Trade Winds

Twenty-one-year company veteran RUSSELL FIGUEIROA has been named president of R.M. Towill Corp., responsible for operations and marketing of the firm's multi-disciplined engineering services. Figueiroa is also former senior vice president and manager of the firm's Kailua, Kona, Big Island, branch.

CARL HEFNER, teacher of anthropology and Asian Studies at Kapi'olani Community College, has been elected president of the Hawai'i chapter of the EAST-WEST CENTER ASSOCIATION alumni organization. Hefner was a center participant in anthropology from 1979 to 1984. Other chapter officers are vice president for fund raising STEPHEN LANE, president, Steven Lane Associates Inc.; vice president for participant activities KEALA LOSCH, Kapi'olani Community College, Department of Humanities; vice president for networking DAVID P. McCAULEY, associate, Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert; treasurer ETHEL A. WARD, commissioner, state Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and secretary ANGELA B. FRANCO.

VERONICA KANEKO has been named managing director of McDonald's of Hawai'i, the region's top corporate position. Kaneko will oversee operations, including franchisee relations, marketing and future development in Hawai'i, Guam and Saipan.

DAVID JONES has been appointed human resources manager for the Hawai'i Convention Center. He was most recently human resources administrator for Marc Resorts Hawai'i.

NICK SMALLWOOD has been named president of Courier Corporation of Hawai'i. Smallwood helped found Los Angeles' Courier Connection, as well as Mainland Express, which was sold to Courier Corp. of Hawai'i in 1998. He is vice president of the Air Cargo Association of Hawai'i.

RON NOMURA, former director of sales for the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa, has been promoted to director of marketing for both Japanese and North American markets.

Architects Hawai'i Ltd. has announced two promotions: EMILE C. ALANO, who specializes in commercial, mixed-use, resort, residential, industrial and institutional facilities, promoted from associate to senior associate; and RAYMOND OKAMOTO, whose responsibilities have been broadened to include construction administration.

KYLE K. NAKAMOTO has been named associate at Group 70 International Inc. of Hawai'i.

Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties has announced three new company vice presidents: VALERIE A. SORENSEN and ANNE HOGAN PERRY of the company's Kapi'olani office, and HOLLACE A. "HOLLY" TURL of the Windward office.

THOMAS CHOI has been promoted to director of operations for THRIFTY CAR RENTAL, overseeing all operations for Thrifty's statewide airport locations, as well as the Waikiki, and new Ka'anapali, Maui, location.

AIG Hawai'i Insurance Co. Ltd. promotions and appointment: MICHELE (TAGAWA) SAITO, from vice president of finance/operations to senior vice president; RICHARD BEATON, vice president of information technology, named chief technology officer; and MICHAEL ONOFRIETTI, vice president of underwriting to the AIG Hawai'i board of directors, named actuary and senior underwriting officer.

Island Insurance Companies: JAMES "JIM" L. NEWBERRY, most recently Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. supervisor and executive service consultant, named Island Insurance field services manager, Commercial Insurance Division, overseeing the loss-control and audit staff. DANIEL HAMADA, former company claim representative, has rejoined the company as claim supervisor for auto appraisal and property.

Island Insurance has also named two project managers: SHERILYN FUKUJI KIMURA, overseeing and managing initiatives in the Information Technology Department; and Karla Merry, for Workers' Compensation Software Development.

Visitor Industry appointments:

• Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa: YOKO TOKUNAGA promoted to director of regional sales-Asia/Pacific, including supervision of rooms and food and beverage sales manager at Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa, and overall Asia/Pacific sales at Hyatt Regency Kaua'i Resort and Spa, and Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa. Also promoted was RODAHL LEONG-LYONS, to director of sales, with supervision duties of the North American sales staff, and MIKE FUJII, former food and beverage sales manager-Asia/Pacific, to sales manager-Asia/Pacific, with expanded responsibility to overall resort room sales, with a focus on the Asia/Pacific region.
• King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel: RON MORIN has been named hotel manager of this Big Island hotel. He was most recently the hotel's rooms division manager; and previously was hotel manager at Marc Suites Waikiki and Waikiki Royal Suites.
• HTH Corporation: KC COLLINS LILLY has joined the corporate owner of the Pacific Beach Hotel, Pagoda Hotel, and King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel as marketing and communications manager.
• Also named by the company to the newly created post of corporate director of hotel operations is STEVE WINTER, former managing director of King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel.