STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1565

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 537

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 537, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Deputy Director of the Department of Taxation

 

G.M. No. 537

JOSEPH KIM,

for a term to expire 12-3-2018,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal statement and resume submitted by Joseph Kim and had the opportunity to discuss with Mr. Kim his professional and educational background and plans for helping to lead the Department of Taxation.

 

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Mr. Kim as the Deputy Director of Taxation from representatives of the Office of the Governor, Department of Taxation, and seventeen individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination from one individual.

 

Mr. Kim received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1982 along with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering mechanics.  In 1990, he earned a Master's degree of business administration from City University.  Most recently, Mr. Kim served as Deputy Adjutant General where he ran the day-to-day operations of the Hawaii State Department of Defense, including matters involving budgeting, personnel, facilities management, and legislative affairs.

 

Prior to serving as Deputy Adjutant General, Mr. Kim served in the United States Air Force where he became an accomplished T-38 Talon and KC-135 Strato-tanker Instructor Pilot.  He also served as an Evaluator Instructor Aircraft Commander, Chief of Standardization/Evaluation, and Combat Crew Training School Instructor Pilot.

 

In 1993, Mr. Kim joined the Hawaii Air National Guard as a KC-135 pilot and progressed to Commander of the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron, Commander of the 154th Operations Group, Vice Commander of the 154th Wing, and Wing Commander of the 154th Wing.  Mr. Kim's strong organizational and leadership skills as Wing Commander allowed him to effectively manage the operations, strategic planning, resources, facilities, and family support for the more than 1,950 Guard members and workers of the 154th Wing, the largest Wing in the Air National Guard.  Additionally, Mr. Kim's leadership skills have been proven through his work as chair of the Financial Management Board, which oversees fiscal and human resource management for the entire Hawaii Air National Guard.

 

Mr. Kim brings to the Department of Taxation the experience of a war veteran, having served in the Kosovo Campaign and other overseas tours, and over thirty years of strong leadership and management experience.  He has been described as a talented leader, a critical thinker, an effective organizer, an inspiration to co-workers and subordinates, extremely intelligent, hardworking, engaging, helpful, and collaborative.

 

Your Committee finds that Joseph Kim is qualified and able to serve as the Deputy Director of Taxation.  Consequently, your Committee supports his confirmation as the Deputy Director of Taxation.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair