AAPI Heritage Month Celebration –
Uncovering Culture

David Oh is President and CEO of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia. Prior to assuming this position on February 5, 2024, David served for three terms as a Philadelphia City Councilman At-Large (R) from 2012 to 2023. He was the first Asian American elected to political office in Philadelphia and the only veteran serving on Council during his years of service. David resigned on February 13, 2023 to run for Mayor. David did not win. While serving on Council, David was Chair of the Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy. At his own expense, David traveled to other cities and made several trips to South Korea to meet with business leaders, government officials and innovators about better delivery of public services, economic development, trade and investment. In 2022, David organized a series of meetings between employers and investors from twenty two different nations and the Philadelphia Building Trades and other unions about construction and business development. David created and raised private funds to hold several citywide annual events including, PHL LIVE Center Stage, First Responders Appreciation Day in Philadelphia, Youth Non-Profit Symposium, Latin America Thrives in Philadelphia and Korean American Day. David also created several advocacy organizations including Philly Neighborhood Small Business Council, Black Film Advisory Committee and the Eurasian American Roundtable. David championed education reform, the creative arts economy, innovation, veterans, tax reform, governmental compliance with the law and public safety. David is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania. He began his legal career while still in law school by starting a volunteer, free legal aid program. For this and other works, David received a Human Rights Award from the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. After graduating from law school, he served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Philadelphia D.A.’s Office from 1985 to 1988. In 1988, David resigned to enlist in the U.S. Army. David graduated from Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant (Infantry). David served in the 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) ANG from 1989 to 1992. He was not Special Forces qualified. In 1991, David was activated with the 20th SFGA for the Gulf War, The war ended before they were deployed overseas and he was released with an Honorable Discharge. Upon returning to Philadelphia, David reopened his law practice. David managed his law office for 18 years and then in 2008, merged it into a mid-sized law firm. After assuming his seat on Council in 2012, David stopped practicing law to devote all his time to serving the public. David has been very active in the Philadelphia community. He served on the boards of Nazareth Hospital, Tribune Charities, The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians, Monte Jade Science and Technology Association: Mid-Atlantic Chapter, Nazareth Academy High School, Christian Street YMCA and Friends of the Korean War Memorial at Penn’s Landing. David also served on the boards of Community College of Philadelphia, Hahnemann University (PHEC), Walnut Street Theater, Crime Prevention Association, Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, WYBE Public Television, and First Commercial Bank of Philadelphia. David served on the Mayor’s Commission on Literacy, Philadelphia Police Advisory Commission, Educational Nominating Panel for the Philadelphia Board of Education, and Federal Judicial Nominating Committee for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the 82nd Airborne Division Association: Hajdak-Mokan (Philadelphia) Chapter, American Legion Rhawnhurst-Castor Post 754, Special Forces Association and Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Society. David’s awards include The Young Leaders Award from the Philadelphia Chapter of the U.S. Jaycees, Humanitarian Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Dreamers Award from The Philadelphia Council of Clergy, Public Service Award from the Fraternal Order of Housing Police, Special Recognition Award from 6ABC, the Outstanding Service Award from the Pan Asian Council of Greater Philadelphia, Hip Hop Man of the Year from the Philly Hip Hop Awards and Mr. Positivity Award from the Miss Black America Pageant. In 1992, David served on Mayor Ed Rendell’s transition team. In 1999, David volunteered to organize Governor Tom Ridge’s trade mission to South Korea, arranging meetings with Korea’s President and major corporate leaders. David was born and raised in Philadelphia. He attended public school except for his freshman year of high school when he attended Christopher Dock Mennonite High School in Lansdale, PA. David graduated from Central High School, Dickinson College, and Rutgers University Law School-Camden. David and his wife, Heesun, have four children, Hannah, Joshua, Daniel and Sarah. They live in Southwest Philadelphia on the same block where David has lived since 1963.