Board of Trustees

Blaine Gemeno is Vice President, Hawai‘i Area for Sause Bros., Inc. He is responsible for the overall management of the Hawai‘i business unit. He began his career with Chevron and worked in finance and supply chain optimization roles of increasing responsibility for over 15 years. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Oregon State University and an MBA from the University of Hawai‘i  at Mānoa. He currently serves as the Treasurer for the Hawai‘i Harbors Users Group.

Ricky Ching has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Hawaii National Bank since May 2016, where he oversees the finance, accounting, business analytics, IT, property management and security departments. He has more than 20 years of experience in accounting and financial management, joining Hawaii National Bank in 2006. Prior to being appointed CFO, he served as the bank’s Vice President and Controller. He previously worked as Manager of Finance and Business Affairs at University Clinical, Education & Research Associates and as a Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from Santa Clara University in California and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Cord Anderson is Vice President of Development at Ward Village for Howard Hughes Co. In the industry for more than 20 years, his professional career began working for his family’s development company which focused on commercial centers, agricultural zoned subdivisions, restaurants and hotels. Originally from the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, Mr. Anderson attended ʻIolani School in Honolulu, then went onto Santa Clara University to major in Economics. For the last 10 years, Cord served on the Honolulu City & County’s Planning Commission. He coaches Varsity basketball at ‘Iolani School.

Donne Dawson serves as the Hawai‘i State Film Commissioner, heading the office that provides coordination for all film and photographic use of state-administered parks, beaches, highways and facilities. The Hawai‘i Film Office also facilitates film permitting and locations support for the state’s expansive jurisdiction across the Hawaiian Islands.  Ms. Dawson manages Hawaii’s refundable production tax credit program and oversees the Hawai‘i Film Studio at Diamond Head.  She works as an advocate for filmmakers and the film industry and promotes Hawai‘i as a world-class filming destination.  Donne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies from California State University-Sacramento.

The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort Nicole Okuna is the General Manager for the historic The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort in Waikīkī. She was previously the Resident Manager and operations leader for the historic Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort and Spa. Other hospitality work has included Director of Sales and Marketing of the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort and Account Director for the Sheraton Kona at Keauhou Bay. Mrs. Okuna holds a Master of Science in Travel Industry Management from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and a B.A. in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in mathematics from Pepperdine University. Her other community work includes serving on the Board of Directors for the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association and formerly served on the TIM Alumni Association and HLTA’s Kaua‘i Chapter of Hospitality’s Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs.