Business Leaders On The Move In Hawaii
Douglas S. Chin has rejoined Carlsmith Ball as a partner in its Honolulu office. He has extensive high-level experience in corporate operations, administrative and governmental relations, and in renewable energy and clean technology. Prior to rejoining the firm, he served as the City and County of Honolulu’s managing director from October 2010 to January 2013, and over-saw 23 municipal agencies and approximately 10,000 employees in the executive branch.
Joan Takano has been named the Hawaii Government Employees Association’s field services officer. She now is responsible for overseeing union agents that serve state and city employees in various bargaining units. Takano has held previous positions at HGEA, including education and training specialist, and union agent. Prior to joining HGEA, she was an AFL-CIO community services liaison and a planner with the City & County.
James Owens has been appointed assistant director of food and beverage at Hilton Hawaiian Village. He will assist in the supervision of all food and beverage operations. Owens previously was food and beverage manager at the Kahala hotel, and prior to that held numerous food and beverage positions at Hilton Worldwide properties and independent restaurants.
Lisa Ontai is the new director of marketing and communications with YMCA of Honolulu’s management group. In her new position, she will oversee all branding, marketing and communication strategies for the YMCA of Honolulu, its eight branches on Oahu, Camp H.R. Erdman, as well as the organization’s child care, youth and teen development, senior, health and wellness, and philanthropy and development programs. She brings to the position more than 25 years of experience in marketing and public relations for non-profits and local businesses. Most recently, Ontai was the co-owner and vice president of Ontai-LaGrange and Associates.
Stephanie Ball has been named director of sales for AT&T Hawaii. She will oversee AT&T’s company-owned stores, national retail and local dealer sales channels across the state. Ball has been with AT&T for 10 years and most recently held the position of area retail sales manager.
David Earles has joined The Hawaii Meth Project as its executive director. In his new capacity, Earles will be responsible for driving the project’s strategic direction, community outreach and education, fund development efforts and business operations. He brings to the position more than 15 years of experience including management and roles in business development. Prior to joining the Hawaii Meth Project, Earles founded Capacity Plus LLC, a fundraising and marketing consulting company that served an extensive list of non-profit organizations.
Melissa Garcia has been appointed KeAli’i Pauahi’s annual giving specialist. She now is responsible for the planning and execution of the annual giving program with a focus on shaping a sustainable tradition of annual support from the foundation’s constituent groups. Previously, Garcia served as the administrative coordinator at Ke Ali’i Pauahi Foundation for three years, and prior to working with the foundation was a recreation aide with the City & County of Honolulu Department of Parks & Recreation.
