SSCR1937

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1937

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 636, 637, 643

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 636, 637, and 643, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Community Based Economic Development Advisory Council

G.M. No. 636

KAREN BARR,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023;

G.M. No. 637

KAREN BARR,

for a term to expire 06-30-2027; and

G.M. No. 643

TEENA RASMUSSEN,

for a term to expire 06-30-2027,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Karen Barr and Teena Rasmussen for service on the Community Based Economic Development Advisory Council.

KAREN BARR

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nominations for the appointment and reappointment of Karen Barr from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nominations for the appointment and reappointment of Karen Barr from one individual. Your Committee notes that the testimony submitted in opposition to this nominee contained no substantive information or commentary relating to her appointment or reappointment.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Barr's knowledge, experience, and desire to serve the community qualify her for appointment and reappointment to the Community Based Economic Development Advisory Council. Your Committee notes that Ms. Barr has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science from Washington State University. Ms. Barr currently works as an Entrepreneurship Specialist for the Pacific Gateway Center, where she provides business coaching and technical assistance for startups and early-stage or struggling small businesses to help them improve their business. Ms. Barr also previously worked as a Marketing Director for Wedding Estates Hawaii, Public Affairs Associate for the McClellan Group, LLC; Sales associate for State Farm Insurance; and in various sales and account management rules. Your Committee further notes that Ms. Barr is an active member of several community organizations, such as the Rotary Club of Kahala Sunrise, Wahine Build, Dry Tikes and Wet Wipes, Moku‘aina A Wakinekona Hawaiian Civic Club, and Women United. Your Committee believes that Ms. Barr's diverse work experience, business development knowledge, and commitment to public service will benefit the Community Based Economic Development Advisory Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Karen Barr be appointed and reappointed to the Community Based Economic Development Advisory Council.

TEENA RASMUSSEN

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Teena Rasmussen from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Teena Rasmussen from one individual. Your Committee notes that the testimony submitted in opposition to this nominee contained no substantive information or commentary relating to her appointment.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Rasmussen's background, experience, and commitment to public service qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Community Based Economic Development Advisory Council. Ms. Rasmussen is the founding partner of Skog Rasmussen, LLC, which helps tailor and provide a range of community and economic development solutions for businesses. Ms. Rasmussen previously worked as the Director of the Maui County Mayor's Office of Economic Development for eight years where she helped establish the Small Business Revitalization Grant Program and founded multiple conferences and festivals to promote small businesses. Ms. Rasmussen was also the Co-Owner and Vice President of Paradise Flower Farms, Inc, which operated for nearly forty years. Your Committee notes that Ms. Rasmussen has further served in various capacities as a public servant. Ms. Rasmussen has served the Farm Service Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, the Agribusiness Development Corporation of the State of Hawaii, and on the Small Business Administration Regional Advisory Board. Ms. Rasmussen has also served on the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, Haleakala Waldorf School's Board of Directors, and the Maui Community College Provost Advisory Board. Ms. Rasmussen has also served several non-profits in the State, including Tri Agency: Maui Youth and Family Services, Aloha House, and Malama Family Recovery and Maui United Way. Ms. Rasmussen has served on the Community Based Economic Development Advisory Council since 2021 and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the Advisory Council's members. Your Committee believes that Ms. Rasmussen's wealth of experience in the public and private sectors will be great assets to the Community Based Economic Development Advisory Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Teena Rasmussen be appointed to the Community Based Economic Development Advisory Council based on her background, knowledge, and dedication to public service.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

____________________________

LYNN DECOITE, Chair