A new Fund also established in Skog’s name to be launched August 26th
August 14, 2017 – Today, the Board of Directors of the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) announced that they will award Jeanne Unemori Skog with their prestigious Colin C. Cameron Award during the upcoming MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund Dinner & Auction on Saturday, August 26th at the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui.
According to Ryan Churchill, Chair of MEDB’s Board of Directors, “Jeanne is deserving of this award, MEDB’s highest honor, for her 33 years of exemplary service to our residents. As this organization’s former President and CEO, MEDB significantly expanded its mission to lead and inspire innovation in business, education and the community toward building a vibrant economy.”
Under her leadership, MEDB greatly augmented services and reach to innovation-related businesses to help them navigate and thrive in Maui County, drawing in new partnerships along the way. Preparing residents for new careers in these sectors also surged with the launch and implementation of cutting-edge strategies in its STEM education-to-workforce program. MEDB achieved a milestone in community engagement on economic development planning with the groundbreaking Focus Maui Nui visioning process that captured the values, priorities and strategies of more than 1,700 residents to guide future planning. Subsequent forums and conferences on water resources, energy, STEM education, and space situational awareness continue to build on that model.
“I’m really honored by this recognition from the board,” said Skog. “I gratefully receive this on behalf of the thousands of individuals who joined our quest to make a difference in the economy of Maui County and the lives of our residents. That includes 33 years of directors on our board, of dedicated staff who bring such zeal to their tasks, and incredibly generous partners who donate time and dollars to our projects.”
Established in 1994, the Colin C. Cameron Award is presented to deserving individuals whom the board feels has made outstanding contributions to strengthening and diversifying Maui County’s economy. Past award recipients are: Senator Mamoru Yamasaki, Representative Joseph Souki, Donald G. Malcolm, Mayor Hannibal Tavares, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Michael H. Lyons II, and Masaru “Pundy” Yokouchi, Representative Bob Nakasone and Steve Holaday.
MEDB’s Board of Directors also established a special Entrepreneurs and Leaders Fund in Skog’s name which will support opportunities to nurture our next generation of visionaries. The fund will be launched during the MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund Benefit Dinner & Auction and guests will be able to contribute towards this special fund. A limited number of seats are still available at MEDB’s August 26th fundraising dinner. The reception and Silent Auction will begin at 4:30 pm and dinner and Live Auction at 6 pm. Click here to learn more and book your reservations or call 808-875-2300.
Maui Economic Development Board, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. It was established in 1982 to initially focus on diversifying Maui’s economy. At the time of MEDB’s formation, Maui’s economy was dependent on agriculture and tourism, both of which were vulnerable to forces beyond the community’s control. MEDB’s mission now involves taking innovative actions that strengthen existing industry as well as diversifying through new opportunities.
