Alm announces departure from Hawaiian Electric

Robbie Alm, the Hawaiian Electric Co. executive who served as the public face of the utility’s transition to renewable energy, will leave the company Aug. 30.

The 61-year-old Alm said the decision to leave his $369,000-a-year position was his choice, and that he felt the timing was right for the company to begin making the transition to a new group of leaders to guide Hawaiian Electric’s renewable energy effort.

"I’m not retiring. I’m going to spend some time and figure out what my next journey is," said Alm, who worked 12 years at HECO.

Alm was a key player in HECO’s effort to help state policymakers draft the 2008 Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. He also was involved in writing HECO’s five-year energy plan filed this month with the Public Utilities Commission.

"I have full confidence in our next generation of leaders to take our plans to the next level. And I will always be willing to help in any way I can," Alm said. "Like most of us, there are things in my family and personal life that I haven’t spent enough time on. So I plan to spend the next few months focusing on those things, while still continuing to support various community organizations. And then we’ll see what challenges lie ahead."

One of the things on his "to-do" list is to write more, Alm said. Possible book topics include leadership in Hawaii and a profile of a historic Hawaii figure, he said.

The company issued a statement thanking Alm for his 12 years of service. Alm joined HECO in 2001 as senior vice president of public affairs, and was promoted to his current post of executive vice president in 2008.

"Our company has gained so much from Robbie’s leadership in the community over the years so we understand and respect his decision to seek additional ways to contribute to our community," said Dick Rosenblum, Hawaiian Electric president and chief executive officer.

"While we’ll miss Robbie’s vision and counsel, his legacy will remain in our commitment to a clean energy future rooted in what’s best for our customers. And we know we can count on his continued support," Rosenblum said.

Before joining HECO Alm worked for nine years at First Hawaiian Bank, where he served as executive vice president and manager of the bank’s Financial Management Group. He was hired at First Hawaiian after working for 11 years at the state Department of Consumer Affairs, where he rose to the position of deputy director. Before that he spent three years in Washington, D.C., on Sen. Dan Inouye’s staff.

Born and raised in Hawaii, Alm graduated from University High School and the University of Hawaii. He also holds a law degree from the University of Iowa.