Avalon Group
Ben Dookchitra has been named chief financial officer and chief investment officer. Dookchitra has held the position of chief investment officer since 2022 and previously served at real estate bank iStar Financial as Hawaii Region head. Dookchitra has over 25 years of experience in real estate. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from Princeton University, a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a master’s in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Robby Kelley has been promoted to executive vice president and chief development officer. Kelley will also serve as president of Avalon Energy, an energy consulting firm in the Avalon Group family of companies. Kelley’s previous roles at Avalon include project manager and vice president. Kelley earned a Juris Doctor from Duke University and Master of Business Administration from the University of San Diego.
Andrew Yani joins Avalon as chief innovation officer. In this role, Yani will spearhead innovative concepts including the recently opened Pickles at Fortè. Yani has over 25 years of leadership experience in a range of fields including real estate, renewable energy and multimedia. He has led notable solar and real estate projects in Hawai‘i and the continental U.S. Yani has previously worked as a news anchor, reporter and producer for major television networks, including serving as president at Merv Griffin Entertainment. Yani attended The University of Michigan, The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and Pepperdine Graziadio Business School.
Hawaiian Cement
Hawaiian Cement has hired Sheldon Miyakado as controller. In his new role, Miyakado will oversee the company’s financial operating plan, reporting and analysis, long-term forecasting, GAAP compliance and risk management. Miyakado is a licensed CPA who brings over 30 years of experience in finance. Miyakado earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
Inform Design
Bernadette “Bernie” Ryan joins Inform Design as accounts payable administrator. Ryan has held positions at Division X Inc. as controller and State Management Services as construction administrator, and her experience includes project planning, budget management and team coordination.
Ledcor Maui
Clifford Nae‘ole joins Ledcor Maui as cultural advisor. In his new role, Nae‘ole will advise Ledcor Maui in their development plans for South Maui. Nae‘ole was cultural advisor at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua for over 30 years until his recent retirement. Nae‘ole is the founder and organizer of the annual Celebration of the Arts festival presented by The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. Trained as a chanter and dancer, Nae‘ole has focused his teachings on the importance of respecting Hawai‘i as a place and Hawaiians as a people.
Tileco Inc.
Leanne Ogata has been promoted to president, succeeding Dennis Sakamoto. She will also maintain the position of COO. Ogata was previously Tileco vice president and COO, a position she has held since 2021. Ogata is the third-generation successor of the locally owned and operated company, and is the company’s first female president, bringing with her over a decade of building industry experience.
