Board of Directors

Jack Hwang Chair

Jack was born in Taiwan but grew up in California. He embraced a global perspective early in life, which was further shaped by his academic journey.

As an undergraduate, Jack attended Johns Hopkins University, where he majored in International Relations with a Minor in Economics. He then pursued an MBA from the Wharton School and an MA in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. His education also included a year as an exchange student at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan.

Professionally, Jack started his career in the financial services industry, working for prominent companies like Andersen and AIG. In 2008, he transitioned into his family’s business, where he developed a deep appreciation for the complexities of succession management. Leveraging his global insights and strategic thinking, Jack successfully expanded the family’s school operations internationally. Today, he owns and manages various preschools and elementary schools across China and the United States.

Jack is multilingual, fluent in English, Mandarin and also speaks Japanese, Spanish, Taiwanese, and Cantonese, reflecting his diverse experiences living in cities like Los Angeles, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, and Taipei.

He is also a proud father of three boys, all of whom currently attend elementary, middle, and high school at KAS. Jack hopes to bring his unique blend of skills, global perspectives, and hands-on experience in school management to help elevate KAS to new heights.

Neil Gibson Vice Chair, AIT/K Representative

Neil Gibson arrived in Kaohsiung in August 2023 to assume his duties as the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Kaohsiung Branch Chief. He takes great pride in being the parent of three KAS dragons, each attending a different school level: High School, Middle School, and Elementary School.

Since joining the U.S. Department of State in 2009, he has served at the U.S. Embassy to Japan, the American Institute in Taiwan in Taipei, the U.S. Embassy to the Philippines, the U.S. Mission to the OECD in Paris, and the U.S. Embassy to Iraq. Mr. Gibson is a recipient of two Department of State Superior Honor Awards and the Sinclaire Language Award.

Prior to his career in the Foreign Service, he was an International Investment Specialist at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Mr. Gibson holds a master’s degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business from California State University, Fresno.

Mr. Gibson is from California and speaks Mandarin Chinese and Japanese.

Johnson Tsai Treasurer

Ellen Tsai Secretary

Ellen Tsai was born and raised in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and moved to Canada for her university education, earning a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Victoria. After completing her studies, she gained valuable experience in the trading industry, working for companies in both Hong Kong and Japan. This experience provided her with strong analytical and strategic planning skills that she now applies in her current role.

Currently, Ellen oversees the operations of her family business, which specializes in the import and export of petrochemical equipment. Her career trajectory has included roles from project manager to operations director, where she manages projects on a global scale.

Ellen's dedication extends beyond her professional life. As a KAS parent for nine years, with two children currently attending the school—one in middle school and the other in elementary—she has a strong understanding of the school community. In the 2022-2023 academic year, she served as the president of the Middle School Parent Teacher Association (PTA), where she successfully facilitated communication between parents and school administration, enhancing the partnership between home and school.

With her extensive experience in business and active involvement in the school community, Ellen is committed to contributing to the school board. She plans to leverage her skills and insights to support the school’s vision and mission, ensuring the continued excellence of KAS. Ellen is eager to collaborate with fellow board members, parents, and educators to foster a nurturing environment for all students.

John Chen

John Chen, a father of twin boys in 7th grade who have attended KAS for eight years, has a diverse background shaped by his upbringing between the United States and Taiwan due to his father’s business ventures. This exposure to different cultures has given him a deep appreciation for diversity.

Although John pursued international business in college, it was during his time in the military that he discovered his true passion—fitness. The discipline he cultivated there transformed his life. After gaining experience working with various fitness companies in Taiwan, John went on to found Fitness Factory (健身工廠). Today, it stands as one of Taiwan’s top fitness chains, boasting over 75 locations and more than 290,000 members. Fitness Factory offers a wide range of services, from state-of-the-art workout equipment to group fitness classes like yoga, Zumba, and spinning. Personal training is also a key feature, tailored to different fitness goals. Notably, Fitness Factory was the first Taiwanese fitness brand to go public and has earned international certifications for its quality of service.

Dr. Bo-Cheng Lai

Bo-Cheng Lai joined the Board of Directors of KAS in June 2022. He has two children, one in middle school and one in high school at KAS. Bo-Cheng obtained his Ph.D degree from the electrical engineering department of UCLA, and worked as a staff scientist in a chip design company in the Silicon Valley. Bo-Cheng is currently a full professor at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. He has accumulated extensive experience in higher education system and high-tech industry in both US and Taiwan.

John Lee

John Lee is enjoying his 10th year at KAS and is the proud parent of a son in grade 10 and daughter in grade 9.

John is a chemical engineer, TEDx Speaker, and author. As the CEO of Timeless Truth Mask, he's revolutionizing facial sheet masks, with distribution in top-tier retailers like Le Bon Marche and Selfridges. He's also the visionary behind Jola International, renowned for its premium skincare products that adhere to strict European standards. Committed to sustainability, he's a member of RE100, advocating for 100% renewable energy.

John is an avid reader and animal lover, and founded BOOKING, a bookstore cafe in Kaohsiung that houses a menagerie of animals including chameleons, giant tortoises, and more. An active sports enthusiast, he's a licensed tennis coach, a golfer, snowboarder, and wakeboarder. He is also a prolific writer, with publications in international journals and authorship of multiple books, including "當我不再像自己時，我終於活出自己." He also contributes as a columnist for《天下雜誌》Commonwealth Magazine.

Ida Tai

Ida Tai is a proud parent of two KAS alumni.

From 2013 to 2016, she served on the KAS Board of Directors, and she is now active in the solar photovoltaic industry. Ida is honored to be returning to the KAS Board and is excited to contribute to the continued success of the school and its community.

Daniel Wu