Douglas G. Erber is President of the Japan America Society of Southern California. He has been an active member of the Society since 1993, when he became a Director for the Orange County Regional Chapter. The following year he became the Regional Director for the Orange County & South Bay Chapters. In 1995 he became the Acting Executive Director, transitioning to Vice President the following year and in 2002 became President.

As President, Erber reports to, supports and works closely with the Society’s Chairman and Board of Directors to refine the strategic direction of the organization and to develop specific action plans to achieve agreed-upon strategic objectives. He works regularly throughout Southern California and in Japan to establish and maintain key partnerships and relationships with organizations and corporations with interest in the United States–Japan relationship. Erber is responsible for the Society’s fundraising efforts, for cultivating and maintaining personal contact with the Society’s membership and high donors, and for overseeing the responsible financial management of the Society. He also works to inspire, motivate and lead the Society’s small but efficient staff.

Erber obtained his Bachelor of Arts from California State University in Long Beach. He completed the Japanese Business Certificate Program and the China Business Certificate Program from the University of Southern California and the Management Studies Certificate Program from the University of California in Irvine.

Erber grew up in Huntington Beach, California and in 1984 he made his first trip to Japan through his hometown’s Sister City Student Ambassador exchange program. For several years afterwards, Erber exported premium surfboards and surf apparel to Japan. From 1989 to 1991, he worked in Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, where he led the city’s international outreach efforts in the Mayor’s Secretarial Department; he also taught English in the city’s public junior high schools and at the city’s community center. Prior to Joining the Japan America Society, Erber worked at the World Trade Center Offices of CSULB’s University Extension where he was responsible for marketing executive education courses including, “The Japanese Manager in the U.S.: Essential Bi-Cultural Management Skills” and “An Insider’s Guide to Penetrating the Japanese Market.”

Erber is active with a number of organizations, including:

Erber lives in Long Beach, California with his wife Mieko, son Ryan Kenji (age 5) and daughter Katherine Minami (age 3). He cherishes his role as husband and father and still enjoys surfing when time permits.

The Japan America Society of Southern California was founded in 1909 to build economic, cultural, governmental and personal relationships between the people of Japan and America. The Society is the West Coast’s leading organization focused on U.S.–Japan affairs. It is a non-profit, charitable and educational organization consisting of individuals and corporations with an interest in Japan and in United States–Japan relations. Membership consists of 130 Corporate, and over 2,000 individual members. The Society offers unique opportunities to become involved in the business and cultural relationship between the two countries. Its active calendar of events includes breakfast and luncheon programs, business networking mixers, weekend family events, and programs highlighting art, music, fashion, film, performing arts and other special activities. www.jas-socal.org