Assembly of Turkish American Associations

ATAA is a fast-growing umbrella organization of Turkish American associations throughout the United States, Canada and Turkey, dedicated to pursuing the interests of Turkish Americans and friends of Turkey in Washington and beyond.

ATAA was co-founded by the American Turkish Association of Washington and the Maryland American Turkish Association in an effort to create a national organization representing the Turkish American community.

The first meeting of the ATAA General Assembly was held in May of 1980 in Washington. Delegates from 26 organizations participated and created a coordination committee to write the constitution and bylaws. The bylaws of ATAA were ratified on November 16, 1980 and the first board of ATAA was elected.

From this nucleus, the Assembly has grown into an organization that represents 62 Turkish American organizations in the United States, Canada and Turkey.

Today, the Assembly is an influential and fast growing civic organization that pursues the interests of Turkish Americans and friends of Turkey in Washington and beyond, as well as contributes to the strengthening of relations between the United States and Turkey.

A growing base of individual ATAA members support the work of the Assembly through dues and donations. Financial assistance to the operations of ATAA is also granted from the ATAA Endowment Fund, established to secure the long-term growth of the organization.

To fulfill its mission and objectives, ATAA undertakes a number of activities, such as educational seminars for Turkish American communities on grassroots advocacy and civic leadership; conferences on contemporary political, social and economic issues related to Turkey and US Turkish relations; and cultural events to promote Turkey’s rich traditions, art and heritage.

Working as an information clearinghouse, ATAA regularly publishes reference material on issues that concern the Turkish American community. The Assembly is also the publisher of a quarterly magazine, The Turkish American.

ATAA hosts one of the most dynamic websites on Turkey and maintains and extensive e-mail communication network.

Second generation Turkish American, born in Chicago, raised in San Francisco, and living and working in Washington, DC where ATAA is headquartered. ATAA: Capital Region VP (2004-2006); Secretary General (1998-2000); Author, Turkish Times “Sports News” (1993-98). Education: U.S. Fulbright Scholar and Japan Sasakawa Scholar, International Law and the Armenian Case, Ankara University (1991-93); Juris Doctor, Washington & Lee University, VA (1991); Washington & Lee Grant (1989-91); B.A. Development Economics and B.A. Political Science-Public Service, University of California, Davis (1986); UC Regents Outstanding Senior Award (1986); EU Legal Studies, University of Madrid (1989). Profession: Lawyer, Saltzman & Evinch (1993-present) (www.Turklaw.Net).

Ergun Kirlikovali was born in Izmir, Turkey. He attended Robert College, Istanbul, Turkey. He received his BS degree in Chemistry from Bogazici University and MS degree in Polymer Science from the University of Manchester, England. He also conducted research on polymers in Holland and Austria. He was employed as a product development and research chemist in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. Currently, he is the founding president of his company which conducts research and development on new materials based on interpenetrating network polymers. He found himself in need of promoting and defending Turkish culture and heritage due to a relentless barrage of unsolicited and unjustified anti-Turkish attacks by Armenian and Greek lobbies and others in America. He had written more than 5,000 letters to the editors, news programmers, panelists, politicians, academicians, and other opinion-makers. He also appeared on TV and radio shows and participated in conferences and panels in universities and colleges in an effort to present the other side of the story and fight against discrimination and censorship fostered by a surprisingly racist and dishonest version of history persistently promoted by anti-Turkish lobbies. He has served as president of American-Turkish Association of Southern California, Public Relations Committee Chairman and later Western U.S. Regional Director for the Federation of Turkish American Associations in New York and ATAA in Washington DC. He is married, has one son, and lives in Southern California.

Nurten Ural is the President of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations. Ms. Ural is also the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Turkey, Detroit, Michigan. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Environment and Design and a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Interior Design and Human Shelter for the Special Needy-both from Michigan State University. Ural is the owner of Ural Interiors, Inc., a commercial interior design firm in Farmington Hills, MI. She is also the owner of Ural Properties, LLC. A leasing and managing company for commercial and residential properties. She has received many awards for her business accomplishments and community service work including the Athena Award, Business Accomplishment Award, Daughter of Ataturk-Women of Distinction Award, “Gobustan” International Award, and the Republican of the Year Award. Ural now serves on the Board of Directors for the Detroit Institute of Arts, and served on the Board of Directors of two Chambers of Commerce, serving as Secretary, Vice Chair and Chair on one of them. She has also served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Professional Women’s Round Table, Historic Homes, the Republican Club, and on the Board of the Farmington Area Homeowners Association. Ural served as the Treasurer, President, and Trustee of the Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan, as well as ATAA President-Elect, President and as Vice-President of the Midcentral Region.

