OHA Appoints Pezzulo Chief Executive Officer

Richard Pezzulo, Interium Chief Executive Officer, Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Photo courtesy of OHA.

By Sonia Isotov

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) yesterday announced the appointment of Operating Officer Richard Pezzulo to interim Chief Executive Officer.

The appointment takes effect Dec. 31 until a search for a permanent CEO concludes.

Clyde Nāmu'o, retired Chief Executive Officer, Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Photo courtesy of OHA.

In October, OHA’s Board of Trustees announced the search for a successor to OHA Chief Executive Officer Clyde W. Nämu‘o, who is retiring December 30 after more than 10 years in the top job at OHA.

Since November 2009, Pezzulo has been part of OHA’s executive team, serving as Chief Financial Officer before a promotion in March to Chief Operating Officer.

OHA is a state agency and trust that advocates for Native Hawaiians and is overseen by a 9-member Board of Trustees elected by voters statewide.