STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3531

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 562, 563, 564, 565, 566

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 562, 563, 564, 565, and 566, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Hawai'i Workforce Development Council

 

G.M. No. 562

ARUN SAVARA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015;

 

G.M. No. 563

JEFF THOMPSON,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015;

 

G.M. No. 564

VICKI GAYNOR,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015;

 

G.M. No. 565

ROBERT MARTIN, JR.,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015; and

 

G.M. No. 566

PAUL RICHARDS,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Arun Savara, Jeff Thompson, Vicki Gaynor, Robert Martin, Jr., and Paul Richards to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to serve on the Hawaii Workforce Development Council.

 


ARUN SAVARA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Arun Savara from the Hawaii Workforce Development Council, Castle Resorts & Hotels, and three individuals.

 

     Mr. Savara earned his Bachelor of Technology degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Bombay, India, Master of Science degree in Operations Research from Cornell University, and Doctorate degree in Strategic Management from Purdue University.  Mr. Savara is currently self-employed and performs consulting services to a few companies to develop strategic information systems plans, design networks, and perform onsite and offshore software development.  He also owns and manages The Maids, a housekeeping company, which he successfully converted into a profitable company.  From 1988 to 1994, he served in various senior management positions at VeriFone Inc.

 

     The Workforce Development Council indicated to your Committee that Mr. Savara will bring to the Council extensive experience from his time spent as an executive in medium to large corporate settings as well as a small business owner.  While serving as an interim appointee on the Council, he was active in overseeing the State's annual performance report to the federal government and proactive in gaining a better understanding of the myriad federal requirements.

 

JEFF THOMPSON

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Jeff Thompson from the Hawaii Workforce Development Council and one individual.

 

     The Workforce Development Council indicated to your Committee that Mr. Thompson will bring to the Council his vast experience in the construction industry.  Accordingly, his membership will benefit the Council in its attempts to resolve long-term workforce issues relating to one of Hawaii's largest employment bases and economic drivers.  His assistance is needed by the Council to identify the barriers associated with better preparing and positioning of local labor to fill positions, such as project manager positions that are traditionally filled by imported labor from the mainland.

 

VICKI GAYNOR

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Vicki Gaynor from two individuals.

 

     Ms. Gaynor earned her Bachelor in Education and Master in Education degrees from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Ms. Gaynor currently serves as Vice President of Environet, Inc., where she provides business operations oversight for a mid-sized engineering firm specializing in civil and environmental engineering.  She is directly responsible for all administrative functions, including human resources, contracts management, information technology, and facilities, and serves as a member of Environet's management team that is responsible for developing operating budgets and executing strategic plans.  She previously served as a Vice President for Haseko (Hawaii), Inc., the Director of Development at Maryknoll Schools, a Program Manager for the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii, and a teacher for the Department of Education.  She also has substantial experience serving on several governmental commissions as a community volunteer.

 

     Testifiers in support of Ms. Gaynor's nomination indicated to your Committee that Ms. Gaynor serves as an interim appointee on the Workforce Development Council.  Her prior work in public and private education, coupled with her executive-level private sector experience, makes her a valuable asset to the Council.

 

ROBERT MARTIN, JR.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Robert Martin, Jr., from one individual.

 

     Mr. Martin earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising from Southern Methodist University and Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the Chicago-Kent College of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology.  Mr. Martin is currently an Associate Attorney with Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing where he focuses his practice on intellectual property, litigation, commercial transactions, health care, and real estate.  He is a former member of the Waikiki Neighborhood Board, District 9.

 

     Testimony in support of Mr. Martin's nomination indicates that his experience in the legal and real estate professions will benefit the Workforce Development Council in identifying barriers associated with those high-skilled and -wage career paths.  Additionally, as a member of one of Hawaii's largest law firms employing a variety of skilled occupations, he will be able to assist the Council in identifying any current employment trends in Hawaii's legal field.  Mr. Martin's myriad of experience makes him a vital asset to the Council.

 

PAUL RICHARDS

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Paul Richards from the Hawaii Workforce Development Council and one individual.

 

     Mr. Richards earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Business Administration from Hawaii Pacific University.  Mr. Richards currently serves as the Executive Director for the Native Hawaiian Education Council.  As Executive Director, he administers all policies and functions consistent with the Native Hawaiian Education Act and the Native Hawaiian Education Council (NHEC), its Executive Committees, and the NHEC Island Councils.  He also serves as President of the Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association and the Chairperson of Ke Ola Mamo.

 

     The Workforce Development Council indicated to your Committee that Mr. Richards will be an invaluable asset for the Council in ensuring that the existing state workforce development infrastructure provides meaningful access and services to the Native Hawaiian population.

 

     This year, the Workforce Development Council plans to prepare a five-year state plan on its use of federal Workforce Investment Activities monies as required by the federal government in order for Hawaii to receive the bulk of federal funding for the State's primary job training and placement activities.  Your Committee finds that all of the nominees will be vital to these efforts.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,

 

 

 

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair