Mayor Rick Blangiardi has appointed Ben Sullivan as executive director and chief resilience officer for the Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has appointed Ben Sullivan as the new executive director and chief resilience officer of the Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency. Sullivan, who began his role on September 3, 2024, succeeds Matthew Gonser, who stepped down for family reasons. Sullivan previously served as the deputy director of the CCSR since June 2023 and has a background as an energy program manager and sustainability coordinator.
Blangiardi praised Sullivan’s leadership and expertise, expressing confidence in his ability to build on the work accomplished by Gonser over the past four years. Sullivan, who holds a degree in environmental design from the University of Colorado at Boulder, is committed to addressing Oahu’s climate challenges and advancing the city's resilience and energy sustainability efforts.
Gonser will continue his work in resilience and sustainability but is transitioning to a role with the Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office. Blangiardi acknowledged Gonser’s dedication and contributions, noting his role in establishing a strong foundation for the city’s climate preparedness.
FULL STORY: Blangiardi names Sullivan new chief resilience officer
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