Tourism headhunt enlists local firm
By Katherine Nichols
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Hawai'i Tourism Authority's search advisory committee has selected a Hawai'i-based search firm to help find a new executive director for the authority.
Inkinen & Associates Inc. already has begun work reviewing applications and recruiting potential candidates, according to a report presented at the authority's board meeting yesterday.
The authority said several executive search firms submitted proposals to the committee, and Inkinen presented the best proposal.
The process, which is expected to continue through June, will include initial screening, interviews, reference and background checks, and the presentation of a final candidate to the full board for approval.
The authority hired the search firm to "ensure that the recruitment and screening process for the executive director is fair, confidential, and guided by an unbiased third-party facilitator," said Roy Tokujo, chairman of the authority.
The search advisory committee also decided to add two members outside the board to increase representation from the community in the selection process.
Joyce Tsunoda, senior vice president and chancellor for the community colleges, will serve on the committee. The other community member has not been chosen.
The two members will work with Tokujo, Keith Vieira, David Carey and Ron Wright to evaluate and hire a candidate recommended by the search firm.
Inkinen & Associates is an international executive search and human resources consulting firm that has provided services to Hawai'i businesses since 1992.
The firm's contract and formal approval will occur at the authority board meeting next week.
The authority, the state organization charged with overseeing $61 million in tourism marketing money, has been searching for a new director since November when former executive director Robert Fishman resigned after being called up for active duty at the Pentagon. Richard Humphreys, the board's interim chief, took the temporary post for $1 a year.
The authority has said its national search for a leader has drawn more than 120 applications from both Hawai'i and the Mainland.
