Business Etiquette Dinner
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Professional Community Members of Hilo
Below is a list of all community members that may be attending this event. We encourage you to read through them and find a few that you are interested in meeting.
Jacquelline (Jackie) De Luz Watanabe, MBA
President of Big Island Toyota
Jackie De Luz Watanabe, MBA is the President of Big Island Toyota, an automotive dealership with three locations in Hilo and Kona and a team of 125 employees. Born and raised on the Big Island, the daughter of a consummate sales person and a school teacher, she graduated from public school (Waiakea High).
She received her B.A. in Humanities from the University of Hawaii at West Oahu and eventually earned her M.B.A. from Ashford University. Big Island Toyota is a family business started by her father, entrepreneur David De Luz Sr., over 50 years ago. After working over 20 years as the Vice President of Human Resources and Risk Management, she became the company President after her father retired from the business in 2011. Jackie is active in the community serving on several boards of non-profits as well as volunteering her time to Junior Achievement of Hawaii Island, Society of Human Resource Management and the Hawaii Island United Way. With these organizations, she is passionate about going out into the community to connect with individuals to create awareness of workforce development and bringing the “real world” experience to students. She currently resides in Hilo with her daughter Grace, a high school student. She can be contacted at www.BigIslandToyota.com or at jdeluz@teamdeluz.com.
Keith G Marrack
AAMS Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
Born and raised in Hilo and Waimea, I am the 4th generation of my family in the islands. After graduating form HPA in 1989, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Stanford University and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. My work experience in environmental engineering, footwear development at Nike, teaching high school math, and coaching finally led me to becoming a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones in 2007, opening the firm's second branch office in Hilo. My wife, Sally is the Membership Coordinator at 'Imiloa Astronomy Center and we have two children attending E.B. DeSilva Elementary and Hilo Intermediate.
In addition to educating and helping my clients reach their financial goals, I make it a priority to get involved in the community. I am currently serving as a Director for the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, Commodore of the Hilo Yacht Club, and a member of two School Community Councils. Additionally I am a former President of the Rotary Club of South Hilo, past County Fair Chairman, and past President of the Big Island Chapter of the Hawaii Association of Public Accountants. In 2010 I was chosen to participate in the Pacific Century Fellows leadership training program for the state.
George Karvas, RPh
Faculty, DKICP
George H. Karvas graduated from Oregon State University in June of 1991 with a BS in Pharmacy. I've been a retail pharmacist for about 22 years here on the Big Island and the last 8 years as the Pharmacy Manager at Longs Drugs Punahele. I'm married to my beautiful wife Shelley for 22 years this coming May and we have two wonderful children Kevin who will be 21 and Candace who will be 18. Kevin attends UH Hilo and Candace is graduating senior from Christian Liberty Academy. I enjoy shoreline fishing and spending time with family and friends. I now have reached a season in my life when I want to give back of my time, talent, and treasures for all that's been given to me.
Tracey Niimi
Student Support Specialist, DKICP
Tracey Niimi was born and raised in Hilo where he graduated from UH Hilo's College of Business and Economics with a B.B.A., double majoring Business Administration and Accounting. Currently the Student Support Specialist at the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, Tracey is responsible for providing support to all DKICP's professional student organizations as well as assisting in the activities of the Office of Student Services. Outside of the college, Tracey owns and operates a local photography business with his beautiful wife, Danielle. Tracey currently serves as a board director for the Big Island Friends of the Drug Court and is a member of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, Y's Mens and Womens Club of Hilo, and past board director of the East Hawaii Kiwanis Club where he currently serves as a Kiwanis adviser for the Waiakea High School Key Club and UH Hilo Circle K Club.
Michael Hoskins, RPh
Mina Pharmacy
Ken Ooka, RPh
Safeway Pharmacy
Dayna Wong-Otis, RPh
KTA Pharmacy
Robert (Rob) M. Kelso, MBA
Executive Director, PISCES
Rob Kelso has served as the Executive Director at the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems since November of 2012. Kelso is a career civil servant, serving 37 years at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC), formerly holding a position as the NASA Shuttle Flight Director at NASA's famed Mission Control Center.
Kelso's career in flight operations spans 21 years, beginning in April of of 1981 as flight controller on STS-1. In February of 1988, Kelso was selected to the Flight Director "Class of 1988" following the Challenger disaster, which took the life of Hawaii's Ellison Onizuka. He directed 25 Space Shuttle missions during the 1980s and 1990s.
During his time in Flight Control, Kelso was instrumental in lauching Department of Defense (DoD) spacecraft aboard the Space Shuttle, beginning with overseeing the first DoD launch from Mission Control while Ellison Onizuka served as the Astronaut in the Shuttle cockpit in January 1985 for STS-51C. He also served as NASA's Mission Director, responsible for the launch and delivery of the Chandra X-Ray telescope, the last of the great NASA observatories sent into space by NASA.
After leaving the Flight Director Office at NASA JSC, Kelso served on JSC's senior staff as Deputy Director for Safety and Mission Assurance, responsible for directing safety and quality activities supporting manned space flight. One of Kelso's last roles at NASA was leading efforts to preserve and protect the Apollo lunar landing sites on the Moon.
Kelso has been the recipient of the NASA Outstanding Leaderships Medal, and NASA Exceptional Service Medal. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in physics, and a Master's in Business Administration.
Jaime Kon, RPh
Pharmacy Supervisor
Longs Drugs/CVS Caremark
Christina Mnatzaganian, RPh
Faculty, DKICP
Advisor, Phi Lambda Sigma
Dr. Mnatzaganian was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, where she completed a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and achieved her doctorate of pharmacy degree. She moved to Hawaii in 2011 for her residency and fell in love with the state. After completing her residency, she decided to make the move permanent and relocated to Hilo as a clinical faculty member at The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy. Her practice interests include diabetes (both juvenile and Type 2), women’s health, and various issues surrounding public health.
When not in clinic, Christina can be found at the beach snorkeling with turtles or hiking in the lush Big Island rainforests with her dog, Cookie.
Devan Aburamen, Vice President/Treasurer
Blane's Drive Inn, Manono Mini Mar, Freddy's Restaurant & Drive-In
Born and raised on the Big Island, Devan Aburamen, is a proud graduate of Waiakea High School and Linfield College in Oregon. He received his Bachelor's degree in accounting in 2008 and after college moved to Las Vegas where he worked as a Tax Accountant for 4 years, did a year of post-graduate work at UNLV, all while maintaining the books for his family's businesses here on the Big Island. About 2 years ago, Devan was brought back home to help with the businesses and is now the Vice-President of Blane's Drive Inn (4 locations around the Big Island), Freddy's Restaurant & Drive-In, and Manono Mini Mart.