HEI - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Chairman of the Executive Committee
- Retired
In addition to extensive leadership expertise, Admiral Fargo brings to the Board deep knowledge of the U.S. military, a major customer of HEI's electric utility subsidiary and a key driver of Hawaii's economy. He has top level management, strategic planning and financial and non-financial risk assessment skills developed over 40 years of leading nine organizations ranging in size from 130 to 300,000 people and managing budgets up to $8 billion.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Owner, Fargo Associates LLC (since 2005) (defense and homeland/national security consultancy)
Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command (retired)
Job Titles:
- Partner and Chief Operating Officer, the Kobayashi Group
Business experience Chief Operating Officer, The Kobayashi Group, 2018-present Executive Vice President, The Kobayashi Group, 2008-2018 Skills and qualifications for board service From her executive leadership of Kobayashi Group, LLC, Hawaii-based real estate development firm, extensive experience with planning, including sustainable design, renewable energy installations, financing and overseeing large real estate development projects totaling over $4 billion across the State of Hawaii, and experience with executive management, marketing, community engagement and government relations. Governance expertise and a strong understanding of the communities in which the utility operates from her development of projects and service on numerous non-profit and government boards in the state, including boards of organizations focused on health, education, public transportation and community development. Recognized business and community leader, including Women of Distinction honoree by the Girl Scouts of Hawaii. Education Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, English Literature and Psychology, Georgetown University
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- President
Ms. Teranishi is the president and chief executive officer of American Savings Bank. Ms. Teranishi joined the bank in 2007 and leads the management team responsible for growing the bank's business to better serve Hawaii's retail and business customers. She also serves as a director of the bank.
Prior to her promotion to CEO, Ms. Teranishi served as executive vice president of operations, where she was responsible for delivering operational improvements to enhance overall customer experience. She played a key role in transitioning ASB from more traditional branch-centric operations to online and other self-service options, which have become increasingly popular with customers during the pandemic. Throughout Ms. Teranishi's various management assignments, she also was responsible for developing an enterprise-wide compliance program, leading the retail credit team to best-in-class fulfillment times for consumer loans, and heading strategic initiatives to enhance ASB's quality of customer service.
Ms. Teranishi has received numerous recognitions for her business, leadership and community contributions, including Pacific Business News' Women Who Mean Business, Hawaii Business Magazine's 20 for the Next 20, and Girl Scouts Women of Distinction. Ms. Teranishi is an Omidyar Fellow and serves on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Hawaii Literacy, the Hawaii Cellular Therapy and Transplant Center, and the U.S.-Japan Council.
Ms. Teranishi holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Economics from Claremont McKenna College, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington's Graduate School of Business and the Stanford Graduate School of Business Emerging COO program.
Job Titles:
- Chief Administrative Officer
- Executive Vice President
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Customer Service
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
- Executive Vice President
Job Titles:
- Independent Director
- Leader
- Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Ms. Connors is a recognized leader in climate risk and environmental sustainability with over two decades of experience shaping economic development and energy policy.
As CEO of the Hawai‘i Local 2030 Hub, an internationally recognized center of excellence, Ms. Connors is leading strategies to scale policy, technology, and financial solutions to build community resilience. As the Executive Director of Hawai‘i Green Growth (2015-2021), a Hawai‘i-based network of over 150 members, Ms. Connors convened business, government and non-profit stakeholders to catalyze action on Hawai‘i's 2030 sustainability goals and deliver long-term value to all. She has extensive experience in resilient infrastructure project development, management and finance as the co-founder and CEO of c.dots development.
Ms. Connors is a climate risk and national security expert with significant government, regulatory and policy experience from serving at the White House National Security Council (2008-2012) as the Director for Climate and Environment managing policy across all US federal agencies. In this role, she was also part of the National Economic Council where she led green growth and economic development strategies, supporting the 2009 APEC Summit and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations. Ms. Connors advised the President, Vice President, Cabinet members and other government leaders on environment and sustainable development strategy. She is also a foreign policy expert having served overseas as a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State.
Raised in Hawai‘i, Ms. Connors has a proven track record of working to achieve Hawai‘i's energy and sustainability goals, which adds significant value to HEI's efforts to accelerate a sustainable future for Hawai‘i.
