With three members of the senior leadership team retiring, First Hawaiian, Inc. has promoted Lea Nakamura as Chief Risk Officer and Darlene Blakeney as Chief Lending Officer, respectively. They will join the First Hawaiian Senior Management Committee and continue serving as members of the Senior Management Committee.
Ralph Mesick, vice chairman and chief risk officer, Lance Mizumoto, vice chairman and chief lending officer, and Iris Matsumoto, executive vice president and chief human resources officer, will all retire shortly.
In a statement by Bob Harrison, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of First Hawaiian said:
“Ralph, Lance and Iris have been instrumental in the success of our Bank. Their dedication, leadership and embodiment of our culture and relationship strategy have helped guide the organization”…
…“In anticipation of their retirement, our succession planning process will help ensure a seamless continuity of their invaluable contributions. Ralph, Lance and Iris have left a legacy of relationship building with our customers, employees and shareholders and we are incredibly grateful for their commitment to preparing their successors for this transition.”
Prior to serving as Deputy Chief Risk Officer, Ms. Nakamura served as Treasurer for First Hawaiian Bank and in various roles in the Risk Group. Ms. Blakeney has been with First Hawaiian Bank since 2015