Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 329, 392, and 393, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Upon review of the background information submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that the nominees are qualified to serve in the positions to which they are nominated. Your Committee further finds that the nominees are being appointed based on their professional credentials and integrity.

Testimony in support of all the nominees was received from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, National Federation of Independent Business, and one individual.

Ms. Denise Walker is principal, historical researcher, and chief financial officer of Walker Consultants, Ltd., in Hilo. The company provides a wide variety of functions that include risk management, business planning, project scheduling, business financing and credit lines, insurance negotiations, and environmental site inspections. Ms. Walker received a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from the University of Western Ontario. She is currently active in the State of Hawaii’s bid for economic revitalization and is a member of the Hawaii Chapter, National Federation of Independent Business and its Guardian Advisory Council. Ms. Walker was appointed to the Governor’s Task Force on Small Business Regulatory Reform, has been on the Small Business Regulatory Review Board since its inception in 1998, and has previously served as Board Chair. Ms. Walker’s diverse experience represents a variety of areas associated with doing business in Hawaii. She continues to be a very strong contributor to the Small Business Regulatory Review Board.

Additional testimony in support of Ms. Walker's nomination were received from the Hawaii Business League.

Mr. David G. Rietow is co-owner, President, and Treasurer of Agro Resources, Inc.; co-owner and Vice President of Puna Flowers & Foliage, Inc.; co-owner, President, and Secretary of Agro Services, Inc.; co-owner and Secretary of Keaau Agromac, Inc.; and managing member of Agricon Hawaii, LLC. He is a graduate of Punahou School and Arizona State University, and was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

Mr. Rietow currently serves as the Secretary of Hawaii Employers Mutual Insurance Company. With his background in business ownership, Mr. Rietow will offer a strong presence to the Small Business Regulatory Review Board from the Island of Hawaii.

Additional testimony in support of Mr. Rietow's nomination was received from the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center.

Ms. Lynne E. Woods, since 1994, has served as President of the Maui Chamber of Commerce. Prior to that time, Ms. Woods worked at Coldwell Banker McCormack Real Estate and was President of Deltawave Manufacturing & Sales Corporation. This year, Ms. Woods was awarded the SBA Hawaii State Women in Business Advocate of the Year. She is a member of Western Association of Chamber Executives and a Trustee of Maui Quarantine Fund. Past memberships include Board Chair of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Board Chair of the Governor’s School to Work Executive Council, Maui Community College Planning Committee, Hawaii Better Business Bureau, Maui Economic Opportunity Board, Maui Economic Development Board, Maui Visitors Bureau, Hawaii State Chamber of Commerce, and Vice President of the Maui Workforce Development Board. Ms. Woods’ diverse professional background will be a valuable asset to the Small Business Regulatory Review Board.

Additional testimony in support of Ms. Woods' nomination was received from the Maui Hotel Association, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, and Hawaii Business League.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, character, 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.