We are pleased to announce that Francis Choe has joined Hawaii Employers Council as its Director of External Affairs.

In this new role, Francis is responsible for facilitating the Council's involvement in government and external affairs, monitoring state and federal employment and labor laws, and providing information for HEC staff and members on business opportunities and potential impacts to organizations' operations. He will also manage the communications and public relations for the Council.

Francis has over a decade of experience working in various public policy and strategic communications roles for Hawaii businesses and elected officials. Most recently, he served as Senior Manager of Government & Community Affairs at Hawaiian Telcom for nearly four years, where he helped manage the company's legislative, advocacy, and community partnerships programs, including helping to launch the Mālama Hours program, which provided employees 40 hours of work time a year to volunteer in the community for an impactful cause or organization. Prior to his time at Hawaiian Telcom, he worked as an Account Supervisor for Pang Communications, Senior Advisor to Honolulu Councilmember Trevor Ozawa, and Special Assistant to Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui.

Francis has an MBA from Syracuse University, a MA in Communications & Leadership from Gonzaga University, and a BA in Communications from the University of Hawaii.

Welcome, Francis!