Professional experience
Executive Director of Hawai‘i Green Growth (network based organization focused on achieving Hawai‘i's 2030 climate, energy and environmental sustainability goals (2015-2021)
Visiting Scholar and Associate Practitioner in Residence (Energy, Resources and Environment Program), Johns Hopkins University (2012-2019)
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, c.dots development (builds partnerships to deliver resilient infrastructure (since 2012)
Director (Environment and Climate Change), National Security Council, White House (2008-2012)
Diplomat, U.S. Department of State (2000-2012)
Foreign Policy Advisor (Office of the Mayor), City of New York (1999- 2000)
HEI President and CEO Connie Lau and board member Peggy Fowler discuss how the HEI Board of Directors think about Hawaii's sustainable future, advancing technology to create value for all stakeholders, and planning for the future.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Executive Vice President
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Executive Advisor to
Dine Brands Global, Inc. (formerly known as DineEquity) (since 2004); Non-Executive Chairman (since 2017)
Job Titles:
- Independent Director
- Business Leader
Ms. Flores is a recognized business leader. She currently serves as CEO and Vice Chair of L&L Franchise, Inc. which has 210 restaurants across the country and in Japan. She is responsible for setting the strategic vision of the company and driving new growth initiatives. She has been instrumental in developing key partnerships to expand the L&L brand, strengthening the brand across markets and implementing national revenue generating programs for the franchises.
Job Titles:
- Chief
- General Counsel
- Vice President
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Human Resources & Chief People Strategist
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer, Portland General Electric Company
Business experience Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. (HEI), 2011-April 2017 Director since 2012, Audit and Corporate Governance Committee Member, Crius Energy Trust (TSX: KWH) Director since 2015, SKAI Ventures Skills and qualifications for board service 18 years of executive leadership, financial oversight, risk management, investor relations, tax, accounting, financial and SEC reporting and strategic planning experience from serving as EVP and CFO of HEI, serving as President of Reliant Energy Solutions LLC and Senior Vice President and General Manager of Commercial & Industrial Marketing and Senior Vice President - Business Development of Reliant Energy, Inc. 14 years of banking industry experience from serving as Managing Director and Head of UBS Chicago and its corporate banking unit, as well as head of UBS's North American project finance team. Duties focused on corporate finance, capital markets and M & A. In-depth knowledge of issues facing American Savings Bank gained from 9 years as EVP and CFO of American Savings Bank's parent company, HEI. Hawaii business and leadership experience from his 7 years of service as a Trustee on the Hawaii Pacific University Board. Education MPA from Syracuse University and graduate of the Advanced Management Program of the European Institute of Business Administration in Fontainebleau, France.
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
- Senior Vice President
Job Titles:
- Chief Operations Officer
- Senior Vice President
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Product
Job Titles:
- Independent Director
- Member of the Executive Committee
Within three major financial institutions, Mr. Russell served as an executive and/or Director and held domestic and international positions in all areas of banking, finance, capital markets and risk management. He has served on numerous panels on corporate governance and strategic direction.
Job Titles:
- Retired President and Chief Executive Officer, Hawaii Community Foundation
Mr. Taketa is a well-respected leader and brings deep understanding of Hawaii's distinctive cultural and business environment to the Board. He also brings extensive knowledge of environmental issues having served as executive director of the Asia/Pacific Region of The Nature Conservancy. Mr. Taketa has dedicated his career to environmental conservation and sustainable community development. He has been nationally recognized by the Nonprofit Times on three occasions (2010, 2015, 2016) as one of the most powerful and influential people in the Nonprofit and Philanthropic Sector in the US, and with the US Department of Interior Conservation Service Award and the Chevron Corporation Conservation Award.
Job Titles:
- Retired Chief Marketing Officer, Square, Inc.
Business experience Chief Marketing Officer, Square, Inc., 2015 - 2019 Chief Marketing Officer, Visa, Inc, 2012 - 2014 Skills and qualifications for hawaiian electric board service Executive management, leadership and strategic planning skills from his service as Chief Marketing Officer for Square, Inc., where he is responsible for driving brand leadership, customer acquisition, overall product and business growth, as well as from his 10 years as a senior executive for Visa, Inc., where he was responsible for transforming Visa's marketing organization and overseeing key strategic initiatives which included global campaigns. Extensive finance and investment expertise gained through his position at Visa, Inc., where he set overall investment strategy and directed investment of a budget of over $800 million across more than 70 markets, including emerging markets. Substantial experience working across a range of industries, including financial services, technology and energy gained from his over 30 years in the marketing industry, including serving as President of JWT San Francisco (marketing and communications agency). Skilled business leader who has built and led high-performing organizations from start-up to establishing regional as well as global markets, including founding a successful full-service advertising agency that focused on emerging digital brands.
