James Moua has been with First 5 Merced County since June, 2005. Born in Laos, James experienced first hand the “Secret War” and the after-math of U.S. withdrawal in 1973. When the Royal Lao Government fell to the Communist Lao Issara or Pathet Lao in the Spring of 1975, James’ family, fearing communist aggression against them after serving the U.S. during the Vietnam War, sought political refuge in Thailand in 1975. In the refugee camp in Thailand, James functioned as a prenatal care medic, working with children under the age of five, at the Tom Dooley Memorial Hospital. He held this position until he immigrated to the U.S. in February, 1979.

James received his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Master of Art degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Public Policy and Cultural Geography from California State University, Stanislaus. While a graduate student, he worked full time as an employment counselor. In addition, he also taught Hmong Language part time at CSU, Stanislaus and worked part time as business interpreter for the Refugee Business Development Program at the Merced County Small Business Development Center.