GOVERNOR LINGLE APPOINTS EDWARD CRUICKSHANK AS VETERANS SERVICES DIRECTOR

For Immediate Release:  April 28, 2004

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has named Edward R. Cruickshank as the new director of the Office of Veterans Services (OVS), the principal state office responsible for the development and management of policies and programs related to veterans, as well as their dependents and survivors. Cruickshank replaces retired director Irwin Cockett Jr.  Cruickshank will start on Monday, May 3rd.

“The director’s role is important for ensuring the needs of our brave veterans and their families are properly met,” said Governor Lingle.  “With Ed’s military background, his private sector experience, and his extensive community involvement, Ed has the skills and knowledge needed to lead the Office of Veterans Services.”

Cruickshank has a 30-year military career, having served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1970, and in the Hawai`i Army National Guard from 1973 to 1997.  During his career, he served as brigade commander for the 29th Infantry Brigade, intelligence officer, disaster preparedness officer, battalion commander, and company commander with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam.  He was awarded two Bronze Stars for Valor, an Air Medal for combat assault under fire, a Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, a Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medals, and other awards.

Currently, Cruickshank is the director of sales and marketing for the Arcadia Retirement Residence in Makiki.  He also is the president of Dallas Hawai`i Investment, Inc., a Hawai`i-based real estate investment firm.  From 1996 to 1999, Cruickshank worked for First Hawaiian Bank as an assistant branch manager, business development officer, personal banker and sales manager.  He also worked for Bank of Hawai`i for 21 years, where he was a vice president and branch manager. 

Cruickshank is active in a number of organizations, including the Officer Reserve Association of the United States, National Guard Officer Association, Navy League Executive Bridge Committee, Civil Defense Commission, Small Business Hawai`i, Pearl Harbor Rotary Club, Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Norfolk Community Association, Elks Club, and Meals on Wheels.

Cruickshank earned graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Hawai`i and is a graduate of McKinley High School.

The Office of Veterans Services, which is housed in the State Department of Defense, acts as a liaison between the Governor and veteran organizations and also between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and individual veterans.  OVC’s objectives are to assist veterans in obtaining state and federal entitlements, to supply the latest information on veterans’ issues and to provide advice and support to veterans making the transition back into civilian life.  The OVC consists of the administrative and office services sections, the veterans services branch and the Hawai`i State Veterans Cemetery branch.

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For more information, contact:

Major General Robert Lee  
Adjutant General  
Phone: 733-4246

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: 586-7705

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone:  586-0043