Gas Co. CEO steps down The Gas Co. announced last week that President and CEO Jim Yates will step down Aug. 31 after 12 years with the firm. Yates will continue with the company as a member of its board
Gas Co. CEO steps down
The Gas Co. announced last week that President and CEO Jim Yates will step down Aug. 31 after 12 years with the firm. Yates will continue with the company as a member of its board of directors. Taking his place, Gas Co. Chief Financial Officer Tom Wellman will serve as interim president and CEO starting Sept. 1, until a permanent successor is identified. Macquarie Infrastructure Company, The Gas Co.’s parent company, will conduct a search for a successor, according to a company statement.
Yates began working with The Gas Co. in 1995 as vice president and general manager. He later became responsible for the Hawai‘i Energy division of Citizens Utilities Co., where he oversaw both The Gas Co. and Kauai Electric. Prior to joining The Gas Co., Yates held a variety of positions in oil and gas exploration and production with BHP Petroleum.
The Gas Co. is Hawai‘i’s only full-service gas energy company for more than 100 years. Today, The Gas Co. has more than 300 employees, 1,000 miles of gas lines statewide, and provides gas energy and related services to 67,000 commercial and residential customers statewide.
North Shore council hosts networking event
The Kauai North Shore Business Council invites members of the North Shore business community to attend its general membership meeting at 5 p.m. Aug. 27, in the courtyard of the Kong Lung Shopping Center. The meeting will be an opportunity for local business owners to meet and network. In addition, current council members can gain exposure by displaying business cards and brochures at a membership resource table.
Food from Kilauea Bakery, Kauai North Shore Catering and the Lighthouse Bistro will be provided as well as water from Kauai Springs. Live music and door prizes will also be featured. Guest speaker Ken Stokes, executive director of The Kauaian Institute, will discuss eight economical ways that small businesses can go “green.”
Council membership is open to any person whose business is a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation interested in the North Shore’s economic well-being. The council is a nonprofit corporation, in operation since 1993. Its mission is to develop and promote a healthy economic and business climate on Kaua‘i’s North Shore. For more information, e-mail President Joel Guy at typaguy@yahoo.com or call 645-0968.
12 weeks of business training starts in Sept.
An entrepreneurial training program sponsored by the Hawai‘i Small Business Development Center Network begins at Kaua‘i Community College on Sept. 11, with registration closing on Sept. 1. The course called NxLevel Entrepreneurs is designed to train potential and existing business owners by offering a practical, condensed series of training sessions.
There are 12 sessions, which begin in September and run through December. Classes meet Tuesdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This course is intended for individuals with two or more years experience in business due to its fast pace.
Subjects to be covered include:
• How and when to start business planning
• Business organization
• Marketing opportunities
• Financials
• Funding
• Networking
The $499 course fee includes books and handouts as well as dinner and refreshments. Tuition assistance may be available to assist private employers. For more information, call Wayne Mukai at the Workforce Development Division Office at 274-3056. Scholarships are available for native Hawaiians. To inquire about them or register, call the Wai‘anae Business Center on O‘ahu at (808) 696-1970. NxLevel Entrepreneurs is offered in cooperation with the college’s Office of Continuing Education and Training.
(Editor’s note: This course is not to be confused with the one profiled in the adjacent article).
Class offered for tax and legal practitioners
Rob Lansdell, an Edward Jones financial advisor, will host a seminar on how to save for college on a tax-advantage basis at 8 a.m. on Aug. 29. The class is intended for CPA’s, tax professionals and attorneys. It is designed to help tax and legal practitioners advise their clients on how to reduce college costs, navigate financial aid and increase tax advantages. The class is three credit hours of continuing professional education for CPA’s and tax professionals.
Enrollment costs $60, and reservation is required. The class will be held at Lansdell’s office in Kalaheo. For more information, call 332-7469.
Upscale Lihu‘e salon adds staff
Lori Nichols Salon in Lihu‘e has added a new body-care line as well as staff. The Bella Spa line of products is natural and organic, using only natural preservatives and some fair-trade products as ingredients. Bella Spa also offers aromatherapy body lotions, oils, scrubs and facial care, all of which are customized by shop owner Lori Nichols according to the client’s specific needs.
“We keep you looking and feeling good, head to toe,” Nichols said in a press release.
Joining the shop are nail technician Soanina McClintic and Molly O’Rourke, a stylist new to Kaua‘i. McClintic uses hot stone therapy, hot oil and water manicures. Clients are able to pick an essential oil for their treatment. In addition, the salon’s “chi” nail polish has no formaldehyde and is non-toxic to the nail bed.
O’Rourke trained at Graham Webb Academy and has extensive experience in hair coloring, highlighting, low-lighting and glazing.
Lori Nichols Salon is located on Rice Street in the Lihu’e Professional Center. For more information, call 246-9000 or e-mail Nichols at stylegirl35@hotmail.com.
Po‘ipu resort association names officers
The Po‘ipu Beach Resort Association named the following individuals as board of directors officers at its July 19 meeting:
• President: Roy Thompson, Kiahuna Plantation Castle
• Vice President: Jonathan Parrish, Grantham Resorts
• Secretary: Dale Verkaaik, Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation
• Treasurer: Greg Kamm, Greg Kamm Planning & Management
New hires about town
The following individual was recently appointed to a leadership position in the business community:
• Robin Takara was named director for all non-perishable departments by Star Markets Ltd. Takara spent seven years as director of operations for Tamura Enterprises Inc. Prior to that, he was director of general merchandise/health and beauty care for Foodland Supermarkets Ltd. for 16 years.
