GOVERNOR LINGLE NAMES MARIE LADERTA AS INTERIM HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
For Immediate Release: July 19, 2005
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has named Marie Laderta as interim director of the state Department of Human Resources Development. Laderta, who has served as deputy tax director since June 2003, will replace Kathleen Watanabe, who the Governor appointed and the Senate confirmed to serve as circuit court judge for the island of Kaua`i.
“For the past two years, Marie has made outstanding contributions to our Administration’s continuing efforts to improve the efficiency and quality of government services,” said Governor Lingle. “I have every confidence that Marie will apply these same managerial and organizational skills in ensuring our state employees have the tools, resources and support they need to carry out their responsibilities in serving the public.”
“I want to wish Judge Designee Watanabe the very best as she starts her new career on the Circuit Court bench,” said Governor Lingle. “Kathy has been a valuable member of my cabinet, and I appreciate the work she has done on behalf of our state employees and the public. I am saddened to see her leave our Administration, but am grateful that our state will continue to benefit from Kathy’s public service.”
As the administrator of the state’s human resources program for civil service employees, Laderta will oversee the department’s classification and compensation plans, recruiting, employee benefits, safety and workers compensation. She will also coordinate the labor-management relations and manager-employee performance programs.
Prior to joining the Department of Taxation, Laderta served as the supervising deputy attorney general in the Tort Litigation Division for the State of Hawai`i.
Throughout her career, Laderta has earned a strong reputation for her ability to work constructively with different groups, as well as her skill in settlement negotiation, arbitration and mediation. In 2002, she was recognized as part of the State’s Incentive and Service Awards Program when she was named winner of the Sustained Superior Performance Award.
Laderta graduated from Maryknoll High School, Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and John Marshall Law School in Chicago. She also attended the East China Institute of Law & Politics in Shanghai, China.
Laderta will begin her new position on August 17, the same day Watanabe will be sworn in as Circuit Court Judge for the 5th Circuit. Laderta’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
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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
