Former Editor of Maui Island Guide named Acting Director of Commerce Department

The former editor for the Maui Island Guide magazine, Ron Boyer, was named Acting Director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA).  Governor Linda Lingle also named Rod Maile as the deputy director of the department.

Boyer will replace Larry Reifurth, who will be sworn in tomorrow as an associate judge on the Intermediate Court of Appeals.  Boyer will serve as acting director until an interim director is named or until May 10, 2010, whichever occurs first.

Prior to joining DCCA in July 2007 as deputy director, Boyer served as a policy analyst in the Governor’s office, where he examined policy issues for the Governor and various state departments, including DCCA.  He previously served as senior advisor for former Honolulu Councilmembers John Henry Felix and Mike Gabbard.  He also was office manager for former State Rep. Cam Cavasso.

Boyer is a former senior editor for the publishing company Horizons Hawai‘i, Inc., where he edited two monthly magazines, Maui Island Guide and Hawai‘i Island Guide.

A graduate of the University of Hawai‘i, Boyer also served in the U.S. Air Force in the 1^st Combat Evaluation Group in Shreveport, Louisiana, and the 548^th Reconnaissance Technical Group at Hickam Air Force Base.  He received the Air Force Commendation Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

Deputy Director Rod Maile has been with DCCA for almost 30 years.  He currently serves as senior hearings officer in the Office of Administrative Hearings.  He has also served as a staff attorney for the DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection and the Regulated Industries Complaints Office.  In 2008, Maile served for four months as interim executive officer for the State Land Use Commission.  Prior to joining DCCA, Maile was a deputy public defender.

Maile received his law and undergraduate degrees from the University of Hawai‘i.

“I appreciate Ron and Rod stepping up their leadership roles to ensure the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs continues to serve as a strong advocate for Hawai‘i’s consumers, while also helping Hawai‘i’s businesses succeed,” said Lingle.

(Information / placeholder image: courtesy Office of the Governor, State of Hawaii)