A veteran of the Maui Economic Opportunity Board of Directors, Ned Davis,
was installed Thursday, June 25, for his second go-round as President.
Recognized as MEO Volunteer of the Year in 2020, Davis joined the board in
2014 and has taken a strong interest in supporting Head Start preschoolers
and their families. He has represented the Board for many years on the Head
Start Policy Council, made up of the children’s parents and guardians, and
joined families and children in celebrations and other events.
The new MEO Board officers pose for a photo following their installation. Shown (from left): Debbie Cabebe, CEO; Bard Peterson, Vice President; Ned Davis, President; retired Judge Rhonda Loo, presiding officer; Caitlin Musson, Secretary; Cliff Alakai, Treasurer; Maggie Batangan, Executive Director.
Davis served his first stint as president from 2017-20; his current term
runs for 2 years. He represents state Sen. Lynn DeCoite on the tripartite
Board, which consists of government, business and client/community members.
Davis’ regular job is as Senior Data Scientist with the Research
Corporation of the University of Hawai`i. The longtime Maui resident has a
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and is active
in supporting local nonprofits.
Davis, his executive team and board members took their oaths of office from
retired 2nd Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo in a ceremony attended by about 30
people, including Mayor Richard Bissen, state Sen. Troy Hashimoto and state
Rep. Justin Woodson, a former Head Start parent who was the keynote speaker.
MEO board members and guests: (Seated from left) Board Members Mindy Bolo,
Adele Rugg, Tessie Segui, Caitlin Musson, and Sandy Ryan. Standing: CEO Debbie Cabebe, state Rep. Justin Woodson, Board Members Reuben Ignacio, Erin Mukai, Manny Baltazar, Bard Peterson, retired Judge Rhonda Loo, Board Members Ned Davis, Kai Pelayo, state Sen. Troy Hashimoto, Board Member Scott Okada, Executive Director Maggie Batangan, Board Members Jack Dowling, Cynthia Lallo and Cliff Alakai.
The rest of the MEO leadership team follows:
– Caitlin Musson, Vice President, Maui Bar Association, Merchant
Horovitz attorney.
– Bard Peterson, Secretary, representing Rep. Woodson, First
Hawaiian Bank Senior Vice President.
– Cliff Alakai, Treasurer, Sen. Hashimoto, Maui Medical Group
Administrator.
The Board of Directors sets policy, manages budgets and oversees executive
leadership for the 61-year-old Community Action Agency, which is one of the
largest nonprofits in Maui County.
MEO runs more than 30 programs, utilizes 230 staff on three islands, as
well as East Maui, and operated on a budget of $37 million in the 2024-25
fiscal year while touching the lives of 54,780 residents.
Mayor Richard Bissen.
State Sen. Troy Hashimoto
Cliff Alakai, Treasurer
State Rep. Justin Woodson offered the keynote address.
Caitlin Musson may not be “top banana” but will fill in as needed as Vice
President.
Following a fruit theme for the installation of MEO Board officers,
President Ned Davis accepts an apple as “the apple of the board’s eye” from
retired Judge Rhonda Loo after taking the oath office.
Bard Peterson receives a pear from retired Judge Rhonda Loo for being ap-pear-ant in keeping records as Secretary
The MEO Board Installation, which included about 30 people, ended with
“Hawai`i Aloha.”