Pelin Aylangan was born in Ankara, Turkey and raised in the United States. She holds a BA degree in Economics, and an MBA from the University of Rochester, NY. She has worked as human resources professional in the public and private sectors and as an Information Technology Consultant for American Management Systems (now CGI). Currently, she is the Manager of Federal Government Consulting for Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) in Arlington, Virginia. Ms. Aylangan has held various roles and leadership positions in the Turkish community. She was a board member and Vice President of the Turkish Society of Rochester in 1993-1996, and the Membership Director and President of the American-Turkish Association of Washington DC in 1999-2007. As President, she led efforts to organize the Turkish Festival, improve the Association’s Ataturk School for Children, and develop joint programs with non-Turkish organizations such as the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Arts, International Children’s Festival. In her spare time, she is working on a book about tea in Turkish culture. She has given presentations and lectured on the topic for Smithsonian Associates, Culinary Historians of Washington DC at Meridian International Center, and the Ritz Carlton. She is married to Dr. Seckin Ozen, and they split their time between Fairfax, Virginia and Istanbul.

Feridun Beki is a Global Executive, working for a Management Consultancy. He studied Business Administration of Management in Germany, U.K. and Turkey. He has a master’s degree for Management from the Henley Management College (U.K.) and is currently at the end of his Executive MBA program. Furthermore, he has a post-degree in commercial IT technology. He supports multibillion dollar companies with developing business strategies, strategic plans and implementation projects. He worked for VW Group Headquarters Germany (Division: Business Management & Strategy) and wrote the first “Sales Organization Handbook” (341 pages) which was distributed to over 100 countries. He developed a Management Analysis concept which had a market value over $750K. He represented the German Chamber of Commerce in the Turkish-German Economic Convention in Istanbul in 2007 as a speaker. He is currently the co-chair of the ATAA Armenian Research Committee (ARC). He worked with the ATAA team and created the Strategic Plan “VISION 2023” to deal with the Armenian Issue. He joined the ATAA Delegation trip, where this Strategic Plan was reviewed with Turkish officials. The target of this Plan is to set-up a professional team and processes in ATAA regions that educates, inspires and coordinates the Turkish-American community to proactively deal with the Armenian issue. He was the lead to develop an ATAA sponsorship package for THY. He is currently a BOD member of the Turkish-American-Association in Michigan. He served for six years in the Executive Board of the German/European Atatürk Association. He supported and organized the biggest events in Germany, such as conferences with well-known speakers, republic balls and informative trips. He acted as the moderator at these events and presented the Turkish Community many times in the media. He was the Public Relations manager of the Turkish Theater Group “Umran Ertok” for three years and one of the founders and a BOD member of the Turkish-German Student Organization ITEA.

Tomris Azeri
V.P. New York Region
(NY, NJ, Canada)

President of the Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA). Driving force in many of the organizations' initiatives, programs and special events which have fostered a greater understanding and appreciation of the people and country of Azerbaijan by the people and legislators of the United States. Initiated successful ASA programs such as coordinating legislative informational luncheons for Congressional members and staff in Washington, DC; the raising of the Azerbaijani flag on Wall Street in New York in celebration of Azerbaijan's Independence Day; representing the Azerbaijani community to Mayor Bloomberg's Office of Immigrant Affairs in planning for the future of NYC; coordinating the sister city arrangements connecting Ganja, Azerbaijan with Newark, New Jersey; instituting and overseeing scholarship programs for Azerbaijani students studying in US; coordinating and presenting a variety of cultural activities for the Azerbaijani and American communities; involving ASA in support of the Turkish Day parade; and overseeing annual Azerbaijani celebrations in the U.S. Works closely with the Turkish-American community in all of these and other activities. Regular participant in a variety of Turkish - Azerbaijani initiatives, including most recently the Turkish- Azerbaijani Forum which took place in Baku, Azerbaijan in March, 2007. Recipient of the Order of Glory medal, Azerbaijan's highest award, which was presented by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in March 2006.

Alp Berker was born in Hull, Canada in 1966. After living in Canada, the U.S.A and Turkey his family settled in Indiana in 1983. He attended Purdue University and received a degree in Computer Technology in 1991 and a Masters in Sociology in 1998 from the University of Indianapolis. He currently works as an IT contractor for the US Federal Government in Indianapolis. He has served in ATA-IN (American Turkish Association of Indiana) in various capacities, Treasurer in 2003 and has been the Vice-President since 2004. He is married with three children.

