# White House liaison speaks at DLA Energy Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander event

/ Published June 7, 2024
FORT BELVOIR, Va., 
The deputy assistant to the President of the United States and Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander senior liaison to the White House was a featured spokeswoman during the Defense Logistics Agency Energy AANHPI event at the DLA Headquarters May 21.

                Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. David Kumashiro, right, speaks about the basis of diversity during a discussion panel at the Defense Logistics Agency Energy Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month event May 21, 2024, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Erika Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States and Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander senior Liaison to the White House, and former DLA Energy commander, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jimmy Canlas, also joined the discussion panel to provide insight on heritage, diversity, togetherness, humility, relevance, breaking barriers and more. Photo by Chris Lynch.                            White House liaison speaks at DLA Energy Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander event                            Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. David Kumashiro, right, speaks about the basis of diversity during a discussion panel at the Defense Logistics Agency Energy Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month event May 21, 2024, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Erika Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States and Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander senior Liaison to the White House, and former DLA Energy commander, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jimmy Canlas, also joined the discussion panel to provide insight on heritage, diversity, togetherness, humility, relevance, breaking barriers and more. Photo by Chris Lynch.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: DoD Photo by Chris LynchVIRIN: 240523-D-HE260-1003

Erika Moritsugu said her drive for public service in government and law stemmed from the roots of her family’s military service dating back to World War II and her Asian American heritage.

“I'm fiercely American, but I also hold deeply Asian values because of my multi-generational background,” Moritsugu said. 

Moritsugu said her family served the nation with the biggest heroism, gallantry, and sacrificial service. She credits them for paving the way for breaking the barrier of the “bamboo ceiling,” a term coined and popularized in 2005 by author Jane Hyun. For Moritsugu, the future requires everyone to work together.

“Current and future leaders must act as a coalition because accomplishments aren’t achieved alone,” Moritsugu said. “Community togetherness with intentionality will create a space for us to empower each other regardless of race, religion, geographic or generational background because we all have a measure of power and contributions to make.”

Former DLA Energy commander, retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jimmy Canlas, served as the moderator for the two-person discussion panel that provided insight on heritage, diversity, togetherness, humility, relevance, breaking barriers and more.

David Kumashiro was also a panelist. The retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general’s family footprint of military and government service drove his decision to join the military.

“Not only did family and friends contribute to my support system throughout the course of my military career, but it was also incredible commanders and supervisors that took the time to mentor me to be able to show me what it meant to be a servant leader while making good decisions,” Kumashiro said.

Kumashiro provided insight from his civilian job in technology.

“The basis of diversity is humility, and I’m taking that into account in the emerging tech and innovation side of the house,” Kumashiro said. “These are big areas that we have to take advantage of because we can't afford the lack of humility and the lack of new innovation.”

Kumashiro discussed Asian American talent management in the workforce. For him, ensuring prevention of stagnation, continued curiosity, continued skill development, and valued proposition will enable the enhancement of the military and the armed forces.

“We need to remain relevant with technological advancements,” Kumashiro said. “Find the right team of technologists that understand how to integrate advancing technology and get it into the hands of warfighters. Every Captain Kirk needs their Spock.”

During his remarks, DLA Energy Deputy Commander David Kless said the greatness of the nation was built and maintained not only by the hard work and dedication of our people, but by the rich diversity of our experiences, traditions, and cultures. America is home to 24 million Asian Americans and almost 2 million Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders which includes members of DLA’s workforce. Kless noted that relations abroad with Indo-Pacific partners across the region is an essential component of America’s future.

“Together, we persist in addressing global challenges and safeguarding our shared vision of the world while investing in people-to-people connections fostered in DLA and across Indo-Pacific,” Kless said. “Let’s use this month as an opportunity to leverage ties and collaborative mission efforts while increasing awareness of AANHPI cultural and historical roots.”

After the panel discussion, DLA Energy Acquisition Executive Gabby Earhardt gave closing remarks encouraging the audience to look beneath the surface of myths and misperceptions that Asian Americans and other minority groups endure along with taking pride in the diversity that strengthens us.

“In the end, if there’s one thing that’s crystal clear, it’s this: take pride in being Asian, take pride in being a Pacific Islander, take pride in being a Native Hawaiian, and take pride in being American,” Earhardt said. “Know that we are stronger because of our differences, not in spite of them.”