Paul Koehler has been a member of the JLD for more than a decade and served as JLD Secretary-Treasurer from 2017 – 2019, Assistant Administrator from 2019 – 2021, and Administrator from 2021 – 2023. He is an experienced Japanese to English translator knowledgeable about both the freelance and in-house work environments. He is also a skilled interpreter, offering both consecutive and simultaneous modes. Mr. Koehler is also passionate about sharing his knowledge and expertise and has presented at multiple national and international trade conferences over the years with a focus on tools for the translator’s trade. Find out more about Paul Koehler here.
It’s been an honor to be part of the JLD for over 12 years now, and my membership has paid off in many ways. I’ve always enjoyed seeing ideas start as in-person or online conversations and end up being implemented, which is something that we as a division have done quite well over the years.
But how did it start? In my case, I joined ATA and the JLD in January 2013 on the advice of one of my senior colleagues. I had moved back to the US after living in Japan for almost eight years, and at the time I wanted to know how to get a head start in building up my client base in the US. Even after joining and making up my membership dues (and then some) in the first year, I was still on the fence on attending the annual conference. However, I did make my way to San Antonio for the 2013 ATA conference and ended up going every year from then on until 2023 in Miami.
My first active role in the JLD began in 2015, when I was asked to fill in the last minute on an interpreter panel at the annual conference in Miami (the very same venue where I would finish my term as JLD Administrator in 2023). While I was very nervous about presenting in front of colleagues, I found that I enjoyed the opportunity and made it a point to present several times at both ATA and JAT (Japan Association of Translators) conferences in Japan and abroad as well.
It was a few years after that when my name came up as a potential assistant administrator for the JLD, which was announced at the 2018 conference in New Orleans. So began my term as an assistant administrator for two years, followed by being JLD Administrator from 2021-2023.
As fate would have it, my term covered a good portion of the pandemic, but it also provided an opportunity to make use of an idea that had been talked about for many years. Meeting people in person at conferences is always a good chance to interact with people, but keeping in touch with people between the conferences was always easier said than done.
What came because of that was the birth of the online sessions which JLD still does to this day. Since that time, we have expanded the community to include a Discord channel in addition to our blog and the mailing list, and we have an archive of past sessions as well.
In other words, I had a chance to see ideas be put into action from simple conversations during my time with the JLD, and aside from the work connections, this left the biggest impression on me. I wish the best to everyone from here on out!
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