Warren Minami, Japanese American, was born in San Francisco, sent to War relocation camps during WWII, and moved East to Detroit, and DC. Married with 7 children and 6 grandchildren. Education includes BS, MBA and PhD.

Professional career includes military service during Vietnam era (junior officer), NASA (computer programmer), Smithsonian, Wall Street (corporate vice president), local commercial bank (CEO bank services corporation), and International Monetary Fund (CIO). Traveled throughout the world conducting business for the IMF. Trained to deal in multicultural business environment. Pro bono work past and present includes: 1) chairman of boards: of country club, National Japanese American Memorial for Patriotism during WWII, and Asian American Business Conference, and 2) member of: State of Maryland's Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, Board of Directors of Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce, Board of Governors for National Japanese American Museum, Board of JACL, board of credit unions, and many professional/sports/civic/social organizations. Part-time professor in graduate programs at John Hopkins University, American University, and others. Interests are golf, bridge, chess, judo, quiz shows, NCIS TV show and being grandpa.

Currently, the best Japanese gardener on our street in Potomac, Maryland.

Dr. Minami held a Ph.D. in business administration from American University and was a retired senior executive with the International Monetary Fund.

Born in San Francisco in 1938, as a child he was interned at the Gila River Relocation Center in Arizona during World War II. After being released from the camp in 1943, his family moved to Detroit and then settled in Washington, D.C., in 1945. Dr. Minami is an alumnus of Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C., and San Jose State College in California. He served as an Air Force officer from 1962 to 1965.

As a young man, he won numerous awards competing in judo, in which he held a third-degree black belt. He was a member of San Jose State’s storied judo team, competed for a spot on the U.S. Olympic judo team when the sport was introduced in 1964 and took first place in the 165-pound division of the Air Force Worldwide Judo Championship in 1965. He enjoyed playing cards, was an avid golfer, and served as the president of the board of the Bretton Woods Recreation Center. Dr. Minami was also actively involved in the Asian American community. He served on the board of governors of the Japanese American National Museum, was the chair of the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation, was appointed to the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs under the Ehrlich administration, and was a longtime member of a number of other community organizations, including the Japanese American Citizens League and the Japanese American Veterans Association.

He is survived by his wife, Carol A. Henry-Minami; his children, Wayde R. Minami (Christie), Kristine M. Minami (John Conger), W. Douglas Minami, Peter C. Puleio II, Stephanie M. Puleio (Aaron Whittier), Susan A. Puleio (Larry Shea), and Carla M. Minami; brothers Wayne H. Minami (Arlene) and W.D. “Denny” Minami (Ida); grandchildren Peyton M. Elmendorf, Alexander R. Puleio, Addison P. Puleio, Gavin M. Puleio, Emersyn A.G. Puleio, and Conner J.F. Minami. He is remembered well by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, his aunt, and friends around the world. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Henry K. Minami and Claire F. Minami.