Pacific Business News named 15 Power Leaders, who are featured in their Book of Lists — business leaders they thought might make the biggest impact on Hawai‘i over the next 10 years. Read the full article, HERE, (subscription required). See below reprint about Outrigger’s president and CEO, Jeff Wagoner.
Jeff Wagoner, President and CEO, Outrigger Hospitality Group
How he leads: Boldly, Wagoner continues to invest in Hawaii, its people and visitors while expanding this Hawaii-born hospitality brand to the world.
Who or what inspires you? I’m inspired by the promise of new opportunities; each day we have the potential for growth and learning – a chance to challenge oneself, explore new areas and develop new skills. Fresh experiences and challenges can be both rewarding and fulfilling while inspiring a sense of excitement and motivation.
What are you most excited to accomplish in 2023? For 2023, Outrigger is leaning into our bold mission of being the premier beach resort company in the world – elevating our iconic beach brand with five new resorts located in Hawaii, Thailand and the Maldives, alongside innovative technology and fresh branding. We’re reinvesting $250 million into our current Hawaii assets and have a robust pipeline of projects in the Islands, as well as other international beach destinations. There’s a lot to do and I’m excited about all of it.
What advantages and disadvantages do you anticipate Hawaii businesses will face in the next decade? Hawaii will always have the advantage of being a desired location, which helps to attract business and tourism dollars. However, one disadvantage of being an island community is our susceptibility to the effects of climate change. I’m passionate about being proactive to help preserve and protect our shorelines for future generations and working with leaders in this space to find sustainable solutions.