The Gas Company HONOLULU — The Gas Company announced four management appointments that are focused on enhancing gas service to customers throughout the state and recognize the uniqueness of Hawai‘i’s four counties, a news release states. The new organization design
The Gas Company
HONOLULU — The Gas Company announced four management appointments that are focused on enhancing gas service to customers throughout the state and recognize the uniqueness of Hawai‘i’s four counties, a news release states.
The new organization design creates a more responsive business model to help lower energy cost for heating water, cooking and drying clothes.
The four business unit leaders are Michael P. LaPorte (O‘ahu), Mustafa Demirbag (Maui), Marvin V. Min (Hawai‘i) and Glen H. Takenouchi (Kaua‘i). They report to Vice President–Operations Joseph J. Boivin Jr.
“These are proven leaders who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to their assignments,” said Jeffrey M. Kissel, president and CEO of The Gas Company. “Each has demonstrated strong leadership and business acumen, and we are confident that each will play an important role as we expand our commitment to providing our customers with safe and efficient gas energy in and for Hawai‘i.”
LaPorte has been appointed vice president–O‘ahu division. Prior to his appointment, LaPorte was TGC’s vice president and controller, a position he has held since 2006. LaPorte originally joined the company in 1985 working for the company’s petroleum operation. He has a depth of knowledge of the gas industry resulting from a 24-year career in the business. In his new role, LaPorte will oversee the O‘ahu Business Unit, which represents 59 percent of the company’s total statewide commercial and residential customer base. LaPorte will be responsible for all of O‘ahu’s operations, fleet maintenance, engineering, sales, customer care, purchasing/warehouse, and direct a workforce of approximately 120 employees.
Demirbag has been appointed general manager–Maui, which also includes oversight of gas operations for the Islands of Moloka‘i and Lana‘i. Demirbag has been with TGC since 1994 when he joined the company as an operations superintendent. Prior to his appointment, he was Maui County branch manager responsible for operations, customer service and community relations.
Min has been appointed general manager–Hawai‘is, which includes oversight of both East and West Hawai‘i regions. Prior to his appointment, Min was branch manager–East Hawai‘i responsible for the branch’s day-to-day operations, customer service and business office activities. Min joined the company in 1985 as a gas and alternative energy sales representative specializing in solar water heating systems for the East Hawai‘i Region, which includes Hilo and spans from Honokaa to Milolii on the Big Island of Hawai‘i.
Takenouchi has been named general manager–Kaua‘i. Prior to his appointment, Takenouchi was Kaua‘i branch manager, a position he has held since joining the company in 1998. Prior to that, Takenouchi was an engineering supervisor with Kaua‘i Electric and a processing engineer with AMFAC Sugar on Kaua‘i. He holds a B.S. in general engineering-engineering management from the University of Hawai‘i . He is active in the Kaua‘i Business community as a board member of the Kaua‘i Developer’s Council, member of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, and the Kaua‘i affiliate of the Hawai‘i Hotel and Lodging Association. He also serves on the Leadership Council of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.
The Gas Company has been in business since 1904 and has a workforce of 300 professionals. The company manufactures synthetic natural gas at its 16.7 million-cubic-foot-capacity plant located on O‘ahu and supplies SNG through a 1,100-mile pipeline network, and supplies propane gas statewide. TGC is developing technology to further reduce its carbon footprint by incorporating domestically produced, renewable alternatives to petroleum for gas supply in Hawai‘i, the release says.
