Hawaiʻi County Managing Director Lee Lord has announced that he will retire at the end of the year to assist in caring for aging family members on the mainland.

Lord has been with the County of Hawaiʻi for 15 years, serving the last three as Managing Director under Mayor Mitch Roth. Prior to serving as Managing Director, he was the Business Manager for the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney and a Vehicle License and Registration Division Manager.

In a statement Lord said, “Leaving the County and Island of Hawaiʻi was never something my wife and I ever considered. We love this place. It’s our home where we raised our children and built our community. However, we were faced with a difficult decision, and in the same spirit of aloha that has helped shape who we are today, we must choose ʻohana over everything else. I am proud to have had the opportunity to serve this community alongside Mayor Roth and look forward to seeing the island become more sustainable under his leadership moving forward.”

Managing Director Lord’s last day will be December 29, 2023. Finance Director Deanna Sako will be recommended to succeed him. Deanna, who has been with the County of Hawaiʻi for 24 years and has served as Finance Director for eight years. will begin her interim role as Managing Director on December 30, 2023. Her permanent appointment is contingent on Council confirmation.