STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3477

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 629

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 629, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Comptroller of the Department of Accounting and General Services

G.M. No. 629

DEAN SEKI, for a term to expire 12-1-2014,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Dean Seki to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated as the Comptroller of the Department Of Accounting and General Services.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Dean Seki from the Governor; Department of Transportation; Department of Agriculture; Department of Accounting and General Services; Department of Human Resources Development; State Adjutant General; Department of Taxation; Department of Budget and Finance; Department of Transportation; Office of Information Management & Technology; Aloha Stadium; Campaign Spending Commission; Department of Public Safety; Office of the State Librarian; Honolulu Community College; Pacific Resource Partnership; Coalition of Hawaii Engineering and Architectural Professionals; General Contractors Association of Hawaii; Ralph S. Inouye Co., Ltd.; Building Industry Association of Hawaii; Laborers Employers Cooperation and Education Trust; and numerous individuals.

     Dean Seki has experience working in the Executive Branch as a member of the Governor's research staff and twelve years of experience as a Planning and Policy Analyst in the Department of Accounting and General Services, Public Works Division.  He also served as the legislative coordinator for the Department of Accounting and General Services.  Mr. Seki was also the Deputy Director at the Department of Taxation and the Department of Accounting and General Services.

     Mr. Seki believes that the mission of the Comptroller is to help state agencies better serve the public by providing superior public facilities, expert technological solutions and services, operational support, fiscal guidance, oversight of administrative services, and support for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.

     Testimony indicated that Mr. Seki has demonstrated tremendous professionalism and leadership skills within the Department of Accounting and General Services for the short time that he has served as Comptroller.  His management abilities, experience, and knowledge are exactly what are needed to improve general services.  His management style is one of collaboration with others to identify issues and formulate solutions to the problem.  Testifiers felt that Mr. Seki has a sense of fairness, respect, and integrity.

     Your Committee believes that Mr. Seki has been forthright in his testimony and sincere about bringing improvement to the management of departments, including addressing the public employee overtime payment issues.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs that is 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 Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs,

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair