JASH Gala 2015 was held on October 31, 2015 at the Omni Hotel and Resorts Galleria Houston.
Co-chaired by George Avdey, CEO and President of Kuraray America, Inc., and Miwa Sakashita, the event showcased Japan's splendid blend of traditions and modern culture through a "Journey Through Japan: From Antiquity to Today."
Joining in the celebration was Honorary Chair Hideki Kunugi, Senior Vice President and General Manager of The Americas of All Nippon Airways (ANA), who played a key role in making possible the daily non-stop flight between Houston and Tokyo by ANA from June of this year.
Keynote Speaker Harris County Judge Ed Emmett also honored JASH with his presence and special stories from his own Japan journeys.
The annual gala, which features a cocktail reception, a silent auction, and a seated dinner, is JASH's primary fundraiser and secures support for programs that highlight the important and increasingly dynamic cooperation between Japan and the United States.
We are grateful to all our sponsors, donors, guests and volunteers for their generous support.
CHIYODA SPONSORS
- Kuraray America, Inc.
- Dr. John Stroehlein and Miwa Sakashita
HANZOMON SPONSORS
- The Friedkin Group
- Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas)
- Satake USA Inc.
MITA SPONSORS
- Air Liquide Large Industries US, L.P.
- Chemic Engineers
- JGC Energy Development (USA) Inc.
- Joe and Merrill Hafner
- Dr. Ritsuko Komaki and Dr. James Cox
- Mayer Brown
- Yasuhiko and Akemi Saitoh
- Sumitomo Corporation of Americas
- William and Linda Weiland
- Yokogawa Corporation of America
UNDERWRITERS
- Kuraray America, Inc.
- BakerHostetler
- INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA
HOST COMMITTEE
- A.O. International
- BDP International
- Beirne, Maynard & Parsons, L.L.P.
- Cole Chemical & Distributing, Inc.
- Harold S. Goldstein
- Glen and Kathy Gondo
- U.S.-Japan Council
- Nanako and Dale Tingleaf
- Tokio Marine
- Vale Russell
DONORS
- Computerdojo, Inc.
- FDIII LLC
- F-O-R-T-U-N-E Personnel Consultants of Houston, Inc.
- Gantrade Corporation
- Mr. and Mrs. Yukio Inagaki
- A.R. “Tony” and Maria J. Sanchez Family Foundation
- George O. Suman, Jr.
- Mr. and Mrs. Barry Hunsaker
- Mrs. Tomiko Mita-Mayo
- Mr. and Mrs. Koushik Mitra
- NA Industries, Inc.
- Mr. and Mrs. Yukio Inagaki
- Mrs. Akiko Sato-Fredricks
- Mrs. Chiharu Hakone
- Mrs. Tomoe VonGruenigen
- Ms. Joanie Patrick
- Prof. and Mrs. William Cunningham
Special thanks go to:
- Consul-General Nozomu Takaoka and Mrs. Yumi Takaoka
- Mistress of Ceremonies Shara Fryer
- Kuraray America, Inc.
- Mrs. LaVerl Daily and The Tachibana Ikebana Center
- Our many volunteers, particularly those from Satake USA, Inc.