DAGS Hires Director for Newly Created NASED Leadership Role

HONOLULU - The state of Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) has hired Craig S. McGinnis as Special Projects Director for the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District (NASED) project. McGinnis brings more than two decades of experience in real estate development, infrastructure and capital improvement projects in the public and private sectors.

DAGS created this position to manage this specific, complex, high-visibility state real estate development, which is a public-private partnership and major capital improvement project.

"We recognized the importance of reducing state reliance on external private consultants," said Keith Regan, DAGS director and state comptroller, who is also serving as acting Lieutenant Governor. "This dedicated resource will bring greater focus, save the state money on third party vendors and streamline the development process for this highly complex effort."

The Special Projects Director will manage NASED's construction and final delivery, while also tracking its capital improvement budget, reviewing contract amendments and evaluating financial impacts. The position also requires the director to be a liaison and a trust-builder between DAGS and diverse public agencies, legislative committees and community stakeholders.

These are all skills McGinnis has developed throughout his career in both the public and private sectors. Most recently, as Director of Capital Improvements for the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority, he oversaw planning, design, procurement and construction of more than $160 million in state capital projects. His previous experience includes leading major private-sector real estate developments, managing complex public-private partnerships and bringing projects from initial planning and financial analysis through construction, delivery and operations.

"I'm thrilled to bring the culmination of my professional experience to DAGS," McGinnis said. "It's an honor to have a hand in guiding this legacy project that will benefit our community for generations to come."

McGinnis holds an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

A former U.S. Army officer, he is active in the community, currently serving on the board of directors of the Institute for Human Services. McGinnis has lived in Hawaiʻi for almost 20 years.