Gang Chen bio, Gang Chen for Mayor 2016,

Irvine City Council Candidate Gang Chen's Bio (My story):

My fellow Irvine residents,

My name is Gang (pronounced "Gong") Chen. I have been a resident of Irvine for 18 years. I am a Christian, a USC alumnus, a licensed architect in California, and an expert in LEED, green buildings and sustainable development. I care more about getting the job done. I am more a middle of the road guy, or a centrist.

Like many Americans, I worked hard and realized my American Dream. I am one of you. America is the greatest place, and it has given me so much.

As a citizen who was given such a great opportunity to achieve the American Dream, I now have the desire and responsibility to give back and serve our community.

I believe public service is one of the best ways to give back, and I believe I can best do so by serving as a city council in my own city, the beautiful city of Irvine.

I graduated in 1987 from South China University of Science and Technology (SCUT) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture. In 1990, I was honored to receive a scholarship from the University of Southern California (USC) to come the United States to study. I earned a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from the School of Architecture in 1993 and also enrolled and studied for one year in the PhD program of the USC School of Planning, with a Research Assistantship focusing on traffic studies.

I am a real estate broker (DRE license # 01232392) and a licensed architect in California, and a LEED AP BD+C. I have extensive training and experience and made substantial contributions in Urban and Regional Planning, Master Planning, LEED, Green Building and sustainable development, Architecture, and Landscape Architecture. Many of the projects I was in charge of, or participated in, have been published extensively in Architecture, Architectural Record, The Los Angeles Times, The Orange County Register, etc. I played a leading role in many unusual projects, including a number of regional and neighborhood shopping centers in Southern California. My books on green buildings and LEED have been consistently ranked as the bestsellers in the world on the subject.

I have been actively involved in community services and activities. As early as 1990, I was a board member of a student association in USC. In Irvine, I have also been involved in many community activities and have led the efforts of Irvine residents to call, write and send e-mails to city, county and state governments to express their concerns on critical issues that affect the quality of life of Irvine. I have the courage to fight for you and the desire to serve the community.

Irvine is a great place to work and live. Irvine was one of the first great master planned cities in America. As an experienced architect, I desire to bring Irvine back to its roots and to ensure that the feeling of "a family ranch" is never lost as we become a modern international destination. I will lead the effort to re-evaluate and revamp the original Irvine Master Plan prepared by my fellow Architect, William Pereira, to meet the needs of Irvine's current and projected population, and create smart and sustainable growth.

The issues that Irvine faces are complex but there are solutions. See my campaign platform for my specific solutions to Irvine's unique issues and challenges.

I would be honor to have your vote. Join me in restoring the Irvine government to "government of the people, by the people, for the people." Please vote for me and ask all your friends and relatives to vote for me. Together, we can make Irvine a better city for YOU! May God bless America! May God bless Irvine!