ASIJ Alumni Council - Council Information

Alumni Council Information

The ASIJ Alumni Council of the American School in Japan has existed for many years but was reconstituted in the fall of 2005 under a new constitution and a new leadership elected from a broader constituency than in the past.

TAC's purpose is to nurture and preserve the best interests and excellence of ASIJ and to foster greater communication between the school and its alumni/ae and among alumni/ae.

We aim to do this by building an active and fun organization to celebrate the shared alumni/ae experience and continue it throughout a lifetime; strengthening ties with, and supporting, students, faculty, the administration and its Boards of Directors and Trustees; promoting the interests of alumni/ae at large in coordination with other regional alumni groups; instituting an active program of mentoring and providing network support for younger alumni as they begin life beyond graduation; and supporting the school and its students.

Tokyo Alumni Council Constitution

ASIJ Alumni Council Executive Board (2007)

Jon "Jed" Dreisker (1979), President

Born 6/29/1961, Oklahoma, USA. Lived throughout the US, in Nigeria and ultimately moved to Japan in 1973 (8th-grade year). Subsequently attended Amherst College in Massachusetts and Oklahoma University College of Law (graduating in 1987). Joined Marubeni Corporation in New York and worked for them in New York, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur and Colorado Springs. After Marubeni, worked for Entegris in Tokyo until starting my own semiconductor equipment trading company.

Jon "Jed" Dreisker (1979), Interim Vice-President

Mark Willis (1988), Communications Chair

Born to an American father and Japanese mother, I have lived and traveled extensively around the world. After graduating from Babson College in Boston, I relocated to Los Angeles where I attended the Gemological Institute of America and became a Graduate Gemologist. Most of my work experience has been in the diamond business, and I currently have my own company based here in Tokyo (Diama-Global).

Anna Sasaki Saito (1988), Treasurer

Born in the US, and lived traveling between Tokyo and Hawaii for many years. I attended ASIJ for a total of 9 years. Worked at Warner Bros. Consumer Products a division of Time-Warner Entertainment for 7 years, but with the birth of my daughter, Mailie-Leilani, I have completely changed careers and am now working in the education field.

Ted Skillman (1973), Fundraising Chair

Born and raised in Japan. Started Skillman & Co. Ltd. in Japan over 25 years ago. Specializes in Direct Marketing of personalized stationery and gifts via catalogues and the web (DearCards.com) throughout Japan. Now has one daughter in the ASIJ curriculum, sitting in classrooms that he once sat in himself, and served 5 years as VP of the Tokyo Alumni Council.

Joe Schmelzeis (1980), Auditor

Born in New York, NY. Moved to Japan at age 13, attended and met my best friends at ASIJ. Attended college and business school in the US, but have lived and worked primarily in Asia (Tokyo, Taipei, Hong Kong, Beijing, Fukuoka) ever since. Currently CFO of a start-up hedge fund based in Tokyo.

Tomi Takahashi (1984), Honorary Chairman

After graduating from Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA., Tomi started to work in real estate and now has his own company T&T Corporation. Serves as a Senior Board member for the Japan Taekwondo Federation and Asia Taekwondo Union. Parent of two daughters, Monica and Emma, who attend ASIJ elementary school. Was president of Tokyo Alumni Council for five years (2000-2005).

Council Advisors

Ki Nimori, Honorary Advisor

photo of Ki Nimori

Now retired, Mr. Nimori taught art and ceramics at ASIJ for over 40 years -- from 1960 to 2002 -- and was ASIJ's karate instructor. Nimori-sensei continues his association with ASIJ by serving as our Honorary Advisor, and continues to share his artistic talent with the ASIJ community-at-large. His Tokyo Alumni Council emblem (see page banner above) has been used on everything from pocket calendars to Alumni happi coats.

Steve Sundberg, Site Producer

A 30-year radio broadcast veteran who got his start at NHK while attending ASIJ, Steve is currently employed by CBS Radio as a staff announcer in Minneapolis, MN. He also free-lances as a Web site producer, designing and managing sites for a limited clientele in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Chicago, and Tokyo as well as dabbling in his own online projects such as OldTokyo.com.

Current Tokyo Time
10.Mar.2010

08:40 AM