LINDA LINGLE FORMER GOVERNOR OF HAWAII MONDAY
2015 – 2016 CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, ILLINOIS 2002 - 2006 GOVERNOR, HAWAII 1990 - 1998 MAYOR, MAUI COUNTY 1980 - 1990 COUNCILWOMAN, MAUI CITY COUNCIL
Linda Lingle is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. She moved to Hawaii in 1975 after graduating cum laude with a journalism degree from California State University, Northridge. In 1976, she founded and served as editor and publisher of the Molokai Free Press. She first served the people of Hawaii from 1980 to 1990 as a member of the Maui County Council, including six years representing the island of Molokai. In 1990, she was elected Mayor of Maui County and served two four-year terms. Lingle became Governor of Hawaii in 2002, committed to bringing about a “New Beginning” for Hawaii by making state government more transparent, responsive, and accountable. She was reelected to a second fouryear term in November 2006. Lingle’s administration sought to improve Hawaii residents’ unique quality of life and protect the state’s natural resources by reducing the economy’s over-dependence on land development. Toward this end, Lingle launched the Hawaii Innovation Initiative to develop the capacity of residents and businesses to innovate with the goal of enabling the state to compete in the global economy of the 21st century and create new, higherpaying jobs. Lingle also pursued greater energy independence, targeted tax relief, an increase in Hawaii’s homegrown food supply and security, workforce development, expansion of quality health care, creation of more affordable housing, modernization of the transportation infrastructure, and bolstering of public safety and disaster preparedness. For more information about Linda Lingle, please click here.