GOVERNOR GREEN ANNOUNCES SEVEN ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENTS INCLUDING THE STATE’S FIRST DIRECTOR OF WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE

Office of the Governor Press Release, Dec 29, 2022

HONOLULU, HI – Gov. Josh Green, M.D. announced today a third round of nominees to serve as Director and/or Deputy Directors and other appointed positions for state departments.

“These exceptional and experienced individuals will work to advance our community’s quality of life, sustainably develop our economy, and modernize our systems to increase government efficiency and cross-collaboration. I am confident that today’s nominees and appointments will serve the people of Hawaiʻi wholeheartedly and hit the ground running to produce these promised results,” said Gov. Green.

Appointments:

Tia Roberts Hartsock, Director of the Office of Wellness and Resilience

Hartsock previously served as the Project Director of a federal Substance Abuse, Mental Health Services Administration initiative, Data to Wisdom, within the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health. In that capacity, she helped develop and provide mental health services for adolescent female trauma survivors involved in the juvenile justice, mental health and/or child welfare systems. Hartsock also had an appointment as an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Hawaiʻi’s School of Social Work since 2017. With over 20 years of experience in mental health and criminal justice systems, she will serve as the state’s first Director of Wellness and Resilience.

Mark Glick, State Energy Officer

Glick leverages his 17 years of managing energy and economic development projects through his positions as the Chair of the Hawaiʻi Energy Policy Forum, Specialist on Energy Policy and Innovation, Administrator of the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, and the Director of Economic Development at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. With his extensive experience of supporting and facilitating energy transitions and decarbonization efforts in Hawaiʻi, he will continue to make significant progress towards achieving the state’s clean energy economy goals.

Doug Murdock, Chief Information Officer

Murdock is returning as the Chief Information Officer (CIO), a role he has held since 2019. He has overseen some of the state’s largest technology initiatives, launching the successful effort to modernize the antiquated payroll and tax systems. As CIO, his priorities include continuing the efforts to modernize the enterprise resource planning system, enterprise portfolio management, and workforce development.

Ryan Yamane, Deputy of the Department of Human Resources Development

Yamane is an experienced and dynamic leader with a background as state Representative of District 37 and as a Clinical Director at Ho‘okūpono. As a Representative from 2004, he has chaired various committees including the Health, Human Services, & Homelessness, working to address the various labor and training issues each department faced. With this deep understanding, Yamane will ensure the improvement of the hiring process to expeditiously fill vacancies with dedicated individuals.

Morris Atta, Deputy to the Chair for the Department of Agriculture

Atta will continue in his role as the Deputy Director of the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture. Prior to holding this position, Atta served as the agriculture land program manager/administrator.

Jimmy Tokioka, Deputy of the Department of Transportation – Airports Division

Tokioka served as a state Representative for District 15 and 16, and on the Kauaʻi County Council for 10 years. Tokioka was a member of the Joint Task Force to conduct reviews of the state Highway Fund and Bureau of Conveyances committee. Throughout his 20 years in public service, Tokioka gained intimate background knowledge of the workings of the state and will contribute to a strong team that’s passionate about producing and maintaining quality infrastructure.

Meoh-Leng Silliman, Deputy Comptroller for the Department of Accounting and General Services

Silliman will continue in her role as Deputy Comptroller for the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS). Silliman has over 15 years of state experience, of which over 12 years were in the capacity of Business Management Officer at the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and DAGS respectively.

###

CB: Reps. James Tokioka of HD16 Kauai and Ryan Yamane of HD37 Mililani will resign their seats in the Legislature and start in their new positions next week.  Green will then have 60 days to appoint their replacements. Democratic Party officials will nominate three candidates from each of their districts and forward those names to Green for his consideration.  

SA: Gov. Josh Green announces 7 more appointments  

HNN: The two have a combined 33 years of service in the House.

HNN: Long-time mental health expert named new state director for trauma care

TGI: Kaua‘i Representative Jimmy Tokioka leaves statehouse to work for Green administration