John Yen Wong Named New AREAA CEO
John Yen Wong, Founding Chairman of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), has been named the association’s Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2009. Wong assumes the role of CEO, while Jim Park, AREAA’s President and CEO since 2005, will continue to volunteer his time with the association and serve as its President. In AREAA’s new organizational structure, Wong will manage the association’s day-to-day operations, and will share with Park the role of representing AREAA in homeownership and policy initiatives that impact the Asian American communities.

In making the announcement, AREAA Chairman Allen Chiang said, “John Wong is recognized throughout our industry for his tireless efforts on behalf of Asian American homeowners and his commitment to diversity. We are delighted that he has agreed to assume this new role in managing the strategic direction for AREAA.

“We are also pleased that Jim Park will remain on the leadership team as President. During Jim’s tenure as President and CEO, AREAA has grown to more than 14,000 members in 38 states and has become a strong voice in representing the interests of Asian Americans in the arena of national housing policy. I am delighted that Jim will continue to focus a significant amount of his time to further the mission of AREAA.”

John Yen Wong has deep roots in the real estate industry and has been actively involved since 1981. In 2003, Realtor Magazine named him as one the 25 most influential people in real estate, and he was recognized as AREAA’s 2006 "Real Estate Person of the Year."

Wong has also served as the 2004 National President of the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB) and the 2005 President of the San Francisco Association of Realtors. He chaired the National Association of Realtors' Equal Opportunity and Cultural Diversity Committee in 2008.

Professionally, Wong is also a consultant with Compensation Master, a Charlotte-based business management firm and is a licensed California real estate broker.

Wong said “I thank Allen Chiang and the rest of the AREAA board for their confidence in me to help manage the direction of the association. I am firmly committed to the future of our association and believe that the mission of AREAA is more relevant today than it has ever been. Working with Allen Chiang, Jim Park, and the rest of the leadership team, I believe that our future will be strong and impactful.”

AREAA is the only trade organization that represents the diverse Asian American community and gives Asian real estate professionals a voice in the various policy and business discussions that affect the real estate market and Asian American consumers. For information, visit www.AREAA.org. Among its many educational and networking opportunities, AREAA will hold its 4th annual Real Estate Convention & Gala Oct. 25-27, 2009, at the Palazzo Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas. For information about the convention, visit www.AREAA.org/convention.