Kurt K. Murao - Chief Legal Officer, EVP, Secretary
Job Titles:
- Chief Administrative Officer
- Corporate Secretary
- Executive Vice President
- General Counsel
- in 2011 As Associate General Counsel
Kurt Murao is executive vice president, general counsel, chief administrative officer and corporate secretary at Hawaiian Electric Industries ("HEI"). In this role, Mr. Murao oversees and leads HEI's legal and compliance, administration and corporate secretary functions and is HEI's chief compliance officer.
Job Titles:
- President and Chief Executive Officer, Puget Sound Energy, Inc
Business experience President and Chief Executive Officer, Puget Sound Energy, Inc. since January 2020 El Paso Electric Company (NYSE: EE), President 2014-2015, Chief Executive Officer 2015-2017, President and Chief Executive Officer 2017-2019 Skills and qualifications for board service Executive management, leadership and strategic planning skills developed over nearly three decades as a businessperson and lawyer and currently as President and CEO of Puget Sound Energy, Inc. a 150 year old utility providing electric power and natural gas to 1.5 million customers in the state of Washington. Business, regulatory, financial stewardship and legal experience from her prior roles as President and CEO, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer and Director of FERC Compliance for El Paso Electric Company, and Senior Enforcement Attorney for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. . Extensive knowledge of the electric utility industry from her 15 years of experience in leadership roles at Puget Sound Energy, Inc. and El Paso Electric Company. Corporate governance knowledge and familiarity with financial oversight and fiduciary responsibilities from her service as a director for Boston Properties, Inc. (NYSE: BXP) the largest publicly traded developer, owner, and manager of premier workplaces in the United States and prior director of El Paso Electric, an electric utility providing generation, transmission and distribution to customers in west Texas and southern New Mexico. Education Juris Doctor, University of Texas School of Law Bachelor of Arts, Williams College
Job Titles:
- Independent Director
- Member of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee
Mr. Kāne is a well-respected leader in the State of Hawaii and brings extensive leadership and a deep understanding of Hawaii's cultural, business and political environment to the Board.
His career has been distinguished by his leadership of significant private and public trusts, including his current role as Chief Executive Officer of Hawaii Community Foundation, Hawaii's largest and oldest Foundation, his service as a Trustee of the largest land trust in the state of Hawaii, Kamehameha Schools, a private school system established under the will of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop to educate Native Hawaiians and his prior role as Chairman/Director of the State of Hawaii Department of Hawaiian Homelands.
He is skilled in government affairs, policy development, public relations, and crisis management through his service as Chairman/Executive Director of the Hawaii Republican Party.
Mr. Kennedy has a unique mix of experience leading multiple fintech companies, combined with a decade-plus as an executive at or consultant to large US Based banks and financial institutions.
Most recently Mr. Kennedy has led numerous Fintechs from early stage, through rapid growth, to successful sale. His first startup, which he founded and led as CEO, was the Zelle Payments Network, formerly clearXchange. Mr. Kennedy grew this from an idea to the largest person to person digital payments network in the world, eventually selling the company. Subsequently, Mr. Kennedy became the CEO of Interstellar, revolutionizing international payments using blockchain technology. Interstellar was acquired by Velo Labs, where he stayed on as the CEO of the combined organization.
As a banker, Mr. Kennedy was an Executive Vice President at Wells Fargo and Company. During his seven years at Wells Fargo he led Payments Strategy, Innovation, and Wealth Management Strategy and Implementation. This diversity of roles gave him both breadth and depth of banking knowledge. He was able to jump start this banking career through six years with McKinsey and Company's financial services practice, advising C-suite executives on critical strategic and operational decisions.
