FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2013
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAWAII PROMOTES ONE
AND ADDS TWO STAFF MEMBERS
Staff Support Business Advocacy, Communications and Military Affairs
HONOLULU – The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii has promoted Pono Chong to vice president of business advocacy and announces the appointment of two new staff members – Lori Abe and Tracey Saiki – in support of its communications and marketing, and military affairs departments, respectively.
Chong joined the Chamber in January as director of business advocacy. He was recently promoted to vice president of business advocacy and development, responsible for developing and executing the Chamber’s business advocacy program and helping to represent the interests of business in legislative and regulatory matters. Additionally, he is responsible for developing initiatives to build business development opportunities for the Chamber’s member organizations. Chong has served in Hawaii state government for nearly 20 years, including eight years as a legislator with the Hawaii House of Representatives. He is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he earned his bachelor’s in international economics and education.
Abe was named vice president of communications & marketing responsible for developing and executing the Chamber’s strategies for communicating with its approximately 1,000 member organizations and the business community at large. Most recently, she served as senior vice president with Anthology Marketing Group in the firm’s public relations division of McNeil Wilson Communications. Her 26-year career in communications has included senior positions with organizations in Honolulu as well as on the mainland. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and marketing from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Saiki has joined the Chamber as director, military affairs program serving as a liaison and advocate for enhancing the relationships between businesses and the military in Hawaii through special events, support programs and partnership efforts. A 27-year military veteran, Saiki was a Lt. Col. in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, most recently serving as deputy director of public affairs. She received a bachelor’s in communications from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and earned leadership development, strategy and communication designations through several U.S. Air Force and defense schools.
As the leading “Voice of Business” in Hawaii, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is the state’s largest organization advocating for businesses in Hawaii. Established in 1850, the Chamber works on behalf of its approximately 1,000 member companies and the business community, as a whole, to advance the state’s economic climate and help businesses succeed. The Chamber supports its members with training, business building and networking opportunities; lobbies government and advocates on behalf of business interests; and serves as a liaison between civilian and military communities in Hawaii.
# # #
Contact: Lori Abe
808-545-4300
808-282-4398 (mobile)
labe@cochawaii.org