After graduating from the University of Louisville, I began my career as a chemist at National Distillers and Chemicals Corp in the bourbon industry. My dedication and performance led to a promotion to the company's chemical division within the logistics department, where I progressed to management, spending valuable time in New York City, NY, and Cincinnati, OH. I later spent a few years in Houston, TX, before concluding my career as the Director of Operations for BP in Chicago, IL.

I was raised on a small farm just outside of Louisville, KY, where my family cultivated livestock and produce. A few years later I developed a deep passion for raising and training Arabian horses.

My interest with Japan blossomed when I met my wife, Uriko. Together, we have traveled extensively throughout the country, immersing ourselves in its rich arts, culture, and the cherished friendships we have formed along the way.

719-323-9550

Email: President@JapanAmerica.org

Jennifer has been a member of JASSC since 2012, and the VP since 2023. She is the owner of Silver Sparrow Coaching LLC, a career guidance company which supports job seekers from both the USA and Japan. She is also a 4th generation Japanese-American citizen with family roots in Tokyo and Hiroshima. After teaching English in Yamanashi, Japan for 4 years, she became conversationally fluent, but still has a goal to pass the N1 JLPT test someday.

She is also the president and founder of the Colorado Springs Kaiwa Club, a free club which hosts conversation meetings around town once or twice a month. As the VP of JASSC, she helps with strategic development, event planning, and volunteer coordination.

Email: Jennifer@JapanAmerica.org

Laura became a member in 2024. After living in Japan for 2+ years–studying abroad in the Kansai region and teaching English in Tokunoshima–Laura is so happy to have found this community in Colorado Springs. She looks forward to being a part of the many wonderful events and sharing cultural experiences with her family. Laura enjoys spending time outdoors with her two young children, volunteering at her daughter’s school and managing a soy wax candle company with her husband. Her accounting background and passion for all things Japanese landed her on the board as your new treasurer. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!

Rayna has been a member for many years. She first became interested after traveling to Japan and experiencing its awesome culture and its friendly people. She later visited again with her teenage children and they enjoyed multi-day hiking in the Japanese Alps and climbed Mt. Fuji. Rayna is interested in people's varied experiences and viewpoints. She is retired from a career as a software developer and now enjoys trail running and hiking, bicycling and playing the fiddle and mandolin.

Email: Rayna@JapanAmerica.org

Uriko Stout became a member of JASSC to help with events and then joined the Board at the same time that her husband joined in 2018. As part of the Board her role is to encourage the understanding of culture and cultural exchange between the Colorado Springs community and Japan. Additionally, she helped to initiate the Internship program to give students an avenue to participate with JASSC in collaboration with their colleges and universities for scholarship, networking and resume building opportunities.

Ms. Stout is also a member of the Okinawa Kenjin Kai, learning to play sanshin, Koto and shamisen. She was born in Okinawa, moved to Colorado Springs and then spent many years working in Chicago as an executive in Corporate Sales. Reconnecting with Japanese culture has been another important part of the return journey to Colorado Springs that began with family.