James Mai

Today, on Vietnam Veterans Day, we honor the men and women who served with courage, sacrifice, and an unbreakable sense of duty. For me, this day is deeply personal. I carry a profound gratitude for the American soldiers who fought alongside my family during the Vietnam War, who protected them not just once, but saved my grandmother’s life time and time again. Because of their bravery… my family survived. Because of them, I am here today. This moment, this simple act of remembrance, means everything. It represents the lives saved, the sacrifices made, and a gratitude that can never fully be repaid. Vietnam veterans did not always receive the welcome home they deserved. But today, and every day, we make it clear: we see you, we honor you, and we thank you. To those who stood beside families like mine in their darkest moments, in the jungles, on the battlefield, and in the difficult return home, you didn’t just serve a country. You saved lives and shaped generations. I carry that gratitude with me every single day. Welcome home. And from my family to yours, thank you for your service 🇺🇸 #VietnamVeterans #veterans #VietnamVeteransDay #peopleoverpolitics

Behind the scenes, those who know me well know just how funny the nickname “Suit and Tie Mai” really is. But this is part of the mission, and I’m all in. Let’s Go! 💯 Shout out to Driscoll's and the crew at Community Action Partnership of Orange County and Bristol & Bates Grateful to be part of the team that makes a real, tangible difference in lives every day 🙏🏼 #purpose #giving #orangecounty #mission

1983. Amazing

Transparency and clarity during situations like this are important to me, especially when recent news reports raise understandable questions in our community. As one of the largest cities on the West Coast, we must communicate clearly with our residents and our neighbors. After hearing from concerned residents, I reached out directly to our public safety leadership to confirm the current situation. To be clear, the City of Irvine has not been contacted about any specific threats directed at our city. Federal guidance on reports involving Iran classifies these warnings as cautionary only. Federal and state law enforcement agencies have shared that these alerts are precautionary and not tied to any specific location or target in California. Separately, our public safety leadership also briefed city leadership regarding the incident that occurred earlier today in Michigan involving a vehicle ramming and shooting at a synagogue. Authorities there report that a suspect drove a vehicle into the building before being stopped by security personnel, and the incident remains under investigation. While this event occurred outside of California, our department is monitoring developments and maintaining communication with regional and federal law enforcement partners. At this time, there is no known threat to the City of Irvine. Our Irvine Police Department continues to monitor the situation closely in coordination with our law enforcement partners, and our Threat Management Unit has been in contact with local community stakeholders. As a precautionary measure, patrol officers are conducting additional checks at houses of worship throughout the city. We have always maintained a strong presence throughout the community and will continue to do so at locations where residents gather, including religious institutions, shopping centers, and other major activity centers. Out of an abundance of caution, staffing levels have also been increased at various locations, including the Irvine Spectrum Center. The safety of our residents, businesses, and visitors remains our top priority. I appreciate the residents who have reached out with their concerns, and we will continue to provide updates should any credible information arise. #irvine #irvinestrong #communityupdate #publicsafety

Annual Lunar New Year celebration with the Asian Business Association of Orange County at J Zhou at The District at Tustin Legacy. This is always one of those events I genuinely look forward to. The energy in the room, the celebration of culture, the strength of our local business community, and the chance to reconnect with longtime friends while welcoming new members into the family. It is a powerful reminder of how much can happen when entrepreneurs and community leaders come together with a shared purpose. Founded in 1992, the Asian Business Association of Orange County has been a steadfast advocate for Asian American businesses, providing the tools, resources, and relationships that help companies grow and thrive. What started as a close-knit association of friends has grown into a true powerhouse of business leaders who continue to contribute meaningfully to Irvine and communities across Orange County. Thank you to ABAOC for your leadership, your service, and your commitment to lifting others up. Wishing everyone a joyful and prosperous Lunar New Year! #asianamerican #orangecounty #aapi #smallbusiness #irvine #tustin

