Helping the boss be the boss

Rena Hwang is executive assistant to two top isle corporate executives

STORY SUMMARY »

Who: Rena Hwang

Title: Executive assistant

Job: Handles scheduling and other duties for the top two executives at American Savings Bank

Rena Hwang at one point thought she might become a social worker to help people succeed, but instead she ended up doing that in the business world.

Specifically, Hwang is executive assistant to Constance "Connie" Lau, chairman and chief executive officer of American Savings Bank. (Lau also is chairman, CEO and president of the bank's parent, Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.,where she has a separate assistant, Julie Krucky.)

Hwang also is executive assistant to Timothy Schools, president of the bank, which Hwang joined 10 years ago after a varied career that began as a server at Patty's Chinese Kitchen at Ala Moana Center, when she was still in junior high school.

Hwang also worked for the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii and as a legal assistant and secretary at a local law firm.

Hwang last week said never had planned to go into her current line of work, but that it is in keeping with her desire to help others succeed. That also is why she is on the board of Sacred Hearts Academy in Kaimuki, where she graduated from high school, and is a member and former president of the Honolulu Chinese Jaycees. She also volunteers with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, helping it produce its annual Narcissus Festival and other cultural activities.

Hwang has a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, as well as an associate of science degree in legal assistance from Kapiolani Community College.

The former Rena Dang, 41, is married to environmental attorney Dennis Hwang, with whom she resides in Waikele.

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FULL STORY »

Mark Coleman: How would you describe your job?

Rena Hwang: I'm the executive assistant to our chairman and CEO, Constance, or Connie, Lau, as well as our president, Timothy Schools.

Q: And what does that mean you do?

A: I support these two wonderful people. (Laughter) You know, wholeheartedly I support the two of them. I have another assistant who is my backup.

Q: Who's that?

A: It's Masumi Ching.

Q: How long have you been doing this?

A: Well, you know, I just made my 10 years with American Savings Bank. And it's just been a wonderful experience working here. It's been exciting.

Q: What were you doing before taking on this job?

A: Well, I first started working as an over-the--counter at Patty's Chinese Kitchen, and I started when I was a junior in high school. Then I moved over to my first office experience as a student helper at the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii. And while I was attending school --and I graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa -- then I moved over to a law office, working for a sole proprietor, Fred Paul Benco. I was the legal assistant and secretary there.

After working for him, I had an opportunity where I worked at Meadow Gold Dairies. I worked a little over a year there, supporting the president (Glenn Muranaka).

Then there was an opportunity at American Savings Bank, and I moved over and started as executive assistant to the president. Well, actually I started as an executive secretary supporting two executives. Then eventually, when American Savings brought over Connie from HEI as our senior executive vice president and chief operating officer, from treasurer over at HEI, our parent company, then I started working for Connie.

Q: What are your typical work days and hours?

A: Every day is different, but I guess I would have to say that typically my day starts at 8 o'clock. Sometimes I have to come in earlier, if there are board meetings. So it varies. But I am here anywhere from 7 to 8 o'clock at night, on the average.

Q: Do you ever work on weekends?

A: Once in a while, I do come in on the weekends.

Q: What kinds of clerical, accounting, or even management skills do you need for this job?

A: You know, this particular position is not your typical secretary, where you are at your desk all day answering phones or on the computer doing your e-mails or typing letters for the executives. I guess you could consider me a jack-of-all-trades. I'm really the primary control center for a myriad of things, and I would be happy to share some of it with you.

I primarily do a lot of the scheduling for Connie, and some for Tim as well. People also call me for just a multiple of different things that they may have questions related to the bank. And I've also been called on about videoconferencing. We have a beautiful office-room facility that has state-of-the-art technology, and I do run that.

Q: Are there any employees who report to you?

A: Yes, I have two that report to me. Masumi is one of them. I also have an assistant administrative secretary.

Q: Who's that?

