Governor Announces Nominees for DLNR and Board of Education

Gov. David Ige has nominated Suzanne Case to lead the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

Case has worked with The Nature Conservancy for 28-years and served as its executive director since 2001, overseeing Hawai‘i operations spanning 16 preserves.  She also oversees the Palmyra Atoll nature preserve and research station in the Pacific Ocean.  Case was the first female student body president at Punahou School.  She earned a B.A. in History from Stanford University, and received her law degree from Hastings College of the Law, University of California, San Francisco.

Governor Ige says Case shares his vision of wise stewardship over Hawai‘i’s public conservation lands and waters.

“I am truly humbled at the prospect of serving Hawai’i as Chair of the Department of Land and Natural Resources and honored by the confidence Governor Ige expresses in me in putting my name forth as his nominee. I look forward to meeting with our senate leadership for their consideration of my confirmation,” said Case.

The governor also announced three nominees for the Board of Education, noting that it was the responsibility of the Board and Superintendent to manage and lead Hawai’i‘s public schools.

Gov. Ige has nominated Lance A. Mizumoto, Hubert Minn, and Maggie Cox to the Board.

Lance Mizumoto. Courtesy photo.

Mizumoto has 25 years of career experience with financial institutions in Hawai‘i.  He serves on the Chamber of Commerce Board and is a member of the Board of Regents at Chaminade University.

Minn has a rich history of service with the City and County of Honolulu and the state’s education system, including being a member of the Hawai‘i State Board of Education from 1974-1978 and 1978-1980.  Minn also worked as a teacher, mentor, and senior adviser in the public school system.

Cox is a former high school science teacher and principal, and has served two terms with the Board of Education.  She earned a bachelor’s degree from North Texas State University.

Gov. Ige said his chosen nominees share his core beliefs and values.

“They will be open, collaborative and represent the best values of Hawai’i in their Aloha for the students, teachers, principals and staff, and for each other. I am confident that under their leadership we will create a public school system of which we can all be truly proud,” he said.

Gov. Ige’s nominees are subject to Senate confirmation before taking office.