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Power Supply
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Executive Vice President
Paul Ito is executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) at HEI. Mr. Ito has been with HEI since 2018, where he has served as vice president of tax, controller and treasurer. He has led the accounting, financial reporting, tax and treasury functions, and provided support in the enterprise risk management, investment analysis, and strategic and operating plan functions. Mr. Ito also managed HEI's information technology efforts, leading digital transformation initiatives in accounting, tax and financial reporting.
Prior to joining HEI, Mr. Ito was senior vice president and CFO at Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. (A&B) (NYSE: ALEX), one of Hawai‘i's leading commercial real estate companies. During his employment at A&B (2005-2017), his other roles included director of internal audit, corporate controller and treasurer. Mr. Ito worked in the audit practice at Deloitte & Touche, LLP's offices in Honolulu and San Jose, and Deloitte's national office in San Francisco (1996-2005).
Mr. Ito holds a bachelor of business administration from University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and a master in professional accounting degree with a concentration in managerial accounting from University of Texas in Austin. He is a certified public accountant (not in public practice).
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee
- Independent Director
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Executive Committee
Ms. Fowler has deep environmental and renewable energy expertise. During Ms. Fowler's tenure as CEO, PGE made the strategic decision to reduce use of oil and coal, and has been ranked #1 on multiple occasions for selling more renewable power to residential customers than any other U.S. utility. Under Ms. Fowler's leadership, wind and solar projects were constructed and integrated into the PGE grid.
Professional experience
35 years of executive leadership, senior officer and operating positions, PGE
Job Titles:
- Audit & Risk Committee Member
- Independent Director
- Member of the Executive Committee
Mr. Dahl has significant leadership, strategy, audit and risk-management expertise. He has in-depth experience in corporate transformation and restructuring, and in driving improved corporate governance and shareholder engagement. His experiences working in Hawaii and on the U.S. mainland, and in banking and the electric utility industry, bring valuable perspective to the Board.
Under Mr. Dahl's leadership, Dole Food Company invested in a number of sustainability initiatives that secured external recognition. Dole was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Magazine, and undertook a carbon offset program to secure a carbon neutral operating footprint.
Professional experience
Interim Chief Executive Officer, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (formerly known as DineEquity) (3/1/17 - 9/15/17) (franchisor of over 3000 Applebee's and IHOP restaurants)
President and Chief Operating Officer (2004-2007) and Chief Operating Officer (2002-2004), Dole Food Company
President and Chief Operating Officer, Bank of Hawaii Corporation (1981-2002)
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Executive Committee
- President
- Board Member of the Electric Power Research Institute
- President and Chief Executive Officer / Executive Committee Member
Seu also worked as a mechanical and environmental engineer in California and worked abroad in China before returning home to Hawai‘i.
Scott Seu is president and chief executive officer of HEI, the parent company of Hawaiian Electric, American Savings Bank and Pacific Current.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- President
- President and Chief Executive Officer, Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.
Shelee Kimura is the president and chief executive officer of Hawaiian Electric, which serves 95% of Hawaii's population on the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Lanai and Molokai and is committed to serving communities with safe, affordable, reliable clean energy.
Shelee was appointed to her current role in January 2022 and previously served as senior vice president of Customer Service & Public Affairs and senior vice president of Business Development & Strategic Planning. She provided leadership for the company's customer care initiatives through the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn, making equity and access a top priority while improving customer satisfaction and stakeholder engagement. She led the development of Hawaiian Electric's 2015- 2020 Strategic Transformation Plan. During that period, she strengthened and grew the Hawaii market for affordable, clean energy resources and launched the electric transportation division, which will play a critical role to help decarbonize Hawaii's economy.
Before joining Hawaiian Electric, Shelee led Investor Relations and Strategic Planning at Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI), the parent company of Hawaiian Electric and the largest publicly traded company in Hawaii. She previously worked as HEI's director of corporate finance and investments and prior to that was a consulting manager at Arthur Andersen and its successor firm in Honolulu, KMH LLP.
Shelee was honored in 2020 as one of three women selected for the Girl Scouts of Hawaii Women of Distinction, an award that recognizes the achievements of women who demonstrate courage, confidence and character. In 2016, she was honored with the Clean Energy Education and Empowerment Business award by the U.S. Department of Energy, in collaboration with the Stanford Precourt Institute for Energy and the MIT Energy Initiative.
