Executive Profiles
Chris Erice, Executive President
cerice@hawaii.edu
Chris Erice is a senior at the University of Hawaii at Manoa majoring in Management Information Systems (MIS) and Finance. He has been involved with the American Marketing Association at UH Manoa for two years and has served on the executive board for three consecutive semesters. Chris is returning as President for his final semester at UH Manoa where he will also be working as a teaching assistant for the Computer and Data Systems course, and committee member of Business Night. Chris graduated from Moanalua High School. He plans to earn an MBA to help him achieve his career goal of working for a Fortune 500 company, utilizing his skills in finance and information technology. Chris is a member of the honor societies Beta Gamma Sigma, Golden Key International Honor Society, and Phi Theta Kappa. Prior to joining the AMA Executive Board, Chris worked as an accountant for the technology start up company Ezrez Software. He later worked for Stephen Callo, CPA as a Junior Accountant. While attending UH Manoa, he was a teaching assistant for the Programming Application Systems course and interned for the Boeing Company as a Project Manager in Seattle, Washington.
Jocelyn Kaku, Executive Vice President
jkaku@hawaii.edu
Jocelyn Kaku is the Executive Vice President, in charge of managing the membership base and active status of the chapter’s members. She also oversees the Vice Presidents of the Chapter, manages alumni relations and helps the President with the Chapter Plan and Annual Report. She has been a member of the AMA UH Manoa chapter since Spring 2009 and served as the VP of Professional Development in the Fall 2009 semester.
Jocelyn is a senior, double-majoring in Marketing and International Business. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a Japan-focused MBA degree.
Jocelyn has interned for Polynesian Adventure Tours, creating and analyzing customer and agent surveys, assembling website content and developing promotions. She is currently interning for Interisland Terminal, a local non-profit organization dedicated to creating a community of contemporary art. She also has four years of retail sales and customer service experience, working part-time at Abercrombie & Fitch at Ala Moana.
Kayla-Marie Aboy, VP of Finance
kmaboy@hawaii.edu
As the Vice President of Finance, Kayla will be responsible for maintaining the financial aspect of the organization. She will be responsible for handling financial transactions, preparing preliminary semester budgets, monitoring the budgets, reconciling financial statements, maintaining AMA’s non-profit status with the federal and local government, and filing federal and local tax forms. Kayla will be making sure that the organization is in a good financial position. Kayla is a junior and has been a part of the American Marketing Association since Fall 2009. She graduated from Maui High School and is now pursuing a BBA in Marketing and Management at the University of Hawaii. Kayla has served as the historian and special events committee coordinator for the UH Katipunan Club for two semesters. She has been employed with Old Navy for the past year and a half. Kayla is currently an intern in the public relations department at the Sheraton Waikiki. In the future, Kayla would like to work in advertising and public relations.
Kirstin Seal, VP of Fundraising
seal@hawaii.edu
As the Vice President of Fundraising, Kirstin is in charge of organizing and managing all events that pertain to the profitability of AMA. She is responsible for establishing the fundraising goals and making sure that the club exceeds all expectations and provides its members with exciting activities in the future. She will be working closely with the VP of Finance by exchanging ideas for profitable target revenue to be met in each event. Kirstin is a Junior, and has been a part of the American Marketing Association since Fall 2009. She graduated in 2007 from Lowell High School in San Francisco, and is now working towards her BA in the Psychology of Marketing in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program. Prior to moving to Hawaii for school, she interned at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, a brokerage firm in San Francisco for two summers. She has three years of experience in Tahitian dancing, and has just recently joined the Tahitian dance group Ia Ora O Tahiti Nui in the Fall of 2009, and will be training for future competitions. She has also trained in the art of Kung Fu for ten years and has achieved the level of First Degree Black Belt. As for the future, Kirstin wishes to pursue a mix of advertising and the psychology behind consumerism.
Michael Rohrbacher, VP of Promotions
mkr@hawaii.edu
As the Vice President of Promotions, Michael is in charge of producing and designing promotional materials including flyers, posters, tickets, T-shirts, and other media for recruitment or promotional events. He also maintains the AMA-UHM website, online calendar, Facebook / Twitter account, bulletin board, and display board. This is Michael’s second semester with AMA and his first semester serving as the VP of Promotions. He graduated from Castle High School, and is currently pursing a BA in Creative Media at the University of Hawaii. Upon graduation, Michael hopes to have a successful career in the film industry working as an editor. Currently, Michael works as a service technician for Honda Windward. In Michael’s free time, he enjoys spending time with his friends, eating out, and working on cars. Michael is very excited to be working with the other executive board member in making this semester AMA’s best.
Muhayla Dobbs, VP of Professional Development
muhayla@hawaii.edu
As the Vice President of Professional Development, Muhayla’s roles include coordinating programs with professionals that will enhance members professionalism, skills, and confidence when entering the workforce. As VP of Professional Development and working closely with the VP of Programs, she is responsible for setting up company tours, professional workshops, guest speakers, and Professional mixers which allows members to interact with Professionals and make connections for the future. Muhayla has been with AMA since the Fall of 2009. Muhayla is currently a junior pursuing a BBA in Marketing. She received her AA degree in Liberal Arts from Kapiolani Community College, and remained on the Dean’s list for two consecutive years. She has been part of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society since 2006, and have been published in the “Who’s Who among American College Students”. Muhayla has volunteered at “Sea Life Park” in 2009 and worked with children at the Kako’Ako homeless center in 2008-09. She also has been offered a paid intern-ship with Geico in their marketing and events department and will start this Summer 2010. As for future aspirations, Muhayla hopes to pursue a career in Public Relations or Advertising, and further her education by pursuing an MBA in Law.
Ayako Ishiwari, Executive Assistant
ishiwari@hawaii.edu
Native Japanese resident, Ayako Ishiwari is the current Executive Assistant. She is a Marketing major originally form Japan and attended Kasukabe Kyoei (Japan) & James B. Castle High School. Her responsibilities within the organization include, insuring that AMA’s events are organized such as, reserving classrooms, tables and seats for events. In addition, Ayako assists other VPs where needed. Ayako has been a part of the American Marketing Association since Fall 2008 and is now serving on the Executive Board for the first semester. She interns at Innov8 LLC and assists in Marketing research, strategic planning, and product development. When Ayako is not serving on the Executive Board of the American Marketing Association you can find her as an active Beta Beta Gamma Sorority sister or playing piano. She plans on using her first language (Japanese) in her future career endeavors.
Michael Amado, VP of Student Relations
mamado@hawaii.edu
As the Vice President of Student Relations, Michael coordinates the social activities with the intent of building and maintaining student relationships. He is responsible for coordinating the orientation picnic and organizing an overnight retreat. His primary goal is to coordinate programs designed to foster teamwork and create a sense of belonging. Mike joined AMA in Spring 2008 and stood out as a proud and devoted member, making him the longest running member in AMA He grew up in Connecticut and is now pursuing a BBA in Marketing at the University of Hawaii and plans to get a career in the field of marketing in advertising, public relations, or brand promotions. Mike currently works at the Old Spaghetti Factory and in his free time is, most likely, either hanging out with friends or watching sports. He is extremely friendly and easy to talk to if you ever need help with anything. He also enjoys going to many UH sponsored events and big parties with many of his acquaintances. Mike is looking forward to making friends with everyone in his last semester at UHM and celebrating with all of