SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR

Buck’s family of companies employs over 500 people who specialize in food distribution, production and cold chain logistics.

He moved to Maui from Chicago at the age of 18 with a one-way ticket and little else. Buck worked multiple jobs to support himself and was quickly promoted into management positions in the food distribution industry.

In 1997, he used a $40,000 personal loan to start Hawaii Foodservice Alliance. What began as a cost competitive buying service for family-owned restaurants has grown into one of the top 50 largest companies in the state by revenue.

Buck’s business success might only be exceeded by his volunteering and philanthropic contributions. Since 2019, Buck has been actively engaged with the Department of Defense, Naval Postgraduate School, FEMA, Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency, Honolulu Department of Emergency Management and Civil Defense for Maui, Hawai‘i and Kaua‘i counties. Buck’s primary role is to enhance the government’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to disasters by leveraging his network of companies, which can expedite the distribution of food and aid throughout the Islands and from the continent.

In 2021, Buck developed and donated the state’s first prototype “Pre-Covery Pod” to the Wai‘anae community. The pod contains over 150,000 meal packets and is designed to support communities that are geographically at risk of being cut off from resupply after major natural disaster.

In August 2023, Buck’s companies served as the logistics platform for emergency food and other aid for the state and Maui County during the Maui wildfire response. The first convoy of his companies’ trucks loaded with food and aid entered Lahaina while it was still aflame.

Since August 9, 2023, over 1,450 truck trips have moved millions of pounds of aid from Hawai‘i and the continent to the impacted areas of Kula and West Maui via HFA Logistics. One hundred percent of all goods and services provided by Buck’s companies to the state and Maui County were donated.

All of Buck’s companies are focused on building and equipping first-generation leaders and driving Hawai‘i toward a more sustainable and food-secure future. The efforts are motivated by the belief that creating a better Hawai‘i and future for our keiki will require all stakeholders – including government, nonprofits and private industry – to align and work together.

Tihati Productions has grown to be the largest entertainment company of the Hawaiian Islands, producing luau shows both internationally and at dozens of a Hawaii’s leading resorts and hotels, spanning over four major Hawaiian islands, and have also performed for the White House. Bringing Hawaiian and Polynesian entertainment, with Aloha to the world, one of Cha’s most memorable experiences was in Thailand where she spent 6 years even throughout their civil war. Her husband Jack Thompson, (Papali’itele Tihati Jack Thompson) a relative of His Majesty King of Tonga, Tupou Taufaahau the 4^th, always had Tihati Productions (or Cha only?) perform for him and his court whenever they were in Tonga or when the King visited Hawaii. Additionally, they were in the service of Head of State of Independent Samoa, His Royal Highness Malietoa Tanumafili 2^nd, while also providing Polynesian entertainment throughout his travels.

 In his role as CEO and President of Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, the state’s largest private sector tourism organization, Hannemann has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in advocating and promoting the state’s number one industry. Recognized as one of the tourist industry’s top leaders and advocates, the Iolani and Harvard honors graduate is at the forefront of many of the priority issues that require government and community support. As a former Fulbright Scholar in New Zealand, his views and opinions are highly sought and respected in the Pacific Island community.

Thompson is the first Native Hawaiian in 600 years to practice the ancient Polynesian art of navigation; completing long-distance open-ocean voyages without the aid of modern instruments. An explorer, educator, cultural revivalist and more, his impact is felt throughout the community.

The non-instrument navigation system Thompson has developed, which blends traditional principles and modern scientific knowledge, is taught in schools throughout Hawaii and the Pacific. He shares his knowledge openly with the hope of inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards that will protect and continue the connection between ocean past and future.

Prior to joining First Hawaiian Bank, Mr. Yeaman was President and Chief Executive Officer of Hawaiian Telcom from 2008 – 2015 where he successfully led the company’s return to profitability and growth as well as its transformation to become Hawaii’s technology leader with the launch of Hawaiian Telcom TV, 1 Gigabit internet speeds, data center and advanced cloud-based services.

In 2008, he served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. (HECO) where he was responsible for the leadership of its day-to-day Oahu operations, energy solutions, public affairs, financial and administrative process areas. Prior to that from 2003 – 2008, he served as Financial Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Hawaiian Electric Industries, HECO’s parent company. He was Chief Operating and Financial Officer for Kamehameha Schools from 2000 to 2003 and began his career leading numerous audit and consulting projects at Arthur Andersen LLP from 1989 – 2000.

Active in community affairs, Mr. Yeaman currently serves on the nonprofit boards of the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and Friends of Hawaii Charities. Until recently, he was also on the nonprofit boards of The Queen’s Health Systems (the last 6 years as Chairman of the Board) and the Hawaii Community Foundation. In addition, he is a director of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), Alexander & Baldwin (NYSE: ALEX) and Hawaiian Telcom (NASDAQ: HCOM) and a member of the Hawaii Asia Pacific Association.

Mr. Yeaman was honored as one of the University of Hawaii Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni in 2016. He was also named Hawaii Business Magazine’s CEO of the Year for 2011. In September of 2010, he was inducted into University of Hawaii’s Shidler College of Business Hall of Honor. In 2004, Mr. Yeaman was recognized as the Financial Executive of the Year (Regional Award) sponsored by Robert Half International Inc. and the Institute of Management Accountants, as well as one of Pacific Business News’ Forty Under 40.

Mr. Yeaman was born and raised in Kona, Hawaii, earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree (with distinction) in accounting from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is a certified public accountant in the State of Hawaii.

Since the 1957 inception of the award, when Daniel S. C. Liu first accepted the title, SME has recognized scores of leaders who have served to better our community in Hawaii. We are proud to be able to add Rolles’ name to this distinguished list as our 60th recipient. Join us as we recognize her vision, achievements and contributions at this esteemed annual event.

Among his accomplishments as dean, Roley partnered with alumnus Jay H. Shidler to bring two transformational private donations to the college. First in 2006, to name the college the “Shidler College of Business” with a $25 million gift, and the second in 2014 to increase Mr. Shidler commitment to $100 million making it the largest donation ever to the University of Hawai‘i from a private donor.

While that honor recognized his work with the Star- Advertiser, the same qualities that E&P cited also have been followed as Oahu Publications has added neighbor islands newspapers, guided by Francis. In 2012, E&P recognized the Star-Advertiser as one of “10 Newspapers That Do it Right” for Francis’ innovative community support through newspaper subscriptions.

Giving back to the community is a core value of Mr. Carr’s corporate philosophy. He is a trustee of the University of Hawaii Foundation, 2013 Chairman for the March of Dimes Hawaii, and Corporate Team Chair for March for Babies. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific Foundation, the Trust for Public Land, and the Japan America Society of Hawaii. He is also a member of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii and was actively involved in developing the new BIA Training Center.

Dean’s community involvement includes being founder and sponsor of the Kipapa i ke Ala Lecture Series at the UH Shidler College of Business , a Director of the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship and E-Business (PACE) at the business school of the University of Hawaii, Chairman Emeritus of Entrepreneurs Foundation of Hawaii and Chairman of the Emmett R. Quady Foundation, a family foundation.