John Isobe is joining the administration of Mayor Bryan Baptiste as the Deputy Director of Finance as of Sept. 16. Isobe has worked as a research analyst in the County Attorney’s office as well as a legislative analyst and the
John Isobe is joining the administration of Mayor Bryan Baptiste as the Deputy Director of Finance as of Sept. 16.
Isobe has worked as a research analyst in the County Attorney’s office as well as a legislative analyst and the Administrative Assistant for the County Council.
From 1984 to 1991, Isobe was the Council Services Administrator, acting as the Council’s principal liaison and working with the Council in areas such as the County’s annual operating and capital budgets, land use zoning and County legislative and policy decisions.
Later, Isobe served as the Director of Real Estate and Development for the Princeville Corporation where he was responsible for achieving the division’s annual operational and financial objectives.
He oversaw the administration and operations of the division, including areas such as Land and Property Management, Land Use Planning and Development, and Community and Government Relations.
He subsequently served as the President and Chief Operating Officer for the Kaua‘i Economic Development Board.
Isobe was most recently the Interim Director in the Office of Continuing Education at Kaua‘i Community College where he was responsible for the administrative and fiscal oversight of the non-credit business, workforce development, apprenticeship and international education programs.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from the University of Hawai‘i.
Isobe is active in the community, working with the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, Kaua‘i North Shore Business Council, Kaua‘i Business Council and Kaua‘i Workforce Investment Board.
He resides in Wailua Homesteads.
Eric Knutzen, who has served as the Deputy Director of Finance since January 2003, is now the Information Technology division head for the county.
Knutzen’s background in information technology and his enthusiasm for technological advancement for the County made him a perfect candidate for the position, said Michael Tresler, the county director of finance.
Knutzen holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and an MBA with a focus on Information Technology and Japanese project leadership.
He founded and served as CEO and Chairman of an international Information Technology consulting company, with headquarters in Europe and offices in Shanghai and Honolulu.
