Reiko Matsuyama announced as new Managing Director starting Aug. 7
Published on July 06, 2023
LĪHU‘E – Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami has appointed Reiko Matsuyama as the County of Kaua‘i’s Managing Director effective August 7, 2023, following the upcoming departure of current Managing Director Michael A. Dahilig who will be joining Senator Brian Schatz’s office in September.
“Reiko is an extremely hard worker and we’ve seen the tremendous impact she’s made over the past four years, not just in the operations of the Finance Department but also in our people,” said Mayor Kawakami. “The decision to bring her on board was an easy one, and we are excited to see her continue to grow and thrive in this new capacity as our Managing Director. This announcement is also bittersweet because we will truly miss Mike and all that he brings to our office. If you know Mike, you know that he is someone who always brings people together. While his presence will be missed in our office, we know it won’t be long before we see him again either in his official capacity or just around the island. We thank Mike for his 15 years of service to the County of Kaua‘i and our community, and wish him the very best in his new position with Senator Schatz and his team.”
Matsuyama joined the County of Kaua‘i in January 2019 when she was appointed as Director of Finance during Mayor Kawakami’s first term in office. Before joining the County, she was the Director of Finance for Grove Farm Company, Inc., and served as the Senior Auditor for Deloitte & Touche LLP prior to her time at Grove Farm.
Born and raised on Kaua‘i, Matsuyama graduated from Kaua‘i High School and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Accounting with a Minor in Economics from Southern Oregon University. She then graduated from the University of Oregon with a Master’s of Accountancy. Over the past 15 years, Matsuyama has served on numerous boards in our community including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kaua‘i, Kiwanis Club of Kaua‘i, the Kaua‘i Economic Development Board, as a trustee for the State of Hawai‘i Deferred Compensation Plan, and more. She has also served as a coach for Kaua‘i High School Varsity Girls Soccer, Waimea High School Cross Country, and is an alumni of the Leadership Kaua‘i program and Pacific Century Fellows.
“I am humbled and honored to continue serving the County of Kaua‘i, and I am grateful to Mayor Kawakami, my family, and our entire team of county associates for this opportunity to make a difference in our community,” said Matsuyama. “Thank you, also, to Managing Director Dahilig for his guidance and help in making this a smooth transition for our office and staff. I look forward to expanding the great progress that has been made within the Department of Finance throughout our County as a whole.”
Matsuyama will be sworn in as Managing Director on August 7, 2023.
###