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New Asian American Commission begins organizing, plans to recruit executive director and build statewide programs
Summary
Ryo Suzuki, chair, described the commission's formation last year and its early work to recruit an executive director, lay out priorities around business, education and wellness, and begin outreach to Nebraska's diverse Asian communities; commissioners asked for continued support to hire staff through shared services.
Ryo Suzuki, chairman of the recently formed Nebraska Commission on Asian American Affairs, told the Appropriations Committee the commission has met as a board, formed an executive committee and is preparing to recruit an executive director through shared services with other state agencies.
Suzuki said the commission was established by the Legislature last year and that the board has been meeting and developing an administrative foundation. "This commission is just getting started," he said, and asked for support to hire an executive director who can build programs in business attraction, workforce development and community engagement.
Maureen Braese, a commission member, described the diversity of Asian populations in Nebraska and noted disparities such as poverty rates and lack of health insurance and broadband access in parts of the community. She said the commission aims to coordinate language and cultural access, education and workforce connections for employers such as Kawasaki Heavy Industries and others that have a presence in Nebraska.
Suzuki said the commission plans to use existing state hiring and shared-service mechanisms (for example, recruiting through the Department of Administrative Services) to identify a strong candidate. No formal appropriations vote was recorded during the hearing.
