STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3510

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 557

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 557, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Board of Directors of the High Technology Development Corporation

G.M. No. 557

LEIGH-ANN MIYASATO, for a term to expire 6-30-2018,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Leigh-Ann Miyasato to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Directors of the High Technology Development Corporation.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Leigh-Ann Miyasato from the High Technology Development Corporation, Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation, and twenty-seven individuals.

     Ms. Miyasato is the founding President and Executive Director of the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Hawaii, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to encourage entrepreneurial companies to engage in community service and philanthropy.  As Executive Director, she is responsible for member recruitment, event planning, fund development, board relations, community relations, finance, and administration.  Previously, Ms. Miyasato served as Vice President of Administration and Finance for DragonBridge Capital, LLC, a merchant bank that assisted Chinese technology companies, and Executive Director of HiBEAM, an accelerator for Hawaii technology startups.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University and Juris Doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley.

     In the past, Ms. Miyasato has worked with entrepreneurs and businesses in the Hawaii technology sector.  She is familiar with many High Technology Development Corporation tenants and clients and the Corporation's programs for entrepreneurs.

     Ms. Miyasato indicated in her personal statement that she hopes to find innovative and effective ways to support entrepreneurs and to expand the technology sector in Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Miyasato's past experiences, as well as her continuing commitment to issues related to entrepreneurs and businesses in Hawaii, will be great assets to the Board.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing 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 Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing,

____________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair