GOVERNOR LINGLE APPOINTS LINDA SMITH AS SENIOR ADVISOR OF POLICY

For Immediate Release:  October 8, 2003

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has appointed former city finance director and businesswoman Linda Smith to serve as her new senior advisor of policy.  Smith will assume the responsibilities currently handled by Randy Roth, who for the next year will focus his time and energy on the Governor’s top priority of reforming Hawai`i’s public education.

“My administration has been fortunate to have Randy to help us get off to a strong and effective start, and I am especially pleased that he has agreed to head up our education reform efforts for the coming year,” said Governor Lingle.  “I’m delighted to have Linda join our administration.  I’m confident she will bring the same level of excellence, enthusiasm and commitment as we head into our second legislative session,” said the Governor.

“With Randy’s guidance, we developed a comprehensive legislative package within just 50 days of taking office.  He led us to many victories, particularly in the areas of procurement reform, the new animal quarantine rules and the formation of Hawai`i Prescription Care,” the Governor added.

Roth has agreed to serve as senior advisor of education until next fall when he is scheduled to resume teaching at the University of Hawai`i School of Law.  He currently is on loan from the University.  Roth assisted the Governor in the formation of the Citizens to Achieve Reform in Education (CARE) committee, and he will continue to work closely with the CARE committee as it takes its reform ideas out into the community.

“I can hardly wait to focus exclusively on education,” said Roth.  “Our goal is for every student to feel like their school is the best school in the nation.”

Smith will join the Governor’s team of senior advisors, which includes Chief of Staff Bob Awana and Senior Advisor of Communications Lenny Klompus.  She is in the process of building a policy team and is working closely with Roth to ensure a smooth transition as the administration prepares its legislative agenda.  Smith’s new position will take effect on November 1.

“Linda has an exemplary understanding of fiscal management and discipline, is experienced in forming local and national public policy, and knows the challenges facing our business community,” said the Governor.  “With Linda’s public and private sector background, I know we will be effective in our continuing efforts to expand the economy through the creation of better paying jobs, improve health care for all residents, and reduce crime and illicit drug use in our state.”

“This is one of the most exciting times in Hawai`i’s history in terms of setting our state on the right course for the future,” said Smith.  “I am honored to return to public service and to help Governor Lingle and her cabinet to develop policy and legislation that will improve how government serves the people, and to ultimately make life better for all residents of our state.”

Smith owned and managed Pacific Allied Products Ltd., a diversified plastics manufacturing company in Kapolei from 1989 until selling the business earlier this year.

Prior to that, she was director of finance for the City and County of Honolulu where she managed an annual budget of $900 million in operations and capital improvement.  She oversaw the city’s Department of Finance, which included 512 employees and was responsible for all municipal purchasing, contracting, accounting, auditing, cash management, investments, tax collections, real property tax assessments, and risk management and insurance functions. 

She also was director of data processing for the Navy Data Automation Command and Submarine Base at Pearl Harbor.  In that position, Smith was responsible for providing diversified data processing services to the Department of Defense commands throughout the Pacific Region.

Smith served under Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan as director of administration for the President’s Office of Management and Budget, the office that advises the President on national fiscal policy.

Before serving in the White House, Smith was a special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation as well as to the chairman of the Budget Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Smith is a member and former deacon of the Community Church of Honolulu; chairman of the board of directors of the Tax Foundation of Hawai`i; past board member of the American Red Cross Hawai`i Chapter; charter member of Federal Senior Executive Services; and treasurer of the Hawai`i Republican Party. 

Smith is a graduate of Occidental College and the Maxwell Graduate School at Syracuse University. 

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For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus 
Senior Advisor – Communications 
Phone: 586-7705

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone:  586-0043