STAND. COM. REP. NO. 916

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 502

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 502, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Director Of The Department Of Accounting And General Services

 

G.M. No. 502

RODERICK BECKER,

for a term to expire 12-03-2018,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

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

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Roderick Becker from Governor David Y. Ige; Department of Budget and Finance; Department of Health; Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Taxation; Department of Public Safety; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Department of Transportation; Department of Human Resources Development; State Procurement Office; Office of Enterprise Technology Services; and eighteen individuals.

 

     Prior to beginning work as Comptroller in November 2016, Roderick Becker was Deputy Director at the Department of Budget and Finance.  Mr. Becker's previous work experience includes a long tenure as Budget Chief of the Hawaii State Senate's Committee on Ways and Means from December 2008 to November 2014, Budget Analyst for the Honolulu City Council from August 2005 to December 2008, Capital Improvement Program Specialist at the Hawaii State Senate from January 2001 to August 2005, and Program Budget Analyst at the Hawaii State Senate from December 1999 to May 2000.  Mr. Becker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Mr. Becker is also a Certified Public Finance Officer through the Government Finance Officers Association.

 

     Your Committee believes that the nominee possesses the requisite financial and budget knowledge to qualify to serve as Comptroller and lead the Department of Accounting and General Services.  Mr. Becker has demonstrated his commitment to public service through his consistent and distinguished public service at local and state levels of government, taking on additional responsibilities and leadership roles as he progressed in his career.  His variety and depth of experience in all aspects of budgeting, financial and program management, and government administration and systems will provide a solid foundation to succeed in the position of Comptroller.  Testifiers commented that the nominee has a keen understanding of the budgetary process and government operations, making him an ideal leader of the department responsible for managing and supervising a wide range of state programs and activities.  Other testimony emphasized Mr. Becker's exemplary record of public service; his commitment to improving how state government functions, while taking particular note of taxpayers' best interests; his deliberative and methodical approach to government accounting and finance; and his professionalism and invaluable insight and guidance as a colleague.

 

     Your Committee notes from the nominee's personal statement and testimony before the Committee that reducing risk to the State and improving client services are his top goals.  Mr. Becker views the modernization of the state payroll system and the improvement of delivery of capital projects for user agencies as two opportunities for fulfilling these goals.  He acknowledges the many highly qualified and dedicated employees of the Department of Accounting and General Services and intends to guide and support their ongoing efforts, while recognizing that the Department needs to update and modernize its processes and training to utilize the most current technologies and best practices.  Mr. Becker additionally appreciates the broad scope of the Department and believes his background is well-suited to manage the multitude of agency and operational issues the he may encounter as Comptroller at any given time.  Mr. Becker identifies the overall goal of the Department is to strive for quality and consistency in the delivery of essential support services to other state departments and agencies in a cost-effective, productive, relevant, and timely manner.  Under his guidance, the Department will endeavor to improve metrics that are relevant to this goal.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations 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 Government Operations,

 

 

 

____________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair