STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1999

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 638

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 No. 638, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Hawai'i Technology Development Corporation

G.M. No. 638

MATTHEW SULLIVAN, for a term to expire 06-30-2027,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Matthew Sullivan for service on the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Matthew Sullivan from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, Oceanit, and seven individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Matthew Sullivan from one individual. Your Committee notes that the testimony submitted in opposition to this nominee contained no substantive information or commentary relating to his appointment.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Sullivan's experience, knowledge, and proven leadership qualify him for appointment to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Your Committee finds that Mr. Sullivan has worked in product design and technology for over a decade. Mr. Sullivan currently serves as the Director of Product at Oceanit since 2017, where he collaborated with Hawaiian Electric Company, Shell, and Chevron to commercialize advanced nanotechnology surface treatments to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the energy industry; secured $20,000,000 in grant funding for technology development with the United States Department of Energy and Department of Defense; and developed technology commercialization relationships with various industries and companies in a number of diverse fields, including battery storage, life sciences, industrial, and automotive. Mr. Sullivan also serves as the Chair of the Board of StoryTree, a start-up software company he co-founded in 2011 in Silicon Valley. Your Committee further notes that Mr. Sullivan has a Master of Science from the Stanford University Hasso Platter Institute of Design and also served as an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University where he taught Introduction to Product Design Fundamentals. Mr. Sullivan was also a Startup Mentor for 500 Startups in San Francisco, California, where he advised startups on product design and product strategy and how to pitch and raise money from investors. Your Committee believes that Mr. Sullivan's knowledge of the technology startup lifecycle and strong desire to create an environment for technology and entrepreneurship in the State will be assets to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Your Committee therefore recommends that Matthew Sullivan be appointed to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation based on his experience, knowledge, and proven leadership.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism 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 Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

____________________________

LYNN DECOITE, Chair