Make Sure your vote counts

To make sure your vote counts, please take extra care to check your ballot and complete following steps:

Each parent votes separately – one ballot for each parent.

Vote for TWO (2) candidates by checking the box next to the name of the candidate you wish to vote for on the ballot.

The completed ballot should be sealed inside the ballot envelope which is then sealed inside the return envelope. The return envelope must be signed. Do not let your spouse to sign for you.

Ballot boxes are available in the main office of each division on both SAS campuses. You may:
deliver your ballot to school personally;
or send it in with your child;
or mail the ballot to SAS.  
If you choose to mail it, please allow enough time for the post office to deliver the ballot before the voting deadline.

All ballots must be received by 5:00 pm. on April 30, 2010 at SAS.

Meet the candidates

STELLA CHAN: Professional qualifications
Stella Chan is a native of Hong Kong, and was educated and lived in the U.S. for 20 years.  She is a business executive with over 15 years of successful track record in strategic management, marketing, channel development, retail and OEM business. She moved to China 5 years ago and is currently a vice president of Asia Sales and Marketing of a U.S.-headquartered consumer electronics company. Her past corporate experience covered broad geographic areas including negotiating joint venture deals in Taiwan, making manufacturing investments in China, and managing sales and channel distribution business across Asia Pacific.  Previously, she also co-founded an internet start up business in the Silicon Valley, in charge of business development and marketing.

Children at SAS: Austin Yeung,
Grade 4; Madison Yeung, Grade 1;
(SAS Puxi campus)

Why I want to serve on the Board
As a parent, there is nothing more important than the education and future of my children. Besides home, school plays an incredibly critical role in nurturing and shaping the fundamental values of our children. I have been privileged to be able to serve on a couple of Board committees during thecurrent school year. Shanghai American School has aspired to be the best international school in Asia. We care enough to put our children in this school not only because of its reputation, but also because of its vision. To be successful, this vision has to originate from, be articulated by, and resonate throughout the community. This can only be achieved by aligning the efforts with all functions of the school. There is a saying, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world.”  I believe a group of caring and committed parents, together with the Administration, can help shape and improve the school.  We are living in a competitive world – as the school continues to grow, areas of improvements and future directions will need to be addressed.  I care and therefore I’d like to get more involved in the process – to help shape and define the future of our school. Together we should foster a culture where students are inspired with a passion for learning and teachers are engaged, feel invigorated and empowered – and an institution where parents, students, teachers and staff are all proud to be a part.
CHARLES COKER: Professional qualifications
Charles Coker is an attorney based in Morrison & Foerster’s Shanghai office and has advised clients on a broad range of corporate matters. Mr. Coker is a former faculty member of the Department of Music at UCLA. He was also active in the music recording industry in Los Angeles and has recorded with prominent artists such as John Williams, Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, Prince, Harry Connick Jr., and Julie Andrews. Mr. Coker was a Fulbright Scholar to Austria.

Children at SAS: Alexander, Grade 6; Amanda, Grade 2; (SAS Pudong campus)

Why I want to serve on the Board
Education and service to the community are values that I hold dear. At this time in my life, I feel that I have the experience and background to make a contribution to SAS as a member of the Board of Directors. First, I have an extensive background in higher education: 20 years as a university professor, including 10 years on the music faculty at UCLA. Second, as a corporate attorney, I would bring my legal experience and skills to the board to contribute to the future of SAS. Pro-bono service and service to boards of non-profit organizations have been an important element of my legal career and one that I hope to continue at SAS.
On a more personal note, I have experience with international schools and with the prominent cultures present at SAS: U.S., Chinese and Korean. I was born in Korea and grew up as a U.S.-Korean ex-pat, attending Seoul Foreign School for five years. In addition, since my mother was Korean, I was able to more fully experience the richness of Korean culture and society. My bi-cultural experience is in many ways similar to the experience that my children are having in Shanghai at SAS, experiencing the culture and heritage of their Chinese mother. I hope to use my experience and background to contribute to the future of SAS.
I thank you for giving my candidacy your consideration.
THOMAS FERGUSON: Professional qualifications
Education:  BA (Asian History) and MBA (Finance and Operations Research) College of William and Mary.
Work History:
AT&T, 20 years, including several overseas tours in Asia and Europe, including Hong Kong and Taiwan – retired from AT&T as Vice President of Business Development and Strategy Asia/Pacific and China.
President and CEO at Imagem, Inc. 9 years – Imagem is a high tech company which provides testing equipment to the gem industry.
Aep Networks – Sales Director, China. Aep is a network and telecommunications technology company.
Private Consultant, 15 years: provide consulting services to both private companies and governments (Egypt and Turkey) on a range of projects, including strategy, financial restructuring and privatization. Also taught technology professionals (corporate and government) in strategy, business development and planning.

