State briefs for Sept. 15: State welcomes individuals into leadership roles
DLNR selects new Forestry and Wildlife Administrator
Marigold Zoll has been selected to lead the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife. With a staff of more than 200 professionals from various fields and backgrounds, Marigold Zoll has been selected to oversee Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s ongoing efforts to care for more than one million acres of state lands.
The Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) has a staff of more than 200 professionals from various fields and backgrounds who oversee 57 forest reserves, 23 natural area reserves, 46 wildlife sanctuaries, precious forested watersheds, as well as 855 miles of public access trails to hunting and recreation areas statewide.
According to the Board of Land and Natural Resources Chairperson Ryan Kanakaʻole, this is one of the biggest jobs at the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Zoll has already made a fast start.
“Marigold knows DOFAW, its people and the work DLNR does across Hawaiʻi. She brings years of experience and a strong commitment to protecting Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural resources,” Kanakaʻole said. “Just as importantly, Marigold understands that this work depends on our people, our communities and strong partnerships. We are fortunate to have someone with Marigold’s institutional knowledge and capabilities step into this important leadership role.”
Her duties include managing wildfire response across 60% of the island chain, along with programs that restore natural and cultural resources from mauka to makai.
She will also oversee programs that are doing critical work to preserve Hawaiʻi’s unique native plant and animal species, particularly 487 critically endangered or threatened species that represent 30% of the nation’s imperiled biodiversity.
“The misty forests of Kōkeʻe, the protected waters of Moloaʻa Bay and the clear mountain streams of Wailua are the foundation of my love for Hawaiʻi,” Zoll said. “My years at Forestry and Wildlife have transformed my understanding and appreciation of the full breadth of our work — the natural and cultural heritage we care for — and the historical context in which we do it.”
“My priorities are to support data-informed decisions, create meaningful impact and provide excellent public service — all while honoring traditional knowledge and building trust with the communities we serve,” Zoll continued.
In addition to her former role serving as DOFAW’s Oʻahu Branch Manager, Zoll’s career includes experience with federal agencies and nonprofits in natural resource management, regulatory work and conservation.
DAGS hires for a new leadership role
The state of Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services has hired Craig S. McGinnis as Special Projects Director for the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District project, a newly created leadership role.
McGinnis brings more than two decades of experience in real estate development, infrastructure and capital improvement projects in the public and private sectors.
The Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) created this position to manage this specific, complex, high-visibility state real estate development, which is a public-private partnership and major capital improvement project.
“We recognized the importance of reducing state reliance on external private consultants,” said Keith Regan, Director of DAGS and State Comptroller, who is also serving as acting Lieutenant Governor. “This dedicated resource will bring greater focus, save the state money on third party vendors and streamline the development process for this highly complex effort.”
The Special Projects Director will manage New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District’s (NASED) construction and final delivery, while also tracking its capital improvement budget, reviewing contract amendments and evaluating financial impacts.
The position also requires the director to be a liaison and a trust-builder between DAGS and diverse public agencies, legislative committees and community stakeholders.
These are all skills McGinnis has developed throughout his career in both the public and private sectors. Most recently, as Director of Capital Improvements for the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority, he oversaw planning, design, procurement and construction of more than $160 million in state capital projects.
His previous experience includes leading major private-sector real estate developments, managing complex public-private partnerships and bringing projects from initial planning and financial analysis through construction, delivery and operations.
“I’m thrilled to bring the culmination of my professional experience to DAGS,” McGinnis said. “It’s an honor to have a hand in guiding this legacy project that will benefit our community for generations to come.”
McGinnis holds an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
A former U.S. Army officer, he is active in the community, currently serving on the board of directors of the Institute for Human Services. McGinnis has lived in Hawaiʻi for almost 20 years.
