Governor David Ige recently announced on his website that he has appointed Leodoloff “Leo” Asuncion Jr. as chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, replacing James Griffin, who said in January that he will be stepping down when his term expires at the end of June.
“Hawaiʻi has been leading by example as the state accelerates its transformation to a clean energy economy," Ige said in a news release. "Under Leo’s leadership, the Public Utilities Commission will continue this work, which will directly benefit the environment and create new businesses and jobs that are in balance with our natural resources while protecting the interests of Hawaii’s working families."
Asuncion has more than 30 years of experience in planning, policy analysis and management around the state, and from 2013 to 2018 served as director and as planning program administrator at the Office of Planning and the Department of Business and Economic Development and Tourism, according to the release. He was also the planning program manager of the Hawaiʻi Coastal Zone Management program from 2011-2013.
Hawai'i Gov. David Ige
| Gov. David Ige/ Facebook
Ige praised his appointee's resume and experience.
Ige, a Democrat, has a master’s degree in business administration from Hawaii Pacific University, and a degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He also has worked with Hawaiian Electric Co. Inc., SSFM International Inc., and has served on the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary and the State Land Use Commission.