HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0326.003 2012-2014 COUNTY CLERK
July 9, 2013 {R1T;,,r i {�4A;J ,I,
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1013 JU 10 AM 15%
Dear Chairman J.Yoshimura and Members of the County Council
My name is Gerald De Mello; I served as Director of University Relations for 21 years at UH Hilo up until
December 31, 2012. In my role at UH Hilo our team has had the opportunity to work on community
initiatives involving the University with Bobby Jean Leithead Todd. She has always demonstrated
integrity,thoroughness and competence in her work with us. Also going forward I have known Bobby
personally and professionally for my entire life. For the record we are family...cousins... Nonetheless, it is
with objectivity and complete professional confidence that I am here sr r sylbma,v ittin testimony in support of
Bobby Jean Leithead Todd for the position of Director of Environmental KeVh. I strongly support her
appointment as Director. Bobby Jean is affably known as"BJ" and is exceptionally qualified for this
position.She has been an attorney with over 25 years experience in state and county government,
practicing land use and family law. Currently, BJ serves very ably as the County of Hawaii, Planning
Director;also Bobby served as the Legislative Auditor for Hawaii County and was elected four times�to�£ r�
the Hawaii County Council. Finally, she previous held this position as Director of Environmental) e`alth
and served capably and effectively and is being asked to once again serve as Director for this
department. Bobby Jean works hard, is diligent and thorough. Consequently, Bobby Jean has earned a
reputation of being a member on the"first team,first string"among administrators for Hawaii County.
I know BJ to be an extraordinary individual with great personal,academic and professional breath. As
an aside in terms of her personal history, I have known Bobby to be an exceptional student who excelled
academically. I note this history because I believe it affirms her lifetime of personal diligence and serves
as a segue into her professionalism and evinces her competence. Also, I followed her professional career
over the past 25 years. To this end, I know that Bobby has earned the confidence of the people that she
has worked with as well as the Hawaii Island Community. Bobby Jean not only...has the unique ability to
grasp and simplify complex issues but to explain them in terms easily understood. Further, as an
Administrator she has a record of implementing solutions to problems. This quality is an asset and
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critically important to be a successful administrator with the Department of Environmentall4eal#h. A
review of her professional career will affirm her extensive,able and seasoned management skills in
County government. Anecdotally, people who have worked with Bobby have said that along with being
competent,she is very personable.This said the qualities that she possesses are needed to be a
successful manager and time for a leaver,who will be charged with seeking solutions and solving
problems in Environmental Health to enable Hawaii County to move toward compliance in the solid
waste and waste water operations.
In addition, BJ's strength is her ability to manage, plan and implement projects no matter how small,
large or complex. Further, Bobby has demonstrated that she can work toward solutions and has a record
for getting a job done in a timely manner.Also, she is systematic,a clear thinker who gets the job done
right.These are the qualities of a successful administrator and one that can implement the needed
policy and programs in Environmental h.
hAd tiffntrl Comm. No. `3.2 G.3
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Ref. Date JUL 1 0 2013
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I believe Bobby Jean is exceptionally well suited for this position.She is open to ideas,a listener and a
leader that has extensive experience meeting challenges and working with diverse groups, keeps people
focused and on the work agenda.Today this is no easy task given the complexities and challenges that
our County government currently faces. Finally, Bobby is a keki no ka aina,a loving mother,a foster
parent,a product of our public schools in Hawaii,an honors graduate of the University of Hawaii and
Richardson Law School, has deep family roots,a knowledge of and relationship to Hawaii's history along
with a deep caring for the land and Hawaii's heritage,qualities and a sensitivity that are tremendous
assets to possess and manifest in public administration.
To conclude, Bobby Jean is a professional with integrity, high reliability,diligence, resourcefulness,and
leadership acumen. Notably, she is respected by colleagues and members of the Hawaii Island
Community that she has engaged personally and professionally. Bobby Jean's success is attributable to
her depth and breadth of professionalism, sense of fairness, helpful attitude,and compassion and
courtesy that she conveys to all. I have every confidence that she will advance the Department and
Hawaii County as our Director of Environmental Ilth comprehensively, programmatically and
successfully. 'k 1' 3 ti(
Mahalo for this opportunity to present testimony on behalf of Bobby Jean Leithead Todd.
Gerald De Mello
381 Haili Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone:961-2128