November 17, 2008 - The National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) proudly congratulates its very own Jay Zheng, President of the NAAAP Colorado Chapter, and J.D. Hokoyama, Senior Advisor and Exec. Dir. of LEAP, for their recognition in the Diversity Edge Magazine's Diversity Champions 2008.

The D.E. Diversity Champions 2008 list highlights a group of 20 diverse and dynamic individuals and recognizes them for their commitment to and achievements in diversity. Jay Zheng and J.D. Hokoyama were among the 20 individuals chosen for the honor this year.

NAAAP is also pleased to announce that Naomi Takeuchi, NAAAP National Programs Chair, is a recipient of the President’s Select Distinguished Division and Division Governor of the Year Awards from Toastmasters International. Naomi served as the District 37 Division E Governor overseeing six Area Governors responsible for over 30 Toastmasters club in her Division within the State of North Carolina. She earned the President’s Select Distinguished award, the highest award for Division Governors that can be earned, through the education and leadership awards that are achieved by her Area Governors and respective clubs.

At the District 37 Toastmasters Conference in Durham on November 8th, she was recognized as “Toastmasters Division Governor of the Year” for her accomplishments.

Brad Baldia, NAAAP National President & Chairman, said that he is extremely pleased to recognize outstanding achievements by leaders in NAAAP like Jay Zheng, Naomi Takeuchi (a NAAAP National Chair) and J.D. Hokoyama who has been a long-time Senior Advisor to NAAAP. “I’m always impressed at the caliber of professionals that I’m fortunate to be able work with in NAAAP. We are an organization that is completely volunteer-run and over 25 years old. It is because of passionate and exceptional volunteers like Jay, Naomi and J.D. that NAAAP still exists and provides value to Asian professionals as well as its community and corporate partners!”

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The National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership-based organization and is the largest and fastest growing Asian professional association with representation in over 25 cities across the United States and Canada. Its vision is "We Make Leaders!" For more information about the NAAAP, go to www.naaap.org.