Faces of Clovis: Vong Mouanoutoua, Clovis City Councilmember

FULL NAME: Vong Mouanoutoua

PLACE OF BIRTH: Vientiane, Laos

“I came to the United States when I was five years old.”

OCCUPATION: In addition to serving on the Clovis City Council, Mouanoutoua holds multiple positions in the community.

“I work for Community Medical Centers as the director of external relations and project development. I’ve also been teaching Hmong at Fresno State since 2010.”

WHAT GOT YOU INTO THIS LINE OF WORK?

“In every Hmong family, your parents always say that you should serve the community. It’s one of the things they preach ever since you’re young. They always encourage to do well in school and give back to the community. It’s still something that’s ingrained in me.”

EDUCATION:

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

San Joaquin College of Law, Class of 2002

FIRST JOB: Paper boy for the Orange County Register

“There was a subscription list I delivered papers to. I started in fifth or sixth grade and I did that all the way up until my freshman year of high school.”

WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?

“I had to be reliable. I couldn’t miss a day because the paper came out daily. Second, it helped me create relationships because I had to go back to those subscribers and collect subscription fees.”  

FAMILY/KIDS: “I come from a family of 10, five boys and five girls. My wife also came from a family of 10, six girls and four boys. My wife is a Clovis High grad and we have five kids now. The oldest is a junior in high school and the youngest is three years old.”

ROAD TO CLOVIS: “My family bought a home in Clovis in the early ‘90s but I didn’t come up from Southern California until 1996. My dad and brothers looked around Fresno, but it wasn’t until we found a home in Clovis that my father decided this is where we need to be.”

CLUBS/ORGANIZATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS: “I’m involved quite a bit. I attend Lao Evangelical Church, the original church from Laos. I was recently on the Community Medical Centers Board. Currently, I’m part of the Clovis Exchange Club, and I’m also on the San Joaquin Political Academy Board.”

FAVORITE FOOD: “A real good medium rare steak.”

FAVORITE MOVIE: “Braveheart”

FAVORITE ARTIST/BAND: “The Eagles”

FAVORITE BOOK OR AUTHOR: “The Bible”

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM(S): “I grew up in Orange County, so pretty much everything LA – Rams, Lakers, Dodgers.”

HOBBIES/LEISURELY PURSUITS:

“I just enjoy being with my kids because the time is so short with them. I do whatever they do. If they want to go out and run, we go out and run. If they just want to stay inside, we’ll watch a movie.”

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

“I’m even-tempered, but hopefully I’m just someone who’s fair and respectful of everyone.”

WHAT IS SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

“I use to have hair!”

FAVORITE THING ABOUT CLOVIS?

“I like the people because they make Clovis what it is. They’re the ones that give the expectations for our community. It’s like the parent who always pushes you forward and higher.”

DEFINE THE “CLOVIS WAY OF LIFE” AND WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU:

“The Clovis Way of Life is wanting to make the community better for the next person. It’s about giving your best so that way there’s no doubt that you could’ve done better. It’s an attitude more than a location.”