For Immediate Release: September 6, 2007
DBEDT Release News 07-22

HONOLULU--The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) has hired Georja Skinner to head its Creative Industries Division. The mission of this division is to maximize the economic opportunity of Hawai‘i's artistic, cultural and entertainment assets. She will officially start work on September 10, 2007.

A native of Hollywood, California and a Hawai‘i resident for 27 years, Skinner brings a wealth of experience to her new position. She founded Maui's first public relations firm, Skinner Communications in 1983 specializing in promotions, strategic planning and production for visitor industry clients. In 1994, Skinner was appointed as film industry development specialist to develop the infrastructure, assets and resources for Maui County's first film office.

In 1999, seeing a need for more hands-on education in the emerging digital media arts for Hawai‘i students, Skinner formed an alliance with the USC School of Cinema Television and in 2001 created the not-for-profit organization Hawai‘i Filmmakers Initiative, which presented an annual five-week intensive summer school for aspiring filmmakers and animators. The program trained over 100 students, many whom have gone on to careers in film, television and the digital arts.

"Georja will be a great addition to our team," said Ted Liu, director of DBEDT. "She has extensive background in the arts and entertainment industry working with an impressive list of clients and projects. She also has a real passion for the economic potential of Hawai‘i's artistic community."

Some of Skinner's recent accomplishments include arranging for the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" to feature the Maui Writers Conference; creating the original Hawai‘i-based radio series "Living Aloha" (Lime/Sirius Satellite Network/Kapalua Resort), and the recent integration and placement of the Big Island's Kona Deep(r) brand deep sea drinking water in Warner Bros. feature film "Ocean's Thirteen."

An Emmy nominee, Skinner was also recognized as the first female sound mixer in primetime network television and the first woman to be nominated for an Emmy in that category. Her shows included "All In the Family," "The Jefferson's," "One Day at A Time," "Fernwood 2 Night," "Sanford & Son," as well as numerous television specials.

Working with Academy Award and Emmy Award winning writer/producers, such as Aaron Sorkin, Michael Tolkin, and the team of Andy Schneider and Diane Frolov, Skinner has been instrumental in helping develop several series and feature film projects. Her work with Hawai‘i's music industry, including Hoku Award winning artists, Hapa, Henry Ka‘aihui Kapono, Keali‘i Reichel and Grammy Award winners Kenny Loggins and George Kahumoku, Jr. have resulted in a number of collaborative projects.

A published author, Skinner's first book, "The Christmas House: How One Man's Dream Changed the Way We Celebrate Christmas" (New World Library), was released in 2005 and was recently optioned by the Wolper Organization/Warner Bros., who will develop the project as a holiday movie for television.

Skinner was awarded the Na Mele O Maui Honoapi‘ilani Award for her community service, earned an ITVA Television Production Award and was a founding member of the Hawai‘i Film and Entertainment Board. She is currently a member of Producers Guild of America and Women In Film and has served as Maui Commissioner on the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

For more information, contact:
Ted Liu
Director - Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism
Phone: (808) 586-2355