Congratulations to the family-owned and operated Sea Pointe Design & Remodel on celebrating 40 years of excellence here in Irvine. Founded by Andrew Shore in 1986, Sea Pointe has built a reputation for exceptional custom home remodels, kitchens, baths, and room additions. What sets them apart is their integrated approach, bringing designers, architects, and builders together under one roof to guide clients from vision to completion with craftsmanship, care, and collaboration. It was an honor to represent the City of Irvine, alongside the Greater Irvine Chamber, at their ribbon-cutting celebration at the showroom. Celebrating this milestone with the Shore family and their extended team was truly special. Hearing the story of humble beginnings, hard work, and a dream realized, now being carried forward to the next generation, is exactly what makes our business community so inspiring. Congratulations to Andrew and the entire Shore family, and special congratulations to President Lauren Mills as she ushers in the company’s next chapter. Your leadership represents both continuity and forward vision, and our community looks forward to seeing Sea Pointe continue to thrive. Thank you for four decades of quality, integrity, and commitment to the residents of Irvine and communities across Orange County. To see their incredible work, visit: seapointe.com #smallbusiness #irvine #smallbusinesssupportingsmallbusiness #communityfirst #peopleoverpolitics

Wishing our Irvine residents and families across the greater Irvine area a joyful and prosperous Lunar New Year. 🧧✨ May this new year bring health, peace, and opportunity to every home in our community. From our neighborhoods and small businesses to our schools and senior centers, may we continue building a city grounded in unity, respect, and shared success. Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate. Here’s to a bright year ahead for Irvine!

To those who celebrate here in Irvine and across our broader community, Ramadan Mubarak. As Ramadan begins, it is a time of reflection, prayer, fasting, generosity, and deep spiritual renewal. It is a reminder of the power of faith, self-discipline, compassion, and service to others. Families gather, communities come together, and hearts are centered on gratitude and giving. May this sacred month bring you and your loved ones peace, strength, clarity, and abundant blessings. May your prayers be answered, your fasts be meaningful, and your acts of charity uplift those in need. Wishing you a peaceful and blessed Ramadan.

Tết (Tết Nguyên Đán) is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year and the most important holiday in Vietnamese culture. It marks the arrival of spring and is a time for honoring ancestors, gathering with family, and celebrating new beginnings with wishes for health, prosperity, and good fortune. I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Wishing you and your family a peaceful year ahead, with every hope fulfilled and every endeavor met with success, we're bringing in the year of the fire horse! 🐴 In Vietnamese: Chúc Mừng Năm Mới. Kính chúc mọi ngườiị và gia đình một năm mới bình an và vạn sự như ý 🧧 #tet #vietnamese #aapi #newyear

One of my favorite memories: sharing roses and smiles with our seniors on Valentine’s Day. Love in a community isn’t measured in grand gestures. It’s measured in moments: eye contact, gratitude, conversation, and respect. These are the moments that matter. Happy Valentine’s Day. ❤️

Favorites from when we welcomed the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center (Keck Medicine of USC) to their new treatment center in Irvine, right off Barranca. For nearly 50 years, USC Norris has led with one mission: to treat and prevent cancer with excellence, compassion, and innovation. Now, that legacy of care is part of our community. This clinic offers advanced therapies for a wide range of blood disorders and cancers, along with access to infusion centers, prevention services, nutrition support, and multidisciplinary tumor boards in which teams of specialists collaborate on personalized care plans for every patient. That level of coordinated, patient-centered treatment makes a real difference for families walking through some of life’s hardest moments. It was a pleasure spending time with Dr. Ghani and getting to know Dr. An and Dr. Minh, whom I've decided to name "The Nguyen’ing Team", leaders who are not only highly skilled physicians but deeply committed to delivering care in an emotionally supportive and compassionate environment. Thank you to our partners at the Greater Irvine Chamber and Dave Coffaro for organizing a wonderful ribbon-cutting and helping us celebrate this important milestone, and addition to our growing healthcare ecosystem, which has seen over 6 billion invested in the last few years. World-class medicine and USC's choice of Irvine speak volumes. We are proud to support institutions that save lives, advance research, and strengthen the health and hope of our community. Welcome officially to Irvine. We are honored to have you here. #usc #cancer #irvine #communityfirst #peopleoverpolitics

A sneak peek at an intimate sit-down interview produced by four-time Emmy Award–winning filmmaker and director Paul Abbaszadeh. This conversation reflects on a year of historic firsts and shares my personal vision for Irvine and our region....where we’ve been, what we’ve built together, and what’s possible 💯 #irvine #communityfirst #peopleoverpolitics

Please join me in welcoming Luke Peterman to the team. Luke brings a strong background in public service, communications, and community engagement. Luke comes to us from the California State Senate, working as a district intern for the office of Senator Steven Choi where he supported legislative research, constituent services, and office operations, experience that gives him a solid understanding of how policy, people, and process come together. Luke has his B.A. in Political Science at Chapman University, graduating with Cum Laude honors, and has been recognized for his academic excellence and leadership. He also was Team Captain and Quarterback of Chapman Football 🏈 Beyond his professional work, he is deeply rooted in service volunteering with Young Life Ministries, mentoring students, and supporting community programs. We’re excited to have someone who combines strong analytical skills, a service-oriented mindset, and genuine people skills. Luke, welcome to the team, we’re glad you’re here and look forward to the impact you’ll make. Welcome to City Hall! 💫 #irvine #peopleoverpolitics #newjob #weareirvine #orangecounty

Today, we honor the life, legacy, and leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His message of courage, service, and unity continues to inspire us to build stronger communities rooted in justice, compassion, and opportunity for all. As Vice Mayor, I am reminded that real leadership is about lifting others, listening to every voice, and working together to create a city where everyone has a chance to thrive. Let us not only reflect on Dr. King’s dream, but also live it, through service, kindness, and a shared commitment to making Irvine a place of hope and progress. Together, we move forward. #weareirvine #irvineunited #irvinestrong #irvineproud #irvine #teammai

Amazing message and mission, "Hamdi Ulukaya, the founder and CEO of leading Greek yogurt brand Chobani, says he is evangelizing the idea of a so-called ‘CEO playbook’ to shift some of the focus from shareholder wealth and profits to employee welfare and humanitarian goals" - @Chobani youtube.com/watch?v=etGSEI…

On Police Appreciation Day, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the men and women of the Irvine Police Department, true partners in keeping our community safe, resilient, and strong. Irvine is consistently recognized as one of the safest cities in the nation for its size, and that is something our entire community can be proud of. But we are also realistic: no city is immune to crime. Safety is not something we take for granted, it is something that must be protected every day through preparation, partnership, and proactive action. That is why I am especially proud of the work being done through Irvine’s 24/7 Real-Time Crime Center. This state-of-the-art center integrates over 1,000 real-time camera feeds from across the city, along with data analysis and advanced tools, to give officers better information when it matters most. The goal is simple and clear: prevent crime where possible, respond faster when incidents occur, and keep our neighborhoods safe, while respecting privacy and community trust. What truly sets Irvine apart is that public safety here is about more than technology or enforcement it’s about people. Our officers build relationships, work collaboratively with residents, schools, our children and businesses, and focus on solving problems before they escalate. That combination of vigilance and partnership is why Irvine remains a city people feel safe calling home. To every officer, dispatcher, analyst, and civilian professional: Thank you for your service. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your partnership. Your work matters, and today we proudly recognize and appreciate you. People over politics. Community first. Always grateful.

