STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1956

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 348

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Economic Development and Taxation, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 348, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

 

Board of Directors of the High Technology Development Corporation

 

G.M. No. 348

BRIAN J. GOLDSTEIN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Upon review of the testimonies and statement submitted by the nominee, your Committee finds that Brian J. Goldstein has the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to serve on the Board of Directors of the High Technology Development Corporation.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Brian J. Goldstein from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; High Technology Development Corporation; and Hawaii Aquaculture Association.

 

     Brian J. Goldstein is President and CEO of Sunrise Capital, Inc., (dba Kona Bay Marine Resources), a company he brought back from insolvency in sixteen months by raising over $2,500,000 in financing from private and institutional investors.  Prior to this, Mr. Goldstein held senior management positions with California-based software companies Hoana Technologies, Inc.; Vivaldi Networks, Inc.; Brio Technology, Inc.; and Oracle Corporation.  He has a Masters in Business Administration in International Management from the Garvin School of International Management (Thunderbird) and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Arizona State University.  Mr. Goldstein is a reappointment to the Board, and serves as its Chairman.

 

     Your Committee finds that the High Technology Development Corporation is at a critical juncture, with general fund support declining at the same time the Corporation is being tasked with additional commitments by the Administration.  For example, 2007 legislation alone would have the Corporation responsible for a ten‑year lease commitment in the proposed technology incubator in Kakaako and an expansion of its role with the proposed digital media hub.  This comes at a time when Hawaii's technology sector is expanding, particularly small start-ups and other fledgling entrepreneurial businesses that rely on the Corporation for a variety of services and financial assistance.

 

     Your Committee has questioned the nominee with respect to his perspective on the challenges facing the Corporation and his role in developing solutions to these challenges.  As a reappointment and in his role as Chairman, Mr. Goldstein is fully aware of the issues that a public sector agency confronts in assisting what is essentially a private sector and highly evolving industry.  In his responses, he noted comparable experiences during his years in California's technology sector and his background as a federal programs manager.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Taxation that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Taxation,

 

 

 

____________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair