STAFF

Lee Ann Kim, Executive Directorleeann[at]sdaff[dot]org

After more than a dozen years as an Emmy Award-winning news journalist for KGTV, the ABC station in San Diego, Lee Ann turned in her anchor-helmet to take on the San Diego Asian Film Foundation as a full-time executive director. Recognized as one of the Top 50 People to Watch in 2009 by San Diego Magazine, Lee Ann is active in the community, serving on the San Diego County Cable Commission, as well as the boards of Orchestra Nova and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. On her list of top loves – her husband, two sons, dark chocolate, and singing cheesy 80s songs. Astrological signs: Dog, Virgo Myers-Briggs Personality: ESFJ

Mye Hoang, Associate Directormye[at]sdaff[dot]org

A "Vietnamese-Texan," Mye is the founder of the Asian Film Festival of Dallas where she was born and raised. After living the fast life in New York, Mye decided to settle down in San Diego in pursuit of a more mellow life and an even tan. She has a soft spot for sweets, boba, Hello Kitty, The Smiths, cute boys and fast cars. She is also an aspiring filmmaker, artist and Asian film aficionado Astrological signs: Scorpio/Dragon (So watch out!) Myers-Briggs Personality: INFJ

Phil Luque, Operations Directorphil[at]sdaff[dot]org

Born and raised in Miami on Cuban coffee and speedos, Phil put his dreams of being an actor on hold to join the Navy, serving four years and three deployments. After traveling the world, he ended up in San Diego where he worked for the Media Arts Center, the Padres, and now the San Diego Asian Film Foundation. He’s still not an actor, but he entertains the Foundation staff with his endless impressions and bad jokes. He also makes a mean kimchee noodle bowl. Astrological signs: Cancer, Rabbit Myers-Briggs Personality: ENFJ

Daniel Matthews, Marketing Coordinatordan[at]sdaff[dot]org

If there’s anyone who smells so “tweet” it would be Dan, our social media and marketing guru. Dan earned his stripes at San Diego State University where he majored in Hospitality and Tourism Management with an emphasis in event planning. A blogger, promoter, hip hop artist and galvanizer of the masses, nothing brings a smile to Dan’s face faster than dozens of comments on a Facebook update. Astrological signs: Gemini Myers-Briggs Personality: ENTJ

Mike Watson, Reel Voice Coordinatormike[at]sdaff[dot]org

Hailing from Denver, Mike came to San Diego to escape cold winters. He is a natural-born storyteller, and has a passion for documentaries. His day job involves shooting and editing, but his creative release is working with the students of Reel Voices. Named an "honorary Asian" after joining SDAFF in 2007, Mike prides himself on being able to eat any free food provided at the festival, including sushi (yum) as well as mystery chips that only have writing in a foreign language. Mike holds the 2009 record for most ChocoPies eaten in one sitting. Astrological signs: Saggatarious, Dragon Myers-Briggs Personality: ISTJ

Joseph Balan, Street Team Coordinatorjoseph[at]sdaff[dot]org

An inner city math teacher, Joseph enjoys candle lit dinners and long walks on the beach. He was a cheerleader in his college days at San Diego State University, which was his way of battling his shyness and fear of public speaking. His career in MMA was cut short by an injury, but leaves with an undefeated record. (0-0) He has studied four languages - one of which was related to his involvement in SDAFF. Astrological signs: Taurus Myers-Briggs Personality: ESTJ

Michael Chen, ProgrammerMichael[at]sdaff[dot]org

A good ol' Midwestern boy, Michael Chen traded in his Cheesehead hat in Packerland for a San Diego speedo. While his blood has thinned, he still enjoys paper snowflakes, cheese curds, country music, and Miller beer. In other words, he's in dire need of rediscovering his heritage. Michael works as a reporter for KGTV, and willfully joins the programming team in exchange for shrimp chips. Warning: he's tragic on the karaoke mic. Astrological signs: Cancer, Tiger

Sam Chen, Artistic & Animation Programmersam[at]sdaff[dot]org

Sam Chen started his misguided young adulthood by majoring in Computer Science and Engineering at UCLA. Since then, he has had 3 successful lobotomies to reverse the extensive damage done from years of technical lectures. He has since traded in his HP scientific calculator for a beret and fake mustache to pursue his passion for filmmaking, art, music, photography, and animation. For now, he's masquerading as an indie filmmaker/animator and teaching at San Diego’s Arts Institute Astrological signs: Aquarius, Monkey Myers-Briggs Personality: INFP

Mark Gadia, Volunteer Coordinatormark[at]sdaff[dot]org

It all started when Mark picked up an SDAFF postcard at the 2005 Comic-Con. Little did he that postcard would change his life, leading him to place he only dreamed of… where he could watch all the coolest Asian and Asian American films. But like an addict, he got hooked after only one film, and the rest they say is history. Astrological signs: Scorpio, Rooster Myers-Briggs Personality: ISTJ

