April 8, 2025

We are excited to invite you to our April luncheon at Mangiamo by 604, where we are hosting Bennett Misalucha,Executive Director, Workplace Development Council, State of Hawaii, Kelly Ueoka,President of Pacxa, Former Workplace Development Council Member and our panel moderator Cheryl Cross,Executive Search Consultant, Inkinen

Bennette Misalucha, Executive Director, Workforce Development Council, State of Hawaii

Bennette Misalucha is a business leader and former Hawaii State Senator, where she focused on economic development, workforce policy, and public service. She spent over 16 years in banking, rising to Senior Vice President at Central Pacific Bank, and previously worked in media as a television reporter and news producer for KHON2 and in her home country of the Philippines.

Now serving as Executive Director of the Workforce Development Council (WDC) for the State of Hawaii, Bennette leads efforts to strengthen workforce pipelines, engage employers, and support Hawaii’s economic growth.

Kelly J. Ueoka, President, Pacxa

Kelly J. Ueoka is the President of Pacxa, Hawaii’s leading technology provider, supporting over 400 commercial, government, and nonprofit organizations. With 20 years of experience in IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital transformation, he has led efforts to modernize technology systems and strengthen cyber resilience across the state.

Kelly was instrumental in launching the TRUE Esports + Tech Lab, a community-based initiative providing technology training and STEM career pathways. He also serves on the boards of Blood Bank of Hawaii, Parents And Children Together (PACT), and the TRUE Initiative.

Moderator Biography: Cheryl A. Cross is a workforce development councilwoman and executive board member for the State of Hawaii and serves as co-chair of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. She is a 20-year recruiting veteran with a specialized focus in the DoD contracting space. Currently, she is a senior consultant for Inkinen in Honolulu, Hawaii, leading their government executive search efforts.

Cheryl has created niche workforce and talent programs supporting Fortune 500 to 8A and nonprofit companies and is recognized as an expert in developing, attracting, and recruiting highly cleared technical talent in the Indo-Pacific AOR.

She is the author of the bestseller Civilian Mission: The 3-Year Guide for Military Professionals Planning Civilian Careers and the host of the Military to Civilian Career Transition Power Hour podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

Host or Publisher AFCEA Hawaii