WAILUKU - Mayor-elect Alan Arakawa has chosen Maui County Council Member Jo Anne Johnson as his administration's transportation director.
Marc Takamori was picked to serve as deputy director.
During her tenure as a council member, Johnson served as chairwoman of the Parks and Economic Development and the Economic Development, Agriculture and Recreation committees.
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Johnson
According to Arakawa's announcement, Johnson was instrumental in allocating $25,000 from her office budget to pay for a transportation infrastructure workshop that brought experts from the Mainland to share expertise and raise awareness of the complexities of traffic and roadway plans.
"Throughout the 10 years she has served on the County Council, Jo Anne has shown tremendous compassion, leadership and a willingness to help our community," Arakawa said. "She is innovative and passionate and has proven her commitment to make Maui County the best it possibly can be."
Johnson, who has held the council's West Maui residency seat, is leaving office because of term limits. She has said she is no longer interested in elected office, but wanted to serve in the Arakawa administration.
"I am completely committed to doing the best possible job for the people of Maui in the area of transportation," she said. "Since the area of transportation touches every sector of our community and affects virtually everything we do, it is an honor that I have been selected to serve the administration and our people at this critical time.
"I am known for my innovative thinking and also my tenacity in solving problems, and with budgetary constraints we face, it will require careful planning and a creative approach to financing and delivery of services to meet the growing needs of our people," she said.
Takamori received his bachelor's degree in computer engineering with a minor in engineering management from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif. He works as a network administrator for Oceanit Laboratories Inc. on Oahu. While at Oceanit, he has also served as a systems integration engineer.
"Jo Anne and Marc possess the talents and drive that we were looking for in these critical positions," Arakawa said.
The Arakawa administration takes office Jan. 2.
