Jody Kono Kjeldsen has a tough act to follow. Kjeldsen was named the new executive director of the Poipu Beach Resort Association this week. Kjeldsen succeeds outgoing Executive Director Margy Parker, who has managed the organization since its inception in
Jody Kono Kjeldsen has a tough act to follow. Kjeldsen was named the new executive director of the Poipu Beach Resort Association this week.
Kjeldsen succeeds outgoing Executive Director Margy Parker, who has managed the organization since its inception in the fall of 1982.
Kjeldsen will begin her new job Aug. 9, according to Poipu Beach Resort Association (PBRA) President Edgar Gum.
Parker, highly respected for her contributions to Kauai’s tourism industry and community in general, and for helping to make Po‘ipu a recognizable destination for millions of Mainland visitors, is pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communications, according to Gum.
“I feel privileged to have the opportunity to represent PBRA as its executive director,” Kjeldsen said. “It is my goal to maintain the great work that Margy and her team have accomplished, marketing and promoting Kaua‘i’s South Shore.”
Parker called her decision to leave “one of the most difficult career decisions in my life. I invested so much of my time and thought and emotions and hopes in the job. I love my job.”
But, she added that she was fascinated by the field of communications, and how it impacts so many facets of modern life.
Parker said the timing is right. She said she always wanted to explore the ever-changing, ever-evolving world of communications, and this is her chance. She said she did not want to be someone who said “I’ll do it later” to potential changes in their lives, and never sought out a challenge when it presented itself.
She described her successor as “very bright, delightful, with strong qualifications.” Parker said the association has a very strong board of directors.
Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, said, “We are pleased to see Jody Kono Kjeldsen will be returning to Kaua‘i to share her marketing experience with the Poipu Beach Resort Association (PBRA). We have worked very closely with Margy Parker and PBRA in the past, and look forward to working with Jody in her new position in the future.”
Kanoho hailed Parker’s contribution to Kaua‘i tourism-promotion efforts over the past two decades.
“Margy Parker has been a champion of tourism for Kaua‘i, as well as an important cornerstone to our community, for many years,” Kanoho said. “Margy will be missed while she takes this time to expand her horizons, but we know she’ll be back on Kaua‘i someday to again share her wisdom and marketing expertise,” Kanoho said.
Parker leaves a lasting legacy.
“I feel really proud of the stewardship of the South Shore, the new roads and landscaping. I’m also proud of the innovations in our marketing program. There were a lot of firsts. I’m very proud of that,” she said.
She said this passing of the torch was the next phase for PBRA, and that Kjeldsen will bring “some new ideas and fresh thoughts.”
Parker said she will be retained by PBRA leaders to provide support services to Kjeldsen into 2006.
Kjeldsen will manage the 160-member organization, along with a staff of two, including an administrative manager and office assistant. Born and raised on Kaua‘i, but residing on O‘ahu for the past eight years, Kjeldsen has a strong marketing background.
For the past two and a half years, she has been the marketing manager of the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu.
She also held the position of national sales manager for the convention center from 1997 to 2003.
Prior to moving to O‘ahu in 1997, Kjeldsen was employed by Grove Farm Land Corporation as marketing manager for Kukui Grove Center, from 1993 to 1997.
She was also a visual merchandiser for Banana Republic, a clothing-store chain.
According to Gum, “our board of directors looks forward to having an executive director with exceptional visitor-industry marketing skills, along with such a deep knowledge of Kaua‘i and of the Po‘ipu area.”
Gum is general manager of Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club.
Poipu Beach Resort Association members and friends will say farewell to Parker and hello to Kjeldsen and other new staff Thursday, July 14, at an afternoon event at the Sheraton Kauai Resort in Po‘ipu. For more information, please call the PBRA office, 742-7444.
- Andy Gross, business editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or agross@pulitzer.net.
