10 TO WATCH IN 2004:
Christine Camp
FILE PHOTO
Work has helped business and development groups
Business advocate set
to lead Chamber
Christine Camp, principal of Avalon Development & Consulting, has quietly made a name for herself on the local scene for several years.
A former vice president of Alexander & Baldwin's property subsidiary, Camp, now in her early 30s, seemed destined for the corporate fast track. But she branched out on her own, setting up her own development firm. Along the way she has gained recognition from her peers, first as a member of the Hawaii Developers Council, then board member and finally president of the organization.
The Star-Bulletin is spotlighting 10 people who may have a big impact on Hawaii this year.
She is also chairwoman of the Urban Land Institute of Hawaii district council and sits on the board of the Hawaii Community Development Authority.
Andres Albano, a fellow Developer's Council member and former president, describes Camp as a hard worker.
"It's what separates her from others," he said. "She's willing to take on a lot of work even when it appears her plate is full. She finds the time to complete the task. That's what she brings to the table."
In the past couple of years, Camp's interests have expanded to small-business issues through the Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Council. Three years ago, she became chairwoman of the council, elevating the group's profile as she testified at the Legislature on a variety of small-business issues.
"She's the one who raised the bar for small-business community involvement in the Chamber," said Small Business Advocate Bev Harbin, who has worked with Camp for the last several years.
"When she arrived, the council was almost nonexistent," Harbin said. "Now it's a leading voice for the small-business community. She set a high standard, and every chair since then has followed through."
Harbin predicts great things from Camp this year when she assumes her next post in July as chairwoman of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.
One of the Chamber's key initiatives will be another attempt at workers' compensation reform, Harbin said.
"She is leading the whole work comp reform at the Chamber and will be doing things we couldn't accomplish in 1996," Harbin said.
