The University of Hawai'i is losing its director of capital improvements, Jan Yokota, who helped initiate private-public partnerships to advance major development projects for the institution.

Yokota will join Ala Moana Center owner General Growth Properties Inc. to oversee development in Hawai'i for the company effective July 5.

The move gives the Chicago-based shopping center owner and developer a key asset in its development efforts, which include major expansion at Ala Moana Center and nearby Ward Centers.

General Growth is one of the largest private landowners in Kaka'ako, a district with special development rules regulated by a state agency Yokota headed before joining UH in August 2003.

"It'll be fun working partially in the Kaka'ako region again," she said.

At UH, Yokota began several initiatives at the request of the university's Board of Regents to partner with private developers to advance several of the school's largest projects in recent history, including new student housing, a West O'ahu campus and a cancer research center in Kaka'ako.

Yokota's primary responsibility was overseeing design and construction of major projects at UH campuses. A replacement for Yokota is being sought.

Yokota will become General Growth's vice president of Hawai'i development, succeeding Jeff Dinsmore, who left the company May 31.

Dinsmore joined General Growth in 2002 when it bought Victoria Ward Ltd., the local owner of Ward Centers. Dinsmore had been with Victoria Ward since 1997, serving as chief financial officer and helping the Kaka'ako shopping complex with major expansion.

Dinsmore said he has not decided what he plans to do next. "I had a good run at General Growth, and just decided to do something other than work for a public company," he said.

Previously, Yokota was executive director of the Hawai'i Community Development Authority, a state agency that regulates development in Kaka'ako. She held the position for seven years.

Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com.