
Blood Type: O+
Konbini snack you miss most: Shiichikin/Tsuna onigiri
Best thing about being back: The freedom of driving!
Hardest thing about being back: Missing friends in Japan
What you’re doing now: IT business analyst for UPS
What you hope to contribute to JETAA this year: Broaden participation at JETAA events, and find a new nijikai spot! Ideas…?
Britt Sexton – Sports Chair
Hyogo-ken, 1994-1997
Blood Type: Yummy
Konbini snack you miss most: Brittwiches
Best thing about being back: Eating whatever I want whenever I want
Hardest thing about being back: No post-snack onsen.
Eric Franz, Social Chair
Nagasaki-ken, 2008-2011
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Thomas Tran – Webmaster
Aomori-Ken, 2003-2008
Blood Type: I forget….
Konbini snack you miss most: Konbu onigiri and hanbaos.
Best thing about being back: Family and friends.
Hardest thing about being back: Missing my friends in Japan.
What you’re doing now: Keeping it real.
What you hope to contribute to JETAA this year: Making the good …. better!
The Portland Chapter of JETAA (The JET Program Alumni Association) was created to serve the bonds of friendship developed by the program participants. JETAA’s purpose is to achieve, through its activities, a broader and deeper understanding between Japan and the other countries participating in the program.
