The Hawaii Tourism Authority has elected Honolulu attorney Richard Fried as state tourism agency’s new chairman.
Fried replaces Aaron Sala who had been chairman since 2014, and a board member from 2011.
HTA board of directors also voted to keep Craig Nakamura and Lorrie Stone as vice chairs.
Fried is founding member of Honolulu law firm Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks.
"This is an exciting time for the HTA as we begin a new chapter for the agency, and I am pleased that Rick will be our chairperson for the board of directors and Craig and Lorrie will continue as our vice chairs," George Szigeti, recently appointed HTA president and CEO.
Fried has served on the HTA board since 2012.
He has been a practicing attorney for 40 years and a former president of the Hawaii Association for Justice.
"As a well-established member of the community, Rick will provide a different perspective for our organization and help us to better gauge the community at large as we continue to balance the needs of the state and the visitor industry," said Szigeti.
