STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3551

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 267, 268

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 267 and 268, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation

G.M. No. 267	ROBERT EARL COOPER, for a term to expire 6-30-2012; and
G.M. No. 268	ROBERT V. OSGOOD, for a term to expire 6-30-2012,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees, and finds Robert Earl Cooper and Robert V. Osgood to have the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Robert Earl Cooper was submitted by the Department of Agriculture and the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

     Mr. Cooper has served on the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation since 2005.  He is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of W.H. Shipman, Ltd., where he managed 17,000 acres of land in Puna, which included leasing land to farmers, industrial and commercial development, and fiscal management.  Mr. Cooper received his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from San Jose State College.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Dr. Robert V. Osgood was submitted by the Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Forest Industry Association, and one interested individual.

     Currently an agricultural consultant, Dr. Osgood was previously the Vice President and Assistant Director of the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center.  He received his Bachelor's degree in Biology form the University of Miami and his Master's degree and Doctoral degree in Horticulture from the University of Hawaii.  Dr. Osgood is the past president of the Growth Regulator Society of America and the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association.  Having extensive experience in agronomy, horticulture, entomology, field engineering, and weed science, Dr. Osgood has managed several agricultural research projects and is experienced with a multitude of crop types.  He is familiar with the land and irrigation systems in present and future project areas statewide, as well as the agricultural practices, economics, and geopolitical environments of many counties.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs 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 Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

JILL TOKUDA, Chair