By Assunta Ng
Northwest Asia Weekly
Fang Mike
The White House just announced that Mike Fang, the former senior deputy mayor of Seattle, will become the new Director of the Small Business Administration in the 10th District of the United States.
District 10 includes regional offices in Alaska, Idaho, Washington and Oregon, which have more than 1.3 million small businesses and more than 2.7 million jobs.
Fang, 44, told Northwest Asia Weekly that he was happy to have the opportunity to help small businesses “recover and flourish.” Fong was born in Spokane and he said he grew up in a small business.
“I have a front row seat of pride and work ethics, and I see how hard my dad and mom work in the catering industry.”
Fang’s father owned and worked in Chinese restaurants for decades in Idaho and Spokane.
“I know directly how difficult it is to run a small business.” Fong grew up in his father’s restaurant, where he always helped cut onions, made preparations and waited for the table in the kitchen. His parents worked in the kitchen for a long time, and his father had to close his restaurant in Idaho after being affected by the building project next door.
Fang’s contribution
Fang, who is in charge of Mayor Jenny Durkan’s cabinet and executive team, said: “I work hard to ensure that the voice of the community can play a role in the dialogue and decision-making process.”
As a bridge between the mayor’s office and the Asian community, Fong often meets with members of the Asian community to understand how the city plays a role.
Tony Au, a supporter of A Fong, said: “Michael has done a lot for the community. He inspired us to participate in Seattle politics. He educates us about policies and their impact on the community. This is how we organize the community to support the Seattle police to raise wages and other issues. Questions about the reason for lobbying the city council. I didn’t know much about politics before, and I learned a lot from him.”
Fang’s words mean action. He has the ear of the mayor. After the Chinatown International District (CID) was looted and destroyed by the Black Lives Matter separatist organization in May 2020, and at other times during the pandemic, he was meeting with the mayor of the community leader. He supports funding CID community groups so that they can survive.
When the CID business was first affected by COVID in February 2020, Fong urged Durkan and her team to follow the example of dining at the CID restaurant in order to support the community. Durkan paid the bill. Several city departments and their staff followed closely behind. They dine together at the CID restaurant and order takeout regularly.
CID community members have been distressed by the increasing number of garbage dumps and dirt near the homeless camps under the alleys, streets and highways. Illegal dumping of garbage is a problem nearby. Au recorded CID conditions to show Fong. The city immediately dispatched cleaning trucks and doubled CID’s cleaning schedule. A lot of garbage was cleaned up. Fong is also working with municipal authorities to increase funding for CID’s cleaning work.
However, Fong said that he is most proud of “the work we have done around the creation of the Seattle Preschool Program and Seattle’s commitment. It will have a lasting impact on the city’s young people in the coming years.” He manages policy work through the mayor. , While passing the parliament while legislating. Then he helped them pass in a public vote.
As a role model for the Chinese community, Fang is one of the few American-born Chinese officials who can speak fluent Cantonese. What is impressive is that he can deliver speeches to Chinese audiences in Cantonese on Lunar New Year and other occasions. He hopes that his work will inspire more young people to devote themselves to public service.
Need a village
Fang’s journey to accept President Joe Biden’s appointment passed through a village. Former Governor Gary Locke and former Seattle Deputy Mayor Kim Hejin led an AAPI community letter campaign in support of his appointment. In June last year, nearly 100 Asian community and business leaders signed the letter.
“I have known Mike for many years and have worked closely with him for nearly four years during my tenure in the mayor’s office,” said consultant Jin. “His analytical and political skills are strong, but his firm commitment to the community balances this. He will become a tireless champion of small businesses in our region.”
Fong also thanked the Washington State Congressional delegation for their support, including Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell; and Congressmen Pramila Jayapal, Marilyn Strickland and others.
Fong praised Durkan for suggesting that he seek a date with the SBA while brainstorming. He worked for eight years under the leadership of two mayors Durkan and Ed Murray and King County Chief Executive Dow Constantine.
Currently, since September, Fong has been serving as Senior Advisor and Chief Recovery and Rehabilitation Officer for short-term assignments for Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers (Dave Somers).
“This is great news for Snohomish County, Washington State, and the entire region,” Summers said. “Michael’s extensive experience and wide-ranging talents will become an asset to many small businesses and workers that have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful that Michael helped us organize and launch our recovery and recovery office.”
Fong graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in political science and will start working under the leadership of SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman on January 5, 2022. Approximately 100 people will report to Fong from regional offices in the four states.
Assunta can be reached assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
