Executive Profile
Thursday, March 11, 1999
Name: Richard N. West
Age: 60
Position: Associate director, Hawaii Island Economic Development Board
First job: Picking macadamia nuts
Favorite pastime: Golf
Richard "Rick" West will be working with Paula Helfrich, executive director of the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board, on development priorities which include expanding support for the cruise industry. The board also wants to start a quarterly economic report for the Big Island. Joins Hawaii Economic
Development board"Our intention is to enhance the visitor experience for cruise ships, improve facilities at Hilo and Kailua-Kona and hopefully attract repeat visitors," West said.
He had a 35-year career with the Bank of Hawaii, all but three of them on the Big Island. He retired as the bank's regional vice president last August. West has served as chairman of the Hawaii Visitors Bureau and a director of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii and the North Hawaii Community Hospital. West is a graduate of Punahou School and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash.
By Jerry Tune, Star-Bulletin
