Newsmaker
Monday, March 30, 1998
Name: John R. Penebacker
Age: 53
Education: UH
Occupation: Assistant to state librarian
Hobbies: Golf, running, weight training
John R. Penebacker may have made headlines as a state official or as a member of the University of Hawaii's "Fabulous Five" basketball team between 1969-1973, but he also has quietly devoted countless hours as a member of Hawaii's corps of citizen soldiers. A member of the Hawaii Army National Guard since he was commissioned in 1978, Penebacker recently was promoted to colonel and is the Hawaii Army Guard's strategic plans officer. Col. Penebacker has plans
As strategic plans officer, Penebacker said his job is "to develop plans implementing the state Department of Defense long-range program for the Army Guard in the areas of human resources, training, readiness, equipment and facilities, force structure, state civil defense and veteran affairs."
Specifically, this means that "whether the Army Guard mission involves responding to natural disasters, supporting real-world military taskings or assisting our community, the Army stands ready to respond," Penebacker said.
"The present dynamic environment coupled with complex political, economic and social conditions make long-range planning and strategic planning an absolute necessity. Without a plan, we would lack having a road map to the future."
Penebacker's first drill status job at the Army Guard's Fort Ruger headquarters was serving as its equal employment opportunity officer. He later served as commandant at the Hawaii Military Academy at Bellows Air Force Station. Before joining the Hawaii Army Guard, Penebacker served in the Air Force for five years.
After graduating from the University of Hawaii in 1973, Penebacker was special-programs specialist with the Hawaii Government Employees Association from 1974 to 1988 and joined the state library system in 1988.
He is married to the former Marjorie Choy. They have two daughters and two sons.
Gregg K. Kakesako, Star-Bulletin
