2013-08-29 Special Meeting of the Merit Appeals Board Minutes

Home

home safely, and we cared and accounted for every cent in some of the worst conditions imaginable. That experience made Aileen and I re-consider what we wanted in life and more than anything, we wanted to live in peace, be together on a regular basis, and raise a family in a community that would value these same things. Together we decided, given that we both exceeded our service commitments, the best thing for us was to resign our commissions and start a family here on the Big Island, specifically in Hilo. I look back on those times now and I truly believe that was one of our best decisions in our life. In the summer of 2004, we packed up what little we had and drove cross country from North Carolina to California and from there to Hilo, HI. Aileen almost immediately began work as a Special Education Teacher and I pursued a HR Specialist vacancy at the Department of Public Works. Unbeknownst to me at the time, my professional life changed forever when, then Deputy Director of Public Works Ron Takahashi, hired me. Why I Want the Position On that note, I want to transition to why I'm applied for this position. My first reason for seeking this appointment is that I appreciate and remember that the County of Hawaii is the organization where some of its leaders gave me an opportunity when I first came to Hawaii Island in 2004. While you have my application that outlines my experience where I've served in capacities of progressively greater responsibility and scope in public sector Human Resources. What the application doesn't address is the quality of mentorship I've had over that period of time. I can tell you that no one in the State of Hawaii has had better role models and mentors than I have had. The County of Hawaii in particular has historically had outstanding HR Directors. The two that I've been associated with, Ron and Mike, have been the best in the business from their technical expertise,