Mark Masaoka cut his union teeth on the shop floor at Ford-Pico Rivera, UAW Local 923, and GM Van Nuys, UAW Local 645, where he was elected to the executive board. Masaoka helped found APALA in 1992. Now retired, he is active in Nikkei Progressives, a Japanese American community group. He reconnected with UAW colleagues during the recent strike at Chrysler-parent Stellantis and helps advise California Rideshare Drivers United.