Speaker Bios

Carl Bonham, Executive Director, Professor of Economics, UH Economic Research Organization
Dr. Bonham was a founding member of UHERO in 1997. His research interests, include macroeconomics, applied econometrics and forecasting, tourism economics and the Hawaii economy. His current research focuses on mixed frequency models for nowcasting inputs for UHERO’s quarterly Hawaii Forecasting System.  

Recent publications include, “Forecasting with Mixed-Frequency Factor Models in the Presence of Common Trends,” with Peter Fuleky in the Journal of Macroeconomic Dynamics, and “Estimating Demand Elasticites in Non-Stationary Panels: The Case of Hawaii Tourism,” with Peter Fuleky and Qianxue Zhao the Annals of Tourism Research. Dr. Bonham is a member of the State of Hawaii Council on Revenues.

Regina Ostergaard-Klem, PhD, Associate Professor of Environmental Science, Hawaii Pacific University
Ostergaard-Klem holds a PhD in Systems Analysis and Economics for Public Decision Making from The Johns Hopkins University. From 1994-1995, she was a Fulbright Scholar in Lodz, Poland. After completing graduate school, Ostergaard-Klem was a Science and Diplomacy Fellow with the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, DC. Prior to coming to HPU, she worked as an environmental policy advisor at the US Agency for International Development. There she managed urban environmental and energy projects throughout different regions of the world.

Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, Vice President Conservation Policy, Conservation International 
Before joining CI, Rodriquez was the Minister of Environment and Energy for the Republic of Costa Rica, where he was a pioneer in the development of payment for ecosystem services. A lawyer, politician and, above all a conservationist, Rodriguez held various political posts in Costa Rica, including Director of the National Parks Service. He is also founder and Board member of many environmental NGOs in Costa Rica, in addition to several tropical research institutes.

As a result of his passion and hard work, marine conservation is now being fully addressed for the first time in Costa Rica. In recognition of his contributions, he was honored as the first-ever recipient of the Global Ocean Conservation Award in 2005. In 2006, Rodriguez received the first annual Conservation Leadership Award from the Virginia-based Blue Moon Fund in a ceremony at the Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington, D.C.  The $150,000 award from the foundation recognized the significant advances made in both terrestrial and marine conservation during his years of service to the Costa Rican government.

Rich Wacker, President & CEO, American Savings Bank and Member, Hawaii Research & Innovation Team
Wacker joined ASB in 2010 and also serves as a director on the ASB Board. An active supporter in the community, he holds leadership positions in Hawaii, serving on several prominent boards including Child & Family Service (Chair); Hawaii Business Roundtable (Executive Committee); Chaminade University (Board of Regents); University of Hawaii—Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship; University of Hawaii Foundation (Vice-Chair); University of Hawaii—XLR8UH accelerator program and is a member of the Hawaii Bankers Association. 

Prior to joining ASB, he was Chairman of Korea Exchange Bank (KEB), the fifth largest Korean commercial bank. He joined KEB in 2004 as Chief Operating Officer, was appointed President & CEO in 2005, and also held the position of Chairman of the Board from 2007 through 2010. 

Wacker also enjoyed a 20-year career with General Electric (GE) where he was a company officer and held a wide range of senior leadership positions in the U.S. and Europe.