A USPS employee has formed a group to provide professional development, networking and other opportunities for Asian-American employees.
Postal Employees Asian American Association Committed and Engaged (PEAAACE) is based in Western Area, although organizers want to start chapters across the United States.
“The group will support, motivate, provide networking opportunities and encourage its members. In time, I would like to get the group involved in Asian community events outside of the Postal Service,” said Marlene Perez, the Colorado/Wyoming District senior field account representative who established the group.
The inspiration for PEAAACE came from similar external groups for postal employees, according to Perez, who will mark 29 years with USPS in October.
“We have HOPE, the Hispanic Organization of Postal Employees. We have A-PLUS, the African American Postal League United for Success. I thought, there’s a group missing. There’s no group for Asian employees,” she said.
Approximately 90 employees, including several managers and supervisors, attended PEAAACE’s inaugural meeting last month at the Denver Processing and Distribution Center.
“We want to let employees know there is an organization that will support them,” said Yen Ha, Colorado/Wyoming District’s acting health and resource manager and a 20-year USPS employee. “PEAAACE is a way we can support each other.”
PEAAACE, which expects to elect officers later in June, plans to meet at least once a month. Membership in the group is voluntary.
Said Perez: “Employee engagement is an important USPS initiative. And this group is aligned with that initiative.”