Governor Appoints Zielinski as DAGS Deputy Director

Governor Neil Abercrombie appointed Maria E. Zielinski as deputy director of the state Department of Accounting and General Services. Photo courtesy Office of the Governor, State of Hawai’i.

By Wendy Osher

Governor Neil Abercrombie today appointed Maria E. Zielinski as deputy director of the state Department of Accounting and General Services.

Zielinski, 59, served as the Accounting System Administrator for the County of Maui since 2010.

Budget and Finance Director Kalbert Young worked with Zielinski when he served as the finance director for the County of Maui.  Young will work with Zielinski again, as part of her new role involves overseeing the state’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

“Maria has a significant background as a finance executive and will be integral in our efforts to build up finance operations,” noted Young. “It will be good to have her on our team.”

Her other Hawai’i ties include service as the Chief Financial Officer for Haleakala Ranch and Haleakala Properties, Inc. as well as Chief Financial Officer of Baldwin Pacific Properties.

Her overall experience includes 30 years of financial management in non-profit, local government, banking, financial services, commercial property acquisition and development, labor union, agriculture and consumer food commodity production industries.  She also served as the Director and Chief Financial Officer for the California School Employees Association in the past.

“Maria is a great addition and will be an invaluable asset as we continue to transform the way state government runs its financial business,” said Gov. Abercrombie in a statement. “She has the right background and is highly recommended. I know my financial team and DAGS staff are eager to have her aboard.”

She is a certified public accountant in the State of New York and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Hawai’i Society of Certified Public Accountants, New York Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Government Financial Officers Association.

Zielinski’s official start date is September 4, 2012.