Name: Mike Vajda
Age: 41
Position: Director of Asia/Pacific sales, Hawaiian Hotels & Resorts
First job: Teaching English in Japan
Hobbies: Golf, fishing

He will focus on development of Asian markets for the Royal Lahaina Resort and its sister properties, the Royal Kona Resort on the Big Island and the Kauai Coconut Beach Resort. He'll be based in Lahaina.

"We're trying to raise the percentage of the Asia-Pacific market in all three properties," Vajda said. "I'll be going to Japan in April, July and November."

Vajda lived in Japan for 14 years as a young boy and teenager, while his father had an import-export business.

He has eight years in the resort industry, working for Amfac Properties, the Kaanapali Golf Courses, the Hyatt Regency Maui and the Westin Maui.

Vajda earned a bachelor's degree in hotel business management from Colorado Mountain College.