Gary Nakata promoted to Executive Vice President of Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union
Controller and Legal Counsel Gary Nakata was promoted to Executive Vice President of Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union (Hawaii Central). The announcement was made by Hawaii Central on May 1.
HONOLULU, HI (May 2, 2023) — Controller and Legal Counsel Gary Nakata was promoted to Executive Vice President of Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union (Hawaii Central). The announcement was made by Hawaii Central on May 1.
When asked about his promotion, Nakata said, “It’s an honor and a privilege to work under the leadership of Drake [Tanabe] who has spent many years at the helm, fostering a culture still firmly based in the credit union movement. That is people helping people.”
A Hawaii local, Nakata attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance. He also graduated from the American Bankers Association’s Compliance School. Nakata has earned his Credit Union Compliance Expert designation and holds certifications as a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Credit Union Executive, and in Certified Financial Management (CFM).
Nakata worked as an Examiner with the National Credit Union Administration, served as Senior Vice President of Finance for Hickam Federal Credit Union, as well as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union (Aloha Pacific).
In addition to a solid foundation in finance, having received his Juris Doctor degree in 1995 from McGeorge School of Law, Nakata has been a practicing attorney for almost three decades. Early in his career as a practicing attorney, Nakata headed the Enlisted Advisory Council for his unit in the Hawaii Air National Guard. He also provided advisement on significant legal and regulatory compliance matters while serving as Chief Financial Officer of Aloha Pacific. Nakata practiced privately with the Kobayashi, Sugita and Goda law firm before his appointment with the City and County of Honolulu as a Deputy Corporation Counsel and later as the Director of the Department of Community Services.
Nakata also remains engaged in his community, currently serving on the Government Affairs Committee with the Hawaii Credit Union League and has served his community in several other volunteer capacities over the course of his career.
Nakata’s professional experience speaks for itself. He is a team player who has gained the trust of the community he serves many times over.
About Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union
Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union is currently recognized by FORBES as one of the top three Credit Unions in the State of Hawaii. Founded in 1937, Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution serving over 17,000 members and has over $300 million in assets. Membership is open to all individuals who live, work, worship or attend school on Oahu. Businesses and other legal entities on the island are also eligible for membership.
