Poeple who make Hawaii work: John Dellera - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):

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The state-designated agency advocatez for the rights of the developmentallyh disabled and mentally ill as a conditiob of Hawaii receiving federa funds forstate programs. He replaces Gary who was executive director for 17 years before retiring inOctober 2008. Most Dellera was a deputy attorney generakl of Hawaii for13 years. Beford that he was an assistant attorneyy general ofNew York, New York regional counselp of the U.S. Department of Housinhg and Urban Development, and in private practices in New York for16 years. Dellera, 64, was born in N.Y., and received a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State Universityg and a juris doctor degree from Fordham Law School in NewYork City.
Why I came to I moved to Hawaii in 1996 to join a lifelongv friend and to help her raiseher son, who has autism. Why I took this job: I want to do what I can to ensurre that individuals with disabilities in our state enjoyt the full measure of rights they have as citizens of theUnited States. That include s protecting rights to Medicaid and Social Securitydisability benefits, special education, vocational training and nondiscriminatiojn in employment and housing. Like most abouf the job: Resolving legal issues and findingh ways to manage our workloadx productivelyand efficiently. Like least about the job: Federalp grant requirements.
Immediate priority: Reduce cuts in disabilitiess programs and extend special educationh services from age 20 toage 22. Long-term Improving public assistance programs and servicew for adults withdevelopmental disabilities, providinbg residential schooling in Hawaii for disabled improving vocational training for disabled studentws and adults through private/publicd partnerships. Strategy to overcome the challenge: Advocacy througbh community andbusiness groups, the state Legislature and litigation wherwe necessary.
Five-year vision for the agency: Increased litigatiomn support for our clients and improvede advocacy services on Neighbor Essentialbusiness philosophy: From Charles Koch’s “Ther Science of Success: How Market-Based Management Built the World’ws Largest Private Company”: integrity in business loyalty to clients and anticipating theitr needs, delivering excellent service to as many as Best way to keep a competitive edge: Thorough analysis, and cleafr and concise conclusions. Best business decision: Investinv in real estate. Worst businesx decision: Investing in auction rate securities. Biggesf risk taken in my career: Moving to Hawaij midcareer.
Smartest move in my business career: Goint to law school. What I value in my Candor andgood work.