Shelee received her bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she was a presidential scholar. She is an executive education graduate of the Advanced Management Program of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Shelee is an Omidyar Fellow and serves on the board of Na Kama Kai and the Kamehameha Schools audit committee. Shelee and her husband are proud parents of three teenage children.
Job Titles:
- Chief Credit Officer
- Executive Vice President
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Senior Vice President
Job Titles:
- President and Chief Executive Officer, Zephyr Insurance Company, Inc.
Business experience President and Chief Executive Officer, Zephyr Insurance Company since April 2018 Chief Consumer Officer, Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) 2011 to June 2017 President and CEO, Bishop Museum, 2007-2011 Skills and qualifications for board service Executive management, leadership and strategic planning skills developed over three decades as a businessperson and lawyer and currently as President and CEO of Zephyr Insurance Company. Business, regulatory, financial stewardship and legal experience from his prior roles as Chief Consumer Affairs Officer, HMSA, President and CEO of the Bishop Museum, Chief Operating Officer for the Estate of Samuel Mills Damon (former private trust with assets valued at over $900 million prior to its dissolution), Chairperson of the Hawaii State Board of Land and Natural Resources, Director of the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources and Vice President and General Counsel at Amfac Property Development Corp. Corporate governance knowledge and familiarity with financial oversight and fiduciary responsibilities from overseeing the HMSA Internal Audit department, from his prior service as a director for The Gas Company LLC (now Hawaii Gas) and his current service as a trustee of the Parker Ranch Foundation Trust (charitable trust with assets valued at over $350 million), as a director and Audit Committee Chair for Parker Ranch, Inc. (largest ranch in Hawaii, with significant real estate assets), as a director and Audit Committee member for Grove Farm Company, Inc. (privately-held community and real estate development firm operating on the island of Kauai) and on the board of Kualoa Ranch, Inc. (private ranch in Hawaii offering tours and activity packages to the public).
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- President
Business experience President & Chief Operating Officer, KTA Super Stores, 2014-present Executive Vice President, KTA Super Stores, 2006-2014 President, K. Taniguchi, Limited, 2019-present Vice President, K. Taniguchi Limited, 1999-2019 Skills and qualifications for board service Executive leadership experience as President and Chief Operating Officer of KTA Super Stores, where he is responsible for the daily operations of the largest network of retail grocery stores on the island of Hawaii. KTA Super Stores has invested in environmental and social innovations including electric vehicle infrastructure investments, PV system installation, sourcing from locally owned and produced businesses, supporting their marketing and expanded distribution, and philanthropic programs with direct community impact. Current knowledge of and experience with the business community on the island of Hawaii, which is serviced by Hawaiian Electric Company's subsidiary, Hawaii Electric Light Company, from serving in leadership positions for 17 years at KTA Super Stores which has seven retail stores all over the island and is one of the oldest grocers on island, established 105 years ago. Extensive corporate and non-profit board leadership experience from his service on private and non-profit boards in the state which include areas of impact such as community development, health and human services, education, business, industry, insurance, and economic development. Recognized business and community leader, including recognitions by the Hawaii Business Magazine for his leadership with the "40 Under Forty" distinction and the "20 for the Next 20" award. Education Certificate in Executive Food Industry Management, University of Southern California Bachelor of Science Communications Management, University of Portland
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Audit & Risk Committee Chair
- Independent Director / Audit & Risk Committee Chair
Mr. Scilacci has significant leadership and operational management experience through serving as CFO of Edison International, a publicly-traded company whose market cap increased substantially during Mr. Scilacci's tenure. He has extensive experience communicating with Wall Street analysts, investors, and rating agencies and has demonstrated a strong track record of considerable shareholder value creation.
Mr. Scilacci's track record of success is highlighted by his recognition as one of the top CFOs in the electric utility sector by a 2017 Institutional Investor survey of investors and sell-side analysts.
Job Titles:
- Independent Director / HEI Audit & Risk Committee Member
Ms. Otani brings a wealth of experience both national and international related to corporate finance, risk management and commercial and investment banking. She has 27 years of leadership experience at one of the world's largest consumer banking institutions. She has extensive knowledge in the area of risk management from serving for 10 years as Senior Credit Officer at Citibank's global commercial and investment bank and serving on the Executive Committee of the Risk Management Association (New York).