Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has appointed Ben Sullivan as executive director and chief resilience officer for the Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency. 

What You Need To Know

  • Ben Sullivan started his new position on Tuesday, replacing former CCSR head Matthew Gonser, who stepped down for family reasons
  • Sullivan had served as CCSR deputy director since June 2023 and previously worked as an energy program manager in the department and energy and sustainability coordinator for the Kauai Office of Economic Development
  • Gonser, the outgoing chief resilience officer, will continue to work in the area of resilience and sustainability with the Los Angeles Chief Sustainability Office

Sullivan started his new position on Tuesday, replacing former CCSR head Matthew Gonser, who stepped down for family reasons.

“Ben Sullivan has proven to be a strong leader with remarkable knowledge, ability, and vision,” said Blangiardi said. “I look forward to all the ways he will continue to collaborate with our team and with our many community partners to advance the great work that Matthew Gonser and the office have put into motion over the last four years.”

Sullivan had served as CCSR deputy director since June 2023 and previously worked as an energy program manager in the department and energy and sustainability coordinator for the Kauai Office of Economic Development. He holds a degree in environmental design from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

“There are many challenges ahead for Oahu as we build our resilience to climate impacts and realize a cleaner and more affordable energy future for our residents,” Sullivan said. “I am honored to work for Mayor Blangiardi in this new capacity and with the talented team he has assembled. Even more so, I am humbled to work with the dedicated staff across the City and County, and the people of Oahu as we all create a more resilient future together.”

Gonser, the outgoing chief resilience officer, will continue to work in the area of resilience and sustainability with the Los Angeles Chief Sustainability Office.

“With his passion and dedication to the work, Matt helped the city lay a solid foundation to prepare for the increasing climate change risks that we face today and into the future,” Blangiardi said.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.