GOVERNOR LINGLE APPOINTS PAUL LOUIS VIERLING TO BOARD OF EDUCATION
For Immediate Release: May 6, 2005
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has appointed businessman Paul Louis Vierling to the Board of Education (BOE) to fill the Windward O`ahu seat vacated by Laura Thielen, who resigned last month to become director of the State Office of Planning. Vierling’s appointment takes effect immediately, and he will serve out the remainder of Thielen’s term, which ends in November 2006.
“I appreciate Governor Lingle’s confidence and I look forward to working with the BOE members and everyone at the DOE,” said Vierling. “I am passionate about my daughters’ education and have learned that the definition of ‘failure’ is the absence of ‘hope’. I will approach my efforts on the BOE with a spirit of hope that my legacy includes contributing to a high quality education for all students in Hawai`i.”
In 2002, Vierling moved to Windward O`ahu and chose Kailua because of the positive reputation of the schools in the area. One of his daughters attends Aikahi Elementary School, and another daughter will begin attending in 2007. Only one other BOE member, Chair Breene Harimoto, currently has a child enrolled in Hawai`i’s public school system.
Vierling is active in his school district’s Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and has served on its membership and legislative committees. He is also a member of the Hawai`i State PTSA Board, where he serves as its community relations specialist and previously was its legislative liaison. In addition, he is a member of the Weighted Student Formula Committee, which was established by legislation passed last year to address problems in the operations of the state’s school system.
“As a concerned parent of a public school student, and as a volunteer with the Parent Teacher Student Association, Paul understands the challenges facing our public schools and what needs to be done to ensure every child has a quality education,” said Governor Lingle. “As a business consultant who helps companies improve their operations and their bottom line, Paul will be a tremendous asset to the Board of Education.”
Vierling is the owner of PMS, Inc., a Kailua-based business consulting company that assists businesses and non-profit organizations to realign their operations, improve customer service, and increase their accountability. He has run the company since 1989.
Previously, Vierling worked as a sales representative for Casey Printing; a commercial account manager for Kinko’s in Salinas, Calif.; general manager of Denny’s Inc. in Marina, Calif.; director of marketing for Shake Enterprise, a restaurant, hotel and activities company in Monterey, Calif.; director of public relations for ARA Living Centers in Reno, Nev.; area sales manager for Zee Medical, a first-aide safety products company in Sacramento, Calif.; and retail-wholesale manager for Mar-Val supermarket in Sacramento.
His community involvement includes serving as co-chair of the Windward O`ahu Rotary Club International, board member of the Association of Apartment Owners, and trustee with Windward United Church of Christ in Kailua.
Vierling attended University of Evansville in Indiana, Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nev., and the University of Reno.
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For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: 586-7708
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0043
