GOVERNOR APPOINTS ABBEY MAYER AS DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF PLANNING
For Immediate Release: January 15, 2008
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has appointed Abbey Seth Mayer, a community-based planner on Moloka‘i, to serve as director of the state Office of Planning. His appointment is subject to confirmation by the State Senate.
“Abbey has a strong background in strategic, long-range, community-based planning and he understands the importance of balancing economic growth and development with protecting our natural and cultural resources,” said Governor Lingle. “His experience will help our Administration continue to move forward on key initiatives such as coastal zone management and the Leeward Coast Initiative.”
The Office of Planning assists the Governor in maintaining an overall framework to guide development in Hawai‘i. It provides for the wise use of Hawai‘i's resources in a coordinated, efficient, and economic manner, including the conservation of natural, environmental, recreational, scenic, historic, and other limited resources. The Office of Planning represents the state in hearings before the Land Use Commission and assists other state agencies in planning and development. It also facilitates intergovernmental coordination, working closely with the counties and federal agencies.
“I am extremely excited about working with Governor Lingle and her Administration to meet the needs of Hawai‘i’s people and future generations through statewide, collaborative, long-range and strategic planning efforts,” said Mayer. “I am fully committed to protecting the environmental and cultural resources that are so unique to this state, while carefully planning for our continued economic well-being. I am honored to be entrusted with such great responsibility and I thank the Governor for her confidence in my abilities in these matters.”
Mayer is currently the executive director for Ke Aupuni Lokahi, the Moloka‘i Enterprise Community (MEC). The MEC is part of the federal U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Empowerment Zone / Enterprise Community Program, which assists economically depressed regions through federal funding and community-based planning and development projects. Mayer serves as the lead project coordinator for 22 community-based priority projects that fall under the Moloka‘i Enterprise Community.
Prior to joining the MEC in 2006, Mayer was executive director and plant manager for the Moloka‘i Livestock Cooperative. In this capacity, he managed and oversaw the financial and operational responsibilities for the cooperative, including developing a comprehensive business plan for the revitalization of the cattle industry on Moloka‘i.
Mayer previously was the resident manager and contractor for the Eddy Foundation, Black Kettle Farm, a private land trust in Essex, New York. He also served as foreman and brokerage manager for Dutch Wharf Boat Yard and Marina in Branford, Conn.
He has served as a guest lecturer on community-based planning for the University of Hawai‘i’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning.
A graduate of Yale University, Mayer recently completed the Executive Accounting Program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
Mayer replaces Laura H. Thielen, who was confirmed as director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. He starts his new position on February 20.
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For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043