Demet Cabbar is a Financial Analyst at the World Bank Treasury. Prior to her current position she worked as a Program Coordinator with the Financial and Private Sector Development Vice Presidency of the World Bank, as a part of which she organized workshops for senior level government officials and private sector executives around the globe for seven years. Born in Istanbul and raised in Tekirdag, Ms. Cabbar moved to the US in 1996 to continue her education. Ms. Cabbar has been a Board Member of the American Turkish Association of Washington, DC since 2003 and has been serving as the President for the past year and half. As President of ATA-DC, Ms. Cabbar had an opportunity to meet and work closely with the representatives of various Turkish and non-Turkish civil society organizations and institutions. In 2008, ATAA recognized Ms. Cabbar as the President of the Component Association of the Year for her role in mobilizing and engaging the Turkish American Community in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. Ms. Cabbar is also the co-founder of the Washington, DC Turkish Folk Dance Troupe and the Kardelen Turkish Dance Ensemble which are both active dance groups in the DC area. Ms. Cabbar holds a BS degree in Management Engineering from Istanbul Technical University. Ms. Cabbar earned a Joint MBA/MA Degree in International Affairs and International Business in 1999 and a Master of Science in Finance Degree in 2007 from the George Washington University. As the ATAA Vice President for the Capital Region, Ms. Cabbar's goal is to develop new partnerships and strengthen existing ones between ATAA and other Turkish and Non-Turkish communities, reach out to and engage younger members of the community and businesses in ATAA's activities and continue delivering large scale, large impact events and educational programs promoting and raising awareness of Turkish heritage in the U.S.

Ali Cinar is a graduate of economics from Istanbul University and holds an MBA degree from University of New Haven. He graduated with the “Outstanding International Student” award out of 500 International Students. Between 2004 and 2006, he attended Harvard Business School, MIT and New York University and successfully completed various executive business certificate programs. He worked for Concord Company as a Marketing Manager between April 2002 and March 2008. Ali Cinar is currently working for a Fortune 500 company, as a Marketing Manager for US to Europe business.

In 2004 and 2005, he was a Guest Speaker about the world economy and marketing at the American Coast Guard Military Academy He holds many professional and social awards and participates in many social causes as an activist. Ali Cinar was honored by ATAA as the “Leader of the Year” for his services and leadership role in the Turkish community. He also receives awards from Southern New England Turkish American Cultural Association, American Society of Azerbaijan, Central Long Island Chapter Korean War Veterans Association, Istanbul University Alumni Association of USA, Turkish American North Texas Association and Forum Newspaper. He is a Founder President of Istanbul University Alumni Association of USA, VP of New York Southern New England Turkish American Cultural Association, Advisory Board Member of Turks Living Abroad Committee (Y.Y.V.D.K) , Past Secretary General at Federation of Turkish American Associations, Justice for Khojaly US National Coordinator, Young Professional Member at United Nations of USA. Also he is a member of the following organizations: ASA, TASSA, Balkan Turkish American Association, FB USA, Turkish American Alliance of Fairness and United Nations Correspondents Association. He writes articles at various Turkish American media and he is a Public Notary in Connecticut.

Dr. Ilkcan Cokgor received her MD Degree from Hacettepe University in 1989. She did her residency in Dept. of Neurosurgery, Uludag University, Bursa in 1990 and carried out work towards her PhD. in Neurosciences at the Department of Ophthalmology at University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, between 1991-1993. She did her residency in Dept. of Neurology, Duke University, Durham, NC between the years 1994 and 1997 and Fellowship in Neuro-Oncology at Duke University during 1997-1998. She was an Assistant Professor of Neuro-Oncology at Duke Medical Center in North Carolina from 1998 to 2000 and a Clinical Associate of Neuro-Oncology in Neurosurgery Department at UC Davis between 2000 and 2005. Dr. Cokgor came to U.S in 1993 and got involved in the issues of the Turkish American Community. She has been a member of TAAC (Turkish-American Association of California) from year 2000 to the present. She served as the newsletter health coordinator and writer of the TAAC from 2003 to 2005. She is currently the president of TAAC. She is a public advocate of the Turkish American community in the area and has led and taken part in organizing numerous visits to Senators and Congressmen to educate them about important issues related to Turkey. She participated and organized fundraising events for law makers for the purpose of educating them on the importance of Turkish American friendship and relations. As the president of TAAC she hosted ATAA’s grassroots event in Northern California. Dr.Cokgor is also the President of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Association.

