Bio

Honorable Janet Nguyen was elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors in February 2007 and overwhelmingly re-elected in 2008. In doing so, Supervisor Nguyen set many firsts in Orange County politics. She became the first woman Supervisor to represent the First District, the first Asian-American and the first Vietnamese-American to serve on the Board of Supervisors, as well as the youngest Supervisor elected in Orange County history. Only the fifth woman to serve on the Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Nguyen’s election, together with that of Supervisor Patricia Bates’ in 2006, marked the first time in Orange County’s history that two women served on the Board simultaneously.

On December 15, 2009, Supervisor Janet Nguyen was elected to serve as Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. While serving in this capacity, Supervisor Nguyen also set another first — she became the first Supervisor to have a baby while in office. She chaired her final board meeting on December 14, 2010 and delivered her first child, son Thomas Bonikowski III, the following day. Supervisor Nguyen represents more than 600,000 residents in the First District, which covers the Cities of Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminster, and the unincorporated community of Midway City.

Supervisor Janet Nguyen previously served on the Garden Grove City Council where she was the first woman Councilmember elected in nearly 35 years and the youngest member ever elected. She served on the Garden Grove Planning Commission, the Garden Grove Traffic Commission and as a board member for the Orange County Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board. Supervisor Nguyen also worked for two previous Chair members of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, andserved as District Director in the California State Assembly and as Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

Supervisor Janet Nguyen continues to devote much of her time to different organizations throughout the County. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), Chair of the OCTA Transit Committee, Vice Chair of the OCTA Legislative Committee, CalOptima, Orange County Fire Authority, National Association of Counties (NACO), Orange County Children’s Partnership, Orange County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, Orange County Local Remote Access Network Board (RAN), Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency, and Orange County Council of Governments.

Supervisor Janet Nguyen has been recognized by the Asian Pacific American Legislative Staff Association for the distinction of being the first Vietnamese-American to hold the position of District Director in a state or federal legislator's office. She was awarded the We Give Thanks 2004 Women of Vision Award, which recognizes outstanding women who have provided exceptional services to the community. Supervisor Nguyen also was named to the Class of 2008 Latino OC 100 for her work with the Latino community, and was awarded the 2008 St. Anselm’s Cultural Diversity Award. In addition, the Orange County Register has listed her as one of the "30 Vietnamese Americans To Watch” and she was named one of OC Metro Magazine 2006 “25 Hottest” People in Orange County for her demonstrated leadership and influence in Southern California.

Born in Saigon, Vietnam, Supervisor Janet Nguyen and her family escaped their homeland on a small wooden 10-meter boat sailing across the South China Sea in search of freedom. After passing through numerous refugee camps, Supervisor Nguyen and her family arrived in California in 1981. She is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. A strong supporter of education, Supervisor Nguyen has taught Princeton Review preparatory courses to students preparing to take the Law Student Admission Test (LSAT).

Supervisor Janet Nguyen resides in Garden Grove with her husband Tom Bonikowski, Jr. and her son Thomas Bonikowski III.