Roberts Hawaii said Friday that Percy Higashi will be retiring as president and chief operating officer June 30 and succeeded by one of the company’s most experienced executives, Roy Pfund.
“Percy has been a tremendous leader and asset for Roberts Hawaii, and we wish him all the best as he caps off his exemplary 40-year career,” Chairman and CEO Robert Iwamoto Jr. said. “While Percy will be sorely missed, we’re very fortunate and pleased to have Roy Pfund take the helm. Roy’s impressive business acumen and management experience, coupled with his extensive length of service with Roberts Hawaii, will ensure continuity and a seamless transition.”
Higashi joined Roberts Hawaii, the largest tour, transportation and entertainment company in the state, as executive vice president in 2010 and was promoted to his current position the following year. He is responsible for the company’s operations statewide, including approximately 1,800 employees and 900 vehicles on four islands.
During his tenure he led the company through a re-branding process as well as its transition to one of Hawaii’s largest ESOPs in transforming the business to 100 percent employee ownership.
Pfund is being promoted from his current role of executive vice president. He has 36 years of experience in the tour and transportation industry, the last 26 of them with Roberts Hawaii. He has management and leadership experience in investment, finance and accounting; tour and transportation operations; safety and insurance; and legal and regulatory compliance.
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ON THE MOVE
>> Belt Collins Hawaii has named Aaron Akau its new president and chief executive officer. He previously was the company’s director and vice president of landscape architecture. Akau has held a variety of positions at BCH since 1997, including having served as director of landscape architecture in 2006 as well as becoming one of the company’s majority owners in 2012.
Anthology Marketing Group has announced the following hires in its Public Relations and Digital groups:
>> Samantha Tirado is assistant account executive for its Public Relations Group. Prior to joining Anthology, Tirado was a social media and media relations coordinator for SSPR Public Relations Agency in Colorado.
>> Vanessa Mosquera is assistant account executive for its Digital Group. Prior to joining Hawaii’s most experienced integrated marketing and communications company, Mosquera was a cruise account executive for Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises.