Catherine C. Jaravata, Guest Services Coordinatorcat[at]sdaff[dot]org

This movie-loving Pinay prides in being one of the O.G's of SDAFF. Applauded for her Guest Services skills and hospitality (and ability to crack the whip - in a loving way) Catherine is passionate about Asian American issues - a value she shares as a high school teacher. One of the most fanatic Chargers Fans you'll meet on our staff, Catherine is married to fellow Bolt-fan, Ashley (whom she also recruited to SDAFF). She's already indoctrinating the Super Chargers song to her BebeGirl, Nakia Jordan and son, Kyan Xander. Astrological signs: Tiger, Cancer

Gene Huh, Programmergene[at]sdaff[dot]org

Don’t mess around with Gene when it comes to film. He treats it as seriously as he loves choking out opponents in jiu jitsu. A self-proclaimed cinefile, he is one of the founders and former Director of Programming of the DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival. Gene also started the SDAFF’s Film Forum, a bi-weekly gathering of film fanatics. Astrological signs: Boar, Scorpio

Marilyn Jones, Graphic DesignerMarilyn[at]sdaff[dot]org

Just a few years ago, "MJ" escaped the great frozen north and the Lake Shores of Chicago for the sunshine of San Diego. A self-proclaimed addict of Korean cinema, MJ is finishing up a 12-step program to deal with her addiction to another drug of choice... her iMac, by which she can out-color, out-design, and out-put festival flyers faster than you can say, "Wam Bam Thank you Ma'am." She can also turn up the froth when servin' up tall non-fat double espresso fraps with room. Astrological signs: Taurus, Snake

Christopher Lee, Graphics Genius & Korean Cinema Correspondent chris[at]sdaff[dot]org

Our graphics guru, Chris Lee, has an extensive and impressive history for establishing logo and design campaigns for big companies in Korea and the U.S., including Qualcomm and Samsung. Now he adds SDAFF to that list. You can see his work on nearly every piece of our collateral, since he designed our logo! Astrological signs: Sagittarius, Sheep

Jimmy Lee, Community Outreach Coordinatorjimmy[at]sdaff[dot]org

Having lived in Seoul, Taipei, Shenzen, and Hong Kong, Jimmy trained as a speed skater (yes in spandex!) He is always eager for new experiences, so when he attended his first quarterly screening of SDAFF, he was hooked – so hooked he took on the challenge of taking over Community Outreach. Astrological signs: Sagittarius, Sheep

Jennifer Lo, Entry & Traffic CoordinatorJennifer[at]sdaff.org

This Jenny from the Block claims to be the real "J-Lo." Following the gigantic footsteps of her cousin Yao, she moved to the U.S. to become the next WNBA player. When she realized there wasn't as much money in women's sports, she decided to pursue a career in the lucrative field of bowling. She still remains active in amateur basketball leagues around San Diego, proving that "Chinese Women Can Jump.". Astrological signs: Cancer, Dog

Anthony Noceda, Facilities Co-Coordinatoranthony[at]sdaff[dot]org

Born in Michigan, raised in San Diego, standing at 5'4" tall and weighing in at 125 lbs, this former ISKA Amateur Featherweight Champion began his SDAFF experience in 2000 as an unassuming patron. Two years later he quit smoking, signed on as a volunteer, and his life was forever changed. Fast forward a few years - after 16 amateur bouts, a short career in massage therapy, a handful of hip-hop dance competitions, and dozens of SDAFF Street Team events - we now find Anthony browsing swatches of table cloths, organizing vendors, pondering deeply, and lifting heavy loads, working as a Facilities Coordinator and un-official SDAFF ninja. Be careful: He is silent, but deadly. Astrological signs: Metal Rooster / Taurus Myers-Briggs Personality: INTP

Chris Paffendorf, Production Coordinatorpaff[at]sdaff[dot]org

Paff, as many call him, is a devoted follower – err – supporter of the SDAFF. You can say he’s branded himself as part of the team (ask him to show you the SDAFF logo on his back), and can argue the merits of Asian horror flicks with the best of them. When he's not working as an electronics technician, you can find him ardently cheering on the New Jersey Devils, "sampling" microbrews, or desperately trying to stay on key in his Japanese chorus. Astrological signs: Sheep, Gemini Myers-Briggs Personality: ISTP

Ryan Wong, Web Content Coordinatorryan[at]sdaff[dot]org

After four years of studying supply and demand at UCSD, Ryan Wong emerged as the only economist incapable of balancing a checkbook—a distinction unbeknownst to his current employer. He earns a living designing investment pitch books, creating indecipherable financial charts and testing the limits of acceptable business casual attire. Astrological signs: Sheep, Gemini

Julie Zhan, Volunteer Coordinatorjuliez[at]sdaff[dot]org

Julie immigrated from China at the tender age of seven to a new world of hamburgers and sit-down toilets. Beyond America’s Golden Arches, she discovered a love for dance, theater, film, and everything artsy. In high school, she joined the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, co-founded a dance academy, and proudly holds the title of "Most Likely to Stalk Jackie Chan". Torn between a million dreams at UCSD, she switched majors from dance (prima ballerina) to aerospace engineering (astronaut) to business (creative and executive director). She joined SDAFF when she discovered that it embodied everything she stood for. Astrological signs: Gemini, Dragon Myers-Briggs Personality: ENFD