A: Her name is Kris Remington. She sits downstairs in the reception area of our executive office.

Q: Down on the 29th floor?

A: That's right.

Q: So she shows them the secret door that lets people get up to your office?

A: Yes. (Laughter).

Q: Do you use computers much for anything?

A: Yes, I do. Not only computers -- I also have a Blackberry.

Q: Do you do your scheduling on a computer calendar?

A: Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. I carry two Blackberrys. Obviously one is for Connie's schedule and the other is my own.

Q: Are you involved in office purchasing, things like that?

A: Actually, I have my assistants handle that, but I do get called on for some facility matters, or troubleshooting, especially if it occurs here on the 30th floor. The Bishop Management maintenance people sometimes call me.

Q: Do you occupy the whole 30th floor?

A: Yes we do. We have executive office and also a conference room up here.

Q: Do you sit in on meetings with Connie Lau?

A: Rarely. The only time that I may be called in to sit in on meetings would be, for example, the management committee, where I may I have to take minutes. If one of our senior officers that does it is on vacation, I will be the substitute, for back up.

Q: Do you ever have to take dictation, using Gregg shorthand writing?

A: Nope. No dictation. I think with computers now, everyone is able to do their own letters and send it via e-mail. I primarily expedite everything and just get it done.

Q: Is there some sort of continuing education that you go through?

A: Not in particular. With all of my experience that I gained working with the various companies that I described to you earlier, I think I pretty much learned a lot of this through on -the-job training. I did not attend any specific secretarial training. The only further education that I did take was a legal-assistants program at Kapiolani Community College.

Q: What was your day today like, besides talking to me?

A: Well, let's see. As I'm driving in, I'm on the phone, catching up on phone calls that I couldn't get to yesterday. My husband (Dennis) and I drive in together, so he dropped me off. Then I'm crossing the street, looking at my Blackberry, checking e-mails. Then I came up here to the office and my phone started ringing off the hook. I fielded quite a few calls. Then we had some committee meetings scheduled for today, and I just ensured that everything was fine and set up. And then I was putting together my board materials, for a directors meeting -- the board binders.

Q: Does Connie Lau ever ask you for your opinion about business decisions she's trying to make?

A: Um ... let's think about this. You know, there's so much going on, to be honest with you. (Laughter) I think Connie just has everything that makes a good person. She also values feedback from her executives before she makes decisions, so, possibly, maybe indirectly, ... but we've never really sat down and had one major discussion on anything. But I do know that she values feedback, whether from myself or any of the executives that she works with.

Q: Do you see Connie every day?

A: We speak on the phone whenever she has a little break. There are days where I don't see her, because she's primarily in meetings all day. The way we get things done or stay in touch is really by phone.

Q: Do you ever get the sense, sometimes, that you could do Connie Lau's job?

A: (Laughter) I never imagined that I would ever -- never in my wildest dreams. I majored in sociology, and at one point I thought I would go into social work. And then, when I was still attending UH-Manoa, I suddenly turned to possibly going into education. Then as I was taking a few education courses, for some reason or another I stuck with obtaining my degree in sociology, and then afterwards, I just started working in more of an executive assistant-type of position. I just found myself working more as a helper or a supporter to make a business successful. It just happened. It was not something I was seeking. ... I guess that's where I ultimately found my niche.

Q: Do you move around much during the day?

A: People have kidded me that I'm like this gush of wind, because sometimes I am literally running all over the place. There is always something going on.

Q: Looking ahead, what's the outlook for you at the company? Are you anywhere near retirement?

A: Oh, well, I'm actually at a very nice age -- I'm 41 -- so I don't think I'm anywhere near retirement.

I've just enjoyed my 10 years here at American Savings Bank. The employees are so wonderful, and I'm just very happy being here and with the opportunities I have here. And I do go down to the main branch to do my home banking. (Laughter) So to answer your question about my outlook, I enjoy what I'm doing, and I'm just very fortunate to be doing what I'm doing.

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