Hatice Dinç
V.P. Midwestern Region
(IL, IA, KS, MN, MO,NE, WI)

Hatice Dinc studied Computer Science and Math at Southwest Missouri State University where she also pursued a minor degree in French Language and Literature. She completed a Philosophy of Communications degree from Northwestern University in 1999. While she was attending school in Springfield, Missouri, she was also working for a non-profit consultant firm as a Director of Research of Grants and Foundations. Hatice has been residing in Chicago since 1994 where she has been involved in promoting the Turkish heritage and culture through organizing and participating on various events whether they are through TACA of which she’s been the President since 2006, and/or other organizations in the Chicagoland. She is currently a Regional Human Resources Business Partner at ACE USA, a commercial insurance company. Hatice has also worked as a volunteer for several not-for-profit organizations such as Business Volunteers for the Arts (Chicago), Wilson's Creek Battlefield Foundation (Springfield), Good Samaritan Boys Town (Springfield), Dickerson Park Zoo (Springfield), Juanita K. Hammons Performing Arts Center (Springfield). Hatice brings a wealth of knowledge on organizing fundraising campaigns and special events for not-for-profit organizations. She is fully committed to the Turkish Community in this region and will show her commitment through her continued work as the Regional Vice-President.

Erkan Nur received his B. S degree in Physics (minor in Computer Science) and graduated from Middle East Technical University (ODTU) in Ankara Turkey in 1980. He earned his MBA from New York Institute of Technology in 1995. He did his masters in Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University in 1998. He was hired by ITT while he was working for a computer firm in Ankara in 1981 and brought to Florida 1982. He worked for Siemens in Florida from 1986 to 1997. He formed his real estate firm in Boca Raton, Florida. He is currently practicing residential and commercial real estate in South Florida, West Palm Beach - Miami area. He is a member of Palm Beach County Association of Realtors, Florida Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, Multiple Listing Service (MLS), and International Real Estate Business Council. He has been serving at various Turkish organizations in South Florida since 2001. He is the President and founding member of Florida Turkish Center Foundation (Turk Evi Vakfi), Treasurer and founding member of Florida Turkish American Chamber of Commerce, President, Florida Turkish American Association FTAA (2007-2008), Director of the Board, FTAA (2001-2004), ATAA VP of South East USA. He likes socializing, doing community service, traveling, playing backgammon and golf. He is 52 years old and he has two children, Paul Altan, 18 and Michelle Deniz, 21.

Ibrahim Onaral has a Bachelor’s Degree from Robert College in Civil Engineering in 1971 and a Master’s Degree from Bogazici University in 1973. He is a structural engineer by profession and serves as a Vice President for QBS International, Inc. in charge of Bridge Department and Business Development. He has served for the local Turkish American organization in Philadelphia area called TAFSUS (Turkish American Friendship Society of the United States) at various positions such as board member, as President and Vice President in the last 20 years. Currently he serves as President of TAFSUS. He has been a member of ATAA since 1979. He is married to Banu Onaral with one son.

Gokce Sezgin is a graduate of Orta Dogu Technical University (ODTU). After graduation she worked as a Brand and Product Manager in Turkey for the global conglomerate Unilever Company and DigiTurk. She came to Seattle in October 2000 and received her MBA degree from the University of Washington in June 2003. Currently, she works for the Dutch multi-national company Philips as a Marketing Manager on the development and the global introduction of new products. Ms. Sezgin has been spending long volunteer hours working for the development of the Turkish community in Seattle since the first time she set foot in the US, both as an organizer and a participant (Anadolu Folk Dancers member and classical Turkish music singer). In 2004, she was encouraged to take a more active role and got elected as the president of TACAWA. She was re-elected in 2005, 2006 and 2007. She is also a founding member of the increasingly successful TurkFest’s executive board since 2001. Gokce received a Daughters of Ataturk award in 2004 and an ATAA Meritorious Service Award in 2005. During her presidency at TACAWA, working with very talented and committed board members, she was able to increase the membership base by more than 100%, establish a sustainable flow of income through events and loyalty activities (revenue growth has doubled since 2003), and achieve 501 (c)(3) non-profit status for the association. Gokce Sezgin is a former athlete, winner of 19 medals and numerous awards, including a bronze medal in Turkish National Track & Field Championship.

Nilgun. Sezgin taught English at several high schools in Izmir before she got married and came to first Oakland, CA and then to Dallas TX in 1987. She completed her BS degree in Computer Science at Dallas Baptist University in 1991 and worked in the IT department as Computer Programmer, Systems Analyst and Project Manager on numerous projects. She is currently Senior Lead Systems Analyst and has been with the same company for 23 years. Ms. Sezgin served the Turkish/American community as TURANT (Turkish American Association of North Texas) president in 1992-93. She is a board member of Global Education and Outreach Foundation, founded in 1999 in Plano, TX, a non-profit organization providing computer labs and other educational materials to high schools in Eastern Turkey. As a volunteer of this organization, she has been participating in fund raising activities in Festivals as well as cultural activities and presentations of Turkey around North Texas. Between 2002 and 2005 she performed Turkish Folk dances at various locales and International Festivals in various cities as a member of Dallas Turkish Folk Dancers. She presently lives in Duncanville, TX with her son.

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