STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1542

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 287, 519, 520, 521

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Economic Development and Technology, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 287, 519, 520, and 521, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Commission

 

G.M. No. 287

TERILYNNE F. GORMAN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2012;

 

G.M. No. 519

LEONARD K. CHOW,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013;

 

G.M. No. 520

JAMES C. JENNINGS,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013; and

 

G.M. No. 521

SHERYL B. SEAMAN AIA, ASID, LEED AP,

for a term to expire 6-30-2013,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Terilynne F. Gorman, Leonard K. Chow, James C. Jennings, and Sheryl B. Seaman to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Commission.

 

     With the unprecedented tax revenue decreases in fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011, your Committee has questioned each of the nominees carefully to ensure each nominee's awareness of the conditions that currently face the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.  At a time when grants to performing arts, literary, and visual arts organizations are almost down to zero, each of the Commissioners will need to play a vital role in structuring a plan of action to develop new revenue sources, international alliances, and new public and private partnerships that will help Hawaii's culture and arts community weather the economic downturn projected over this biennium.  Fortunately, a number of the Commission nominees possess considerable experience in developing multinational business, arts and culture, and education initiatives.  Your Committee looks forward to examining the 2010 agenda for the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts as the new Commissioners begin their service on the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Commission.

 

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Terilynne F. Gorman was submitted by the Mayor of Maui County, the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Brazil Ministry of Culture, and one concerned individual.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Terilynne F. Gorman has obtained an extensive array of experiences in the area of culture and the arts.  Specifically, she has served as the Director of Marketing for performing art complexes in Maui and New Zealand for six years and as the Vice President of External Affairs for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for another six years.  She currently serves as the Vice President of Corporate Communications for Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc., in Maui.

 

     Your Committee finds that the experiences of Terilynne F. Gorman will help to bring more accountability to arts education programs in Hawaii and help to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture.

 

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Leonard K. Chow was submitted by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Merrill Lynch, and Tommy Toma Contractor, Inc.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Leonard K. Chow has served as a Board Member and Vice President of the Honolulu Academy of Arts Guild and the Hawaii Opera Theatre.  Mr. Chow has obtained valuable experiences in the area of fundraising for various culture and arts events.  In addition, Mr. Chow has accumulated numerous technical abilities and project management skills in successfully completing a plethora of projects during his career as an engineer.

 

     Your Committee finds that the experiences of Leonard K. Chow will help the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Commission successfully achieve their goals and implement new projects.

 

     Testimony in support of the nomination of James C. Jennings was submitted by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, WPP, the Law Office of Karen S. Baldwin, and five concerned individuals.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     James C. Jennings has obtained over thirty years of broad‑based public communications experiences primarily as an international public relations consultant and executive for a national program and a worldwide foundation.  Mr. Jennings has successfully held leadership positions that required expertise in strategic planning, media counseling, and developing public affairs campaigns.

 

     Your Committee finds that the professional experiences of James C. Jennings will help the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Commission to maximize its progress toward achieving their strategic plan and ensure that all programs of the Commission have an impact on each of the islands in the State.

 

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Sheryl B. Seaman was submitted by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, American Institute of Architects Hawaii State Council, Group 70 International, Hawaii Theatre Center, Halekulani Corporation, and Thompson Matheny Corporation.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Sheryl B. Seaman has more than thirty-six years of experience in architecture and interior design in Hawaii and Asia.  Ms. Seaman's work has earned her various professional accolades and awards in the area of designing resorts, commercial structures, and educational facilities.

 

     Your Committee finds that the professional experiences of Sheryl B. Seaman will help the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Commission raise awareness of and appreciation from the rest of the world for the culture and arts in Hawaii.  Ms. Seaman will also make significant contributions to the advancement of the Commission's strategic goals and mission.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Technology 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 Economic Development and Technology,

 

 

 

____________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair