Posted on: Sunday, October 17, 2004

City Hall deputy Tom moves to private sector

By Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Staff Writer

Malcolm Tom, a top official in Mayor Jeremy Harris' administration for nearly a decade, has left City Hall to become chief business officer for St. Francis Healthcare System.

Tom joined Harris' Cabinet in early 1995 as budget director, and in 1999 became deputy managing director, the third-highest spot in the city hierarchy.

"We welcome his business expertise and his commitment to the community," said St. Francis spokeswoman Teri Tanaka.

Tom was widely regarded at City Hall as a hard worker who stayed late at night and took on extra responsibilities. But he was criticized by some City Council members and others for what they saw as an abrasive and stubborn personality.

"We always had a hard time getting him to answer questions," said council budget chairwoman Ann Kobayashi. "He eventually would respond, but it was difficult getting real answers."

Tom helped engineer and execute a controversial 1998 restructuring of city government that eliminated several departments by consolidating their responsibilities into others. He said he had no immediate plans for changes at St. Francis, a Honolulu-based healthcare system that began in 1883 when the Sisters of St. Francis established a hospital to care for Hansen's disease patients.

"There are a lot of good people and close friends (at City Hall); we've accomplished a lot, and I've enjoyed working with the mayor to accomplish his vision," Tom said.

Harris said he greatly appreciated Tom's work and wished him well in his new endeavor.

Reach Johnny Brannon at jbrannon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.