Little Tokyo Service Center Announcement June 11, 2026
Takao “Tak” Suzuki will assume the role of sole Executive Director of Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC), effective Fall 2026, marking the conclusion of the co-leadership structure. Suzuki continues his 26-year tenure with the organization, most recently serving as the Co-Executive Director, providing community revitalization, cultural preservation, and a comprehensive array of social welfare and community development services for low-income individuals in and around Little Tokyo.
Peter Gee, who has served as Co-Executive Director alongside Suzuki since July 2025, will step down from this role effective Fall 2026 and will continue to support the organization’s transition. Gee joined the organization’s Executive Team in 2023 as Director of Service Programs and will be returning to the East Coast to pursue new career opportunities.
“With great enthusiasm, we look forward to welcoming Tak as the sole Executive Director and thank Peter for his invaluable contributions and leadership during this important time for LTSC alongside Tak,” said Claire Kitayama, President of LTSC’s Board of Directors. “Together, they’ve led the organization through a challenging political landscape while building a more resilient organization ready to embrace a bright and sustainable future.”
Under the Co-Executive directorship of Gee and Suzuki, LTSC strengthened its senior management and increased its affordable housing portfolio to over 1,300 units across Los Angeles, with seven affordable housing projects in the pipeline across five neighborhoods. LTSC deepened an integrated continuum of care connecting affordable and permanent supportive housing, behavioral health, homeless services, senior services, and community-based supports. LTSC also expanded its external leadership and advocacy presence through coalition-building, public policy engagement, community education, and strategic partnerships, advancing LTSC’s unique perspective as both a human services provider and affordable housing developer.
“As Co-Executive Directors, I am proud of the work Peter and I have accomplished to sharpen our focus and strengthen LTSC’s sustainability,” said Suzuki. “I look forward to honoring that work by continuing LTSC’s mission to address our clients’ and community’s most pressing needs.”
“It has been an extremely meaningful time for me personally and professionally to serve at LTSC,” said Gee. “I am especially proud of LTSC’s expanding leadership in coalitions advancing upstream health equity, and of the strong management team that will carry this work forward. For more than 45 years, LTSC has been a trusted community anchor, and I have every confidence it remains in excellent hands under Tak’s leadership.”
LTSC continues to build for a sustainable future and serve on its mission. In 2027, LTSC anticipates the grand opening of its landmark development, First Street North Residences and Go For Broke Plaza, transforming land lost to eminent domain in the 1950s into one of the City of Los Angeles’s largest 100% affordable housing developments—featuring public green space and commercial space for local businesses and community organizations.