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Imada Iboshi appointed as DBEDT deputy director

MEDIA RELEASE

Gov. Linda Lingle has appointed the state’s economist and Hilo High School graduate, Pearl Imada Iboshi, to serve as deputy director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT).

Imada Iboshi has served as the state’s economist since 1995 and has been a member of the Council on Revenues since 1997. She also heads DBEDT’s Research and Economic Analysis Division, which produces and distributes business information products including the state Data Book, census information through its state Data Center and economic and tourism research reports geared to business users.

During the 2003-2004 legislative session, Imada Iboshi served as deputy policy advisor to Lingle.

Prior to joining DBEDT, Imada Iboshi worked as a research fellow at the East-West Center specializing in international trade and economic development of Southeast Asia.

After Hilo High School, Imada Iboshi received her bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College in Iowa, master’s degree from Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo, and Ph.D. in economics from the University of Hawaii.

Imada Iboshi will take over the deputy director post from Mark Anderson, who will focus full time on serving as the state’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) coordinator. Since the passage of the ARRA by the U.S. Congress last February, Anderson has been working with the federal government, Hawaii’s Congressional delegation, and state and county agencies to oversee the federal stimulus funds for the state, including identifying available ARRA funds, coordinating applications and tracking spending of the funds.

“Having Pearl as a member of DBEDT’s leadership team will enable the department to continue its focus on strengthening our economy, attracting investments in emerging industries and developing business opportunities for local companies,” Lingle said.

“I have worked closely with Pearl throughout the past seven years and she has proven to be a valuable advisor and asset to my Administration as well as a respected leader in our community,” Lingle said. “This transition will also allow Mark to concentrate his efforts on ensuring that Hawaii maximizes all opportunities to obtain and implement federal stimulus funds to help in our economic recovery and to create jobs for our residents.”

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