PRESIDENT - Emmanuel LE BIHAN-

I am from Brittany, in the west of France, holder of a baccalaureate in litterature, I like sport, eating well and my family. Proud to contribute to the rebirth of AFF.

VICE PRESIDENT - Ghassane HABIB- 

French citizen, born in Côte d’Ivoire and living in the US since 1980.I look forward to continuing the tradition of the Alliance of sharing the French Culture and Language

SECRETARY - Margaret FRECH - 

I was born and raised in Fresno.Iam a retired Federal employee.I enjoy my family, friends, baking, motorcycle riding, skiing, hiking and learning to speak French.I am happy tha AFF is going to continue in Fresno

TREASURER & MEDIA- Isabelle LE BIHAN

I was born and raised in France in the close suburbs of Paris .My previous occupation makes me discover various Cultures all over the World! I love Dogs , Art & crafts. I ‘m enjoying beeing involved in The AFF revival  and I’m willing to share all about my mother tongue country !

 

DIRECTOR of  CULTURE- Randa ALRAHWANJI- 

Je vis aux États-Unis de façon permanente depuis 5 ans. J'ai terminé mes études universitaires en littérature française à la faculté des lettres de Damas et j'ai obtenu diplôme de traduction DUTFA de l'université de Lyon 2.

J'ai travaillé pendant 5 ans comme rédactrice et présentatrice du journal en Français à la radio et à la télévision à Damas. Mes deux garçons continuent leurs cours de français à l'Alliance, et je suis ravie d'être parmi l'équipe qui

va aider l'AFF à reprendre son élan.

DIRECTOR of EVENT  -Erica PLAZANET-

I was born in Fresno and graduated from university with the intention of starting a teaching career in California when an  opportunity to start a new life in Europe arose. I took on this adventure whole-heartedly and lived in Amsterdam, The Netherlands for 5 years. It was a very pleasant introduction into European life where I found I could be independent and confident though not knowing how to speak Dutch. I took courses, joined clubs and met many interesting people while getting to know the ways of living abroad and adapting to everything new. I was very fortunate to travel and learn about Holland and the surrounding countries. I later moved to a very rural part of France where no foreigners were to be found. Many people, even French, would ask how I could possibly stand to live in such a "lost" area and yet it was there that I learned to speak French and teach ESL in both private and public sectors. Those 13 years in the French countryside I will

never forget. They gave me an exclusive opportunity to integrate and appreciate the french culture. I later lived in Aix en Provence for 4 years where I taught at a wonderfully global, international school and was Head of the English Department. I have recently returned to my California roots and happy to be part of the community and AFF.

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DIRECTOR of  MEMBERSHIP & PUBLIC RELATION- Patience TSHIMIKA- 

My name is Patience Tshimika-Varin , my family is from Congo. I've lived in fresno since my freshman year of high school (1999). I did all my early schooling in French. I am fluent in French, English, Spanish, and Kituba (Congolese dialect). I am married and I have a six years old daughter whom I home school. I am currently a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations (aka a stay home mom). Before that, I worked as a case supervisor for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), ensuring the interests of children in the foster care system were recognized by the courts. I enjoy traveling, crossfit, and eating good food.