Are you a motivated high school student interested in public policy, leadership, and real-world problem-solving? The Office of Vice Mayor James Mai is proud to host the inaugural Youth Leadership Conference, a one-day civic experience designed to push students beyond sound bites and headlines and into serious, thoughtful policy analysis. 📷 Irvine Civic Center – 1 Civic Center Plaza 📷 Saturday, January 24, 2026 📷 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 📷 Free to Apply | Open to all high school students At the heart of the conference is the Youth Policy Brief Competition, an applied exercise in critical thinking where students will work individually or in teams to evaluate complex and timely topics: • Housing and Affordability • Federal Administration and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) • E-bike Safety, Access, and Regulation Rather than advocating from a single viewpoint, students will be expected to analyze multiple perspectives, identify competing interests, assess evidence, consider unintended consequences, and develop practical, well-reasoned policy recommendations. The goal is not to tell students what to think but to strengthen HOW they think. This process mirrors how real policy decisions are made: through structured reasoning, respectful debate, and an understanding that good governance often requires balancing values, data, and community impact. Top policy briefs will be invited to present their ideas to a panel of judges, including Steven Alves, Chief of Staff to the Vice Mayor; Ron Scolesdang, Public Works and Sustainability Commissioner; and Vice Mayor James Mai. Submissions will be evaluated on analytical depth, clarity of thought, use of evidence, understanding of differing viewpoints, and the feasibility of proposed solutions. Winning participants will be formally recognized by the Office of the Vice Mayor, and exceptional policy briefs may be elevated for further consideration within the City’s policy discussions. In some cases, student ideas may help inform or inspire future legislative concepts, offering a rare opportunity to see thoughtful analysis translated into real civic impact. Participants will also gain insight into how local government operates and how young people can play an active role in shaping their community. Selected students will receive priority consideration for the upcoming James Mai Youth Advisory Council, a mentorship-focused program dedicated to developing Irvine’s next generation of civic leaders. This is more than a competition; it is a challenge to think critically, engage responsibly, and help make Irvine even better. Scan the QR code on the flyer or email JamesMai@cityofirvine.org for more information. Space is limited as we are nearing capacity at 100 students! Let’s invest in informed, analytical, and engaged young leaders because the future of Irvine depends on them.

Thank you, John Shen, for the thoughtful gift of your book and for taking the time to connect. I truly enjoyed learning about your history, your personal story, and your journey in building one of the largest small-business lending institutions in America. Even more meaningful was our conversation around your vision for strong public-private partnerships and how thoughtful collaboration can strengthen our community. Congratulations on achieving the American Dream and on giving back in such a meaningful and impactful way. Your leadership and example reflect the very best of entrepreneurship, service, and civic responsibility. I look forward to the continued success of American Lending Center Holdings Inc. and Sunstone Management, and commend your decision to make Irvine both your home and the headquarters for your businesses. Your generosity toward our schools and colleges, along with your contributions to the startup and venture capital ecosystem, makes a real and lasting impact. Thank you for investing in people, ideas, and opportunity, and for leading, investing, and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit that makes Irvine and Orange County such special places to live, work, and play. @SunstoneMgmt @City_of_Irvine #smallbusiness #support #business #irvine #orangecounty

I had the pleasure of attending the 2025 Orange County Regional Holiday Mixer, hosted at the Orange County Museum of Art, an evening brought together elected officials, business leaders, and community partners from across the region. Co-hosted by the Association of California Cities - Orange County, the OC Division of the League of California Cities, the Orange County Business Council, and the Orange County Taxpayers Association, the event was a great reminder of how important relationships and collaboration are to the work we do every day. As a board member of the League of California Cities (OC Division), it was especially valuable to connect with colleagues and partners who are helping shape policy and advocacy efforts that impact cities throughout California. It was also great to see and spend time with so many friends and familiar faces, people I’ve worked alongside over the year, shared ideas with, and built trust with across different roles and perspectives. Those personal connections are what make regional collaboration effective and fun. Between conversations and the festive atmosphere, the evening highlighted how much can be accomplished when we come together with a shared commitment to service, responsible governance, and strengthening our communities. Events like this reinforce that progress is driven not just by policy, but by people from all walks of life and backgrounds, showing up, listening, and working together. Grateful for the opportunity to connect, reflect, and carry that momentum forward as we continue serving Orange County in 2026. City of Irvine / County of Orange / California Building Industry Association / CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® / Cityside Fiber / / Woodruff & Smart / West Coast Arborists, Inc. / Kosmont Companies @octaxpayers @ACCOC @City_of_Irvine @JamboreeHousing