Business Leaders On The Move In Hawaii

October 13, 2010
By Alana Folen

Carol L. Higa has been promoted from vice president to senior vice president and manager in the Financial Services Commercial Banking Center for Bank of Hawaii. In this position, she is responsible for managing the Commercial Deposit Management Center, among other duties. Higa joined the bank as a management trainee in consumer loans and has more than 29 years of banking experience.

Vanessa J. Foster has been promoted from assistant vice president to vice president and compliance officer in the investment Services Department for Bank of Hawaii. She is responsible for approving new accounts, advertising, sales literature and communications. Foster joined the bank in 1989, working in various departments before joining Bankoh Investment Services in 1995.

Mark Hirae has been hired as loan manager for Hawaii Pacific Federal Credit Union. Hirae brings nearly 30 years of financial management experience and will oversee and manage the bank’s loan programs. Prior to joining Hawaii Pacific Federal, he worked at HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union for 20 years.

Sonnet Grant has been hired as a career coach and sales trainer for Prudential Locations. Prior to taking this new position, Grant successfully helped her clients with their Oahu real estate needs for the past six years as a sales professional.

Diane R. Peterson has been named regional manager of AAA Hawaii. Peterson began her AAA career four years ago with the Automobile Club of Southern California as manager of its Arcadia branch. She also was a member of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce board of directors for two terms, where she served on the Government Affairs Committee.

Andreina Keller has been hired as a marketing specialist for Prudential Locations, where she will be responsible for spearheading marketing programs and general advertising.

Matthew Emerson has been named vice president and Internet banking manager in the Online and Mobile Banking Department for Bank of Hawaii. Prior to joining Bank of Hawaii, Emerson spent nearly seven years working in San Francisco, most recently as vice president of strategic planning at Wells Fargo Bank. Emerson is now responsible for financial management and analysis, financial reporting, channel sales management, vendor management and operational implementation for the department.

Susan Murray has been appointed vice president of quality, service and safety for Kaiser Permanente Hawaii. Murray has been with Kaiser Permanente for eight years as hospital administrator, and is now responsible for developing programs and supporting performance in service, clinical quality and patient and employee safety, among other duties.