Business Development Center Director David Daly was named Maui Economic
Opportunity Employee of the Year at the nonprofit’s holiday gathering Dec.
19.
David was selected from the cadre of the Employee of Month winners for 2025
and was the Employee of the Month for March. The Employee of the Month and
Year nominations are made by staff with selection by the administrative
team.
The award recognizes outstanding service in carrying out MEO’s Mission “to
strengthen the community . . . while helping people in need restore their
hope, empowering them to reach their potential and enrich their lives” and
embodying MEO’s core values of teamwork, integrity, personal excellence,
empathy, creativity, flexibility and respect.
Business Development Center Director David Daly was named Maui Economic
Opportunity’s Employee of the Year at a staff holiday gathering on Dec. 19
at MEO in Wailuku.
David was nominated by longtime receptionist Kai Oliver, who had a
firsthand view of his interactions with staff and the public. She said he
is “always warm and friendly” with clients and “an excellent listener.”
“His natural character with customers and employees of MEO shows
compassion, understanding and fairness to all,” Kai said. “One of his
greatest gifts he has is his funny and humorous sayings for expressions
that really and truly make you smile for the rest of the day.”
Kai made the nomination prior to her retirement earlier this year. Sadly,
she passed this summer.
As the director of BDC, David leads a five-person department ‒ with a
specialist on Moloka`i ‒ that offers general business micro- and
agricultural- grants, the Core Four business planning and teen and adult
financial literacy classes, and credit counseling. He joined MEO in March
2009.
He received a cash award and an extra day off.
For more information about BDC, call (808) 249-2990.
MEO Employee of the Year David Daly poses for a photo with Chief
Administrative Officer Maggie Batangan (left) and CEO Debbie Cabebe.