Rick Watanabe
By Staff Reports
(LĪHU‘E)– After receiving over 20 resumes for the County Clerk position and engaging in an extensive hiring process, the County Council has selected Rick Watanabe for the position of County Clerk.
“In his vast experience at the Council Services Division, Rick Watanabe has proved an exemplary leader who takes great pride in his office, his staff and in serving the public,” said Council Chair Jay Furfaro.
The Council received a number of responses to the advertisement for the County Clerk position. Five applicants were selected to participate in an interview process with the Council body that included questions relating to the County budget, charter/constitutional questions, general Q & A and submission of essays.
Watanabe has worked with the County of Kaua‘i for over 27 years. He was appointed the Interim County Clerk in November 2011 and has served as the Council Services Administrator for over nine years.
“Rick demonstrated that he is highly qualified for the County Clerk position during the interview process through his wealth of knowledge in various areas of legislation and through his current leadership as the Interim County Clerk. As a Council, we look forward to this exciting new phase at the Office of the County Clerk, said Furfaro.”
Watanabe originally began his employment with the County as a contractual Coastal Zone Management Inspector/Technician with the Planning Department in 1979 for a year. After pursuing a Master’s Degree, Watanabe returned to Kaua‘i in 1984 as a Legislative Analyst with the Office of the County Clerk, Council Services Division. His former employment history includes Director of Food Services Management and restaurant management in the Midwest for numerous years.
Born and raised on Kaua‘i, Watanabe is an alumni of Waimea High School. Watanabe has a Master of Science Degree and Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resources Management from the Missouri State University (renamed Truman University). In his free time, Watanabe enjoys shoreline fishing.
The County Clerk is an appointed position that oversees the Office of the County Clerk, Council Services Divison and Elections Division. This position is currently available for the remainder of the 2010-2012 term which expires on December 1, 2012.