University of Hawaii Board of Regents Vice Chairman James Lee has been passed up by Gov. Neil Abercrombie for another term on the board.
Lee’s term ends June 30 and the attorney and real estate development executive had been named as a finalist for his seat along with three others by the Candidate Advisory Council, which submitted 13 names to the governor to fill four upcoming vacancies on the 15-member board.
Abercrombie has selected retired UH administrator Lee Putnam to fill Lee’s Honolulu seat.
The governor also named engineer Stanford Yuen and attorney Jeffrey Portnoy to Honolulu seats. UH-Manoa graduate student Michelle Tagorda was chosen as the student regent on the board.
His appointments are subject to confirmation by the state Senate.
"With strong leadership and experience in their respective areas of expertise, I am confident that these nominees will drive the University of Hawaii to the next level," Abercrombie said in a statement. "They are all very knowledgeable of the UH System and understand that its success is important for the entire state."
Putnam retired in 2010 as a specialist emeritus in UH-Manoa’s Office of Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity. She previously served as associate university librarian and assistant vice president for academic affairs.
Yuen, a former special assistant to the commander of Navy Region Hawaii, will replace outgoing regents Chairman John Holzman, whose term ends June 30. Yuen is president of SLC Consulting, which provides services in engineering management and intergovernmental affairs.
Portnoy will continue serving in the seat he was named to as an interim appointment in November. He’s a partner at Cades Schutte and heads its litigation department.
Tagorda will replace Jeffrey Acido as the student representative. Acido’s term ends June 30.
Tagorda earned undergraduate degrees in biology and psychology from Manoa and is working toward a master’s degree in public health.
