First Hawaiian announced the upcoming retirements of vice chairman and chief risk officer, Ralph Mesick; vice chairman and chief lending officer, Lance Mizumoto; and executive vice president and chief human resources officer, Iris Matsumoto.
“Ralph, Lance and Iris have been instrumental in the success of our bank. Their dedication, leadership and embodiment of our culture and relationship strategy have helped guide the organization,” Bob Harrison, chairman, president and CEO of First Hawaiian, said. “In anticipation of their retirement, our succession planning process will help ensure a seamless continuity of their invaluable contributions. Ralph, Lance and Iris have left a legacy of relationship building with our customers, employees and shareholders and we are incredibly grateful for their commitment to preparing their successors for this transition.”
In anticipation of these retirements, First Hawaiian promoted deputy chief risk officer Lea Nakamura to chief risk officer and executive vice president and division manager for the corporate banking division of First Hawaiian Bank and president of First Hawaiian Leasing Darlene Blakeney will be chief lending officer, effective July 1 and Oct. 1, respectively. Each will join the First Hawaiian Senior Management Committee upon her respective appointment.
Additionally, Gina Anonuevo, chief compliance officer of the bank, will take over as chief human resources officer effective Dec. 1. As chief human resources officer, Anonuevo will continue to serve as a member of the First Hawaiian Senior Management Committee.
Nakamura has more than 34 years of banking experience. Prior to serving as deputy chief risk officer, she served as treasurer for First Hawaiian Bank and in various roles in the risk group. She has experience in additional areas including swaps, foreign exchange, credit analyses, capital and liquidity management and analytics, stress testing and model management.
Blakeney has been with First Hawaiian Bank since 2015 and has a total of more than 25 years of banking experience in lending and credit administration. In addition to her banking experience, she served as the director of finance and administration for Hanahau’oli School for nine years.
Anonuevo has served as the bank’s chief compliance officer since 2011. Prior to that, she served as director of audit for the bank for five years and served as a bank examiner with the FDIC for eight years.
“I am delighted to welcome Lea and Darlene to the senior management team and to welcome Gina to her new role. Lea, Darlene and Gina are highly qualified for their new positions, and each of them has a thoughtful and nuanced understanding of relationship banking and risk management and their importance in our corporate culture. I am confident that each will be able to pick up seamlessly where her predecessor left off and that we will continue the excellent work that has enabled us to serve our customers so well for 165 years.” Harrison said. “All of us at First Hawaiian Bank extend our heartfelt gratitude for your exceptional leadership and dedicated service.”