Public Service:
Cub Scout leader for 5 years, including Pack Leader and Treasurer.
Chairman, Information and Technology Advisory Committee, City of Summit (NJ). Led the negotiations between the city and Comcast for the franchise agreement, Verizon expansion of service and new digital services strategy for the city.

Children at SAS: Ian, Grade 8; Grant
Grade 6; 
(SAS Pudong campus)

Why I want to serve on the Board
Public service is an important part of my life, and nothing is as important as those things which affect my family, and particularly my children. I also believe that a sound and thorough education is one of the most important things that parents can provide to a child. Combining these two elements by serving the SAS community would be a privilege.
My experience working with a city government and public utilities, in addition to teaching technology
professionals, will give me added perspective as a board member. In addition, my corporate background in finance and strategic planning provides a solid foundation for acting as a trustee.
It is the responsibility of parents to support the educational community, both in the classroom and outside. As a SAS board member, I would work to maintain the high standards at SAS and to further enhance the total educational experience. Each of us in the community – parents, teachers, administrators – can bring our time and talent to the benefit of the school. The board should be the focal point to allow these groups to work together in the optimal way to create the best educational experience possible. As a member of the board, I would work to manage our resources wisely, maintain the level of professionalism of staff and administration at the highest level, and to engage parents, students and the community to grow and foster our school.
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DAVID LIU: Professional qualifications
Board Experience:
SAS Board Chair in current School Year
Board Secretary in School Year 2008/09
Chair of HR Committee and Co-Chair of Trusteeship Committee in previous school years
Have been on the Board for over 5 years

Work Experience:
Senior partner, Jun He Law Offices, one of the top Chinese law firms; July 2007 – present
Managing Partner, the Shanghai office of Bryan Cave LLP; Feb 2005 – June 2007.
Senior Associate/Counsel, Sidley Austin LLP; July 1999 – Jan 2005.
Associate, various US law firms; Oct. 1991 – June 1999

Education:
Juris Doctor, 1991, University of Notre Dame Law School
 Bachelor of Arts, 1983, Beijing Foreign Studies University

Children at SAS: Louis Suo, Grade 9;
(SAS Puxi campus)

Why I want to serve on the Board
My son is a ninth grader at SAS Puxi Campus. He has attended SAS for all his schooling and plans to finish high school at SAS.
I am a firm believer that the School Board should proactively oversee the quality of our educational programs and ensure the school’s financial health.
If re-elected, I will continue to help ensure that SAS remains a leading international school in Asia, with:
an exemplary American core curriculum with well-balanced extracurricular activities;
well-qualified and dedicated teachers who have valuable U.S. and/or international teaching experience to carry out such a curriculum;
a highly motivated and capable senior administration team who are able to attract and retain high quality teachers.

To help SAS achieve the above objectives, I will continue to volunteer my time out of my busy schedule and valuable family time, and to support the school’s legal and business requirements.
Having lived, studied and worked in both the United States and China, I appreciate and understand the differences between the Chinese culture and U.S. culture, and am able to bridge these differences given my past experience. With my over 5 years of  service on the SAS Board, years of China experience and a passion to serve the community, I feel I can continue making valuable contribution to the SAS Board and the entire SAS community.
Last but not least, if re-elected, I will help preserve the board’s institutional memory, continuity, consistency and stability, which I
believe are critically important to our school community.