STAFF

Lee Ann Kim, Executive Directorleeann[at]sdaff[dot]org619-400-5905

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. Awarded by the San Diego Film Critics Association with the 2011 Kyle Counts Award for her commitment to cinema in San Diego, she was also recognized as a KPBS Community Hero in 2010 and one of the Top 50 People to Watch in 2009 by San Diego Magazine. She loves films that make her cry and laugh so hard she coughs up a lung. On her list of other top loves – her husband, two sons, dark chocolate, and singing cheesy 80s songs. Astrological signs: Dog, Virgo; Myers-Briggs Personality: ESFJ

Brian Hu, Artistic Directorbrian[at]sdaff[dot]org619-400-5908

Brian Hu has the rare ability to see an ungodly number of movies in a single day, which came in handy during his past lives as a film PhD student at UCLA and as a critic/editor for Asia Pacific Arts. When not force-feeding art cinema to college students and festival-goers, he's contemplating transnational cultural formations, popping gummy bears, or sweating to Sam Cooke, Live at the Harlem Square Club. You may also catch him in the dark corner of a karaoke bar. Astrological signs: Taurus/Gemini, Dog; Myers-Briggs Personality: INFJ

Phillip Lorenzo, Managing Directorphil[at]sdaff[dot]org619-400-5907

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

Lina Park, Membership Directorlina[at]sdaff[dot]org619-400-5910

A social butterfly at heart, Lina lives to meet new people and hear fascinating stories. Before settling into San Diego, she lived as a gypsy moving around to New Jersey, Texas, Georgia, and Michigan. Formerly a public relations executive and a communications director, she's excited to work with SDAFF where she can openly chow down on o-jing-o (salted dry squid) and blissfully watch independent films. She is a lover of everything sweet, including her husband, kids, and anything chocolate. And one day, she will do a triathlon (and not just talk about it). Astrological signs: Pisces, Ox; Myers-Briggs Personality: ENFJ

Elgin Aguilar, Executive Managerelgin[at]sdaff[dot]org619-400-5905

A Type A personality in sheep's clothing, Elgin has recently vowed to use his innate super-ability to alphabetize and organize for the good of (wo)mankind. Before transitioning to the world of non-profit, Elgin has worked with San Diego-based Fortune 500s on branding, business development, and overall efficiency. An unhealthy, obsessive love for planning and coordinating led him to gain his certification in Event & Meeting Management. A stiff gin & tonic, Big Band music, and tantalizing philosophical conversation will guarantee a smile on his face, especially when enjoyed at the same time. Astrological Signs: Libra, Rat; Meyers-Briggs Personality: INFJ

Pavee Suvagondha, HR Gurupavee[at]sdaff[dot]org

Also answering to "HR Guy," Pavee grew up in Bangkok before flying the coop, arriving in the US and working his way from Boston to San Diego. In the process he got his MBA and doctorate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Pavee loves traveling, painting, shopping, and photography. For extra credit, see if you can find the street named after him in Paris and his cooking show video where he makes his famous hotdog fried rice. Astrological signs: Rat, Libra; Myers-Briggs Personality: ENTJ

Jini Shim, Reel Voices Assistantjini[at]sdaff[dot]org

Jini always knew that her passion lay in teaching and making videos. What's better than to combine the two?! For that, she is excited to be working as the Reel Voices Assistant, and even more excited to work with SDAFF, which she first joined in 2008 as a college intern. After traveling as near as Los Angeles and as far as Pusan working for various film festivals, she is now back with her first love, SDAFF. You can often spot her attempting to perfect her French 'rrr's, or interrogating subjects with her handy dandy digicam for YouTube. Astrological signs: Aries, Rabbit; Myers-Briggs Personality: INFP

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

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

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

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

Rommel Andaya, Video Production Coordinatorrommel[at]sdaff[dot]org

A native of Oxnard, Rommel ended up in San Diego because of the Navy. Returning back to school, he decided not to pursue Electrical Engineering but pursue filmmaking. The idea of making movies began when he watched his most favorite movie ever, Back to the Future. As a kid, Rommel documented everything with his Dad's Camcorder. Presently, Rommel spends his weekends filming with several Wedding Cinematography companies and projects for his own production company. He's a super techie geek who can be caught yearly at Comic-Con. He is a lover of 80's/90's stuff, Apple and is a DJ who likes to make slow jam mixes. Astrological signs: Dragon, Sagittarius

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