About Us
The JET Alumni Association is a world-wide organization aimed at keeping JET Alumni connected to their communities both domestic and abroad. We aim to keep the Southern California and Arizona communities engaged in social, educational, and philanthropic activities throughout the year. Our dedicated volunteer officers and coordinators work together with our Board of Advisors to continue pushing our group into new and exciting avenues.
Officers
Becca Guttentag
Co-President
Michael Coleman
Treasurer
Becca Guttentag is a former JET from Beppu City, Oita Prefecture where she worked as an ALT in ES & JHS between 2014 and 2018. When not enjoying the local onsen and teaching, she also dabbled in translation & interpretation for Beppu City Hall, including helping with the initial preparations for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. On top of this, she was also a member of the local Oita Prefectural AJET chapter for 3 of her 4 years on JET, and spent her last year as the head of the committee, helping to promote cross-cultural engagement across the prefecture.
After leaving JET, she decided to pivot from teaching and go back to school through the Middlebury Institute's Translation & Localization Management MA degree program in Monterey, CA. From there, she transitioned into a career in Game Localization, and she now works as a Localization Producer with Riot Games in Santa Monica. She's thrilled to get the chance to coordinate with the larger JET community again as the Co-President for the JETAASC team alongside her amazing co-volunteers, and can't wait to meet everyone at events. Feel free to reach out to her if you have any questions, or if you just want to pick her brain!
Grant Minagawa
Co-Events Coordinator
Hi, my name is Grant! I was on JET from 2010-2014 and placed in Okinawa Prefecture. I taught at two high schools in Uruma City for my first two years, and then moved to Naha and worked at the Prefectural Office and a special needs school.
I’m originally from Hawaii, and after JET I served as a Social Events Coordinator for JETAA Hawaii from 2016-2017, when I moved to SoCal. I’ve enjoyed being a part of the JET Alumni community for the last few years; whether it’s in Hawaii, Southern California, or virtually now due to the pandemic. I’m looking forward to bringing you more events and building a stronger JETAASC community online.
Hailing from the East Coast, Michael served on JET from 1997-2000 in Ibaraki Prefecture, home of Natto and Aikido. While there, he was Social Coordinator for AJET, climbed Fuji three times (and twice more after leaving), and mastered cooking okonomiyaki. Since returning to the states, he has interviewed JET candidates every year, joined JET recruitment panels at conventions, and forced his children to go to a Japanese Immersion school. He currently lives in Los Angeles working as an actor and was recently elected to the local Neighborhood Council, where he previously served as Treasurer.
Laura Lee
Co-Events Coordinator
Born and raised in LA, Laura (she/her) was on JET from 2015-2018 in Yamaguchi Prefecture as a CIR. During her time there, she was a PA for her prefecture and enjoyed meeting new people, going to summer music festivals, and traveling. She currently works at the Japanese Consulate and volunteers at her local temple. In her free time, if not at home watching anime, you can catch her babysitting her nieces and nephew, trying out new restaurants, or playing boardgames/DnD with friends.