The Board of Directors of the Research Corporation of the University of Hawai‘i is pleased to announce the appointment of Leonard R. Gouveia, Jr., JD, as RCUH’s new Executive Director, effective July 1, 2020.

Mr. Gouveia has been affiliated with the University of Hawai‘i for over 15 years, where he began his career as a contracts specialist in the Office of Research Services.  He then served in an RCUH position as a Technical Partnership and Development Specialist at the Hawai‘i Space Flight Laboratory, a program of the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, where he gained valuable experience managing a complex $40+ million project with unique administrative, contractual and legal issues.  Mr. Gouveia was then engaged by the Vice President for Research to establish the University’s first Office of Export Controls in addition to assuming the role of Facility Security Officer, a position held previously by President David Lassner. He subsequently served as the Interim Assistant VP/Director of Research Compliance and currently serves as the Director of the Office of Research Services.

He received his B.S. degree from Chaminade University and Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law.  Prior to his University career, Mr. Gouveia was a practicing attorney with an emphasis on insurance defense litigation.

RCUH Board Chair Donna Ikeda commented:

We believe Lenny’s familiarity with the University of Hawai‘i, RCUH, state government, and the federal government will allow him to hit the ground running. He understands the critical role RCUH plays in supporting the research enterprise. We look forward to working with him as he leads RCUH to greater success in the future.

The Board also extends its thanks and appreciation to Dr. Sylvia Yuen, the current Executive Director, for her five years of dedicated service.  Our best wishes on her retirement at the end of June!