ALLAN SMITH NAMED INTERIM DIRECTOR OF DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

For Immediate Release:  May 1, 2007

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has appointed Allan A. Smith to serve as interim director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).  Smith will head the department and serve as interim chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) until the Governor names a permanent replacement for outgoing director Peter Young.  Last week Governor Lingle convened a 30-member search committee, which will be chaired by Young.

“I appreciate Allan’s willingness to step forward to serve as DLNR interim director as the search committee looks for a permanent director,” said Governor Lingle.  “Allan’s history of leadership experience in land management and agribusiness will ensure a seamless transition as DLNR continues to work with environmental, Hawaiian, cultural, business, and agricultural groups to protect, manage and enhance Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural resources.”

Smith, a native of Kaua‘i, is a retired senior vice president of Grove Farm Company, Inc.  He was responsible for the management of Grove Farm’s 40,000 acres on Kaua‘i and directed the company’s land development, construction and rock quarrying and crushing businesses.  He also administered the company’s agro-forestry and diversified agricultural leases, and oversaw Grove Farm’s commercial and industrial properties activities. 

Prior to joining Grove Farm in 1987, Smith worked for AMFAC, Inc. on Kaua‘i for 19 years, holding various positions with AMFAC subsidiaries, including field and irrigation superintendent for Lihu‘e Plantation Co. and mechanical operations manager for Kekaha Sugar Co.

A graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Hawai‘i.

Smith currently serves on the boards of various business and community organizations, including Kaua‘i Island Utilities Cooperative, Central Pacific Bank Advisory Board, Queen Emma Foundation (chair), Kaua‘i Farm Bureau, Contractors Association of Kaua‘i, Hale Opio, Inc., Boys and Girls Club of Kaua‘i and Lihu‘e Public Cemetery Association. 

He previously was involved with University of Hawai‘i Foundation’s Committee on Community Colleges, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Rural Economic Transition Assistance Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i General Plan Update 2000 Citizens Advisory Committee, Governor’s Task Force on Streamlining Land Use Applications Process for Housing Construction in Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, Kaua‘i Economic Development Board, Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Advisory Board, Mayor’s Task Force on Traffic, Wailua/Kapa‘a Development Plan Committee, Lihu‘e Airport Technical Advisory Committee, Kekaha Community Association, Hawaiian Sugar Technologists, Kamehameha Schools Association of Kaua‘i, School/Community-Based Management (SCBM) Task Force, Queen’s Medical Center, Queen’s Health Systems, and Queen’s Development Corp.

Governor Lingle also announced that Peter Young will serve in a vacant exempt position at DLNR.  His name will be sent Friday to the Water Commission to become interim water deputy.  Young will assist Smith with the director’s transition as well as assume some of the administrative responsibilities currently handled by deputy director Bob Masuda whose last day with DLNR is May 30.

View today's news conference on the Governor's Web site at http://www.hawaii.gov/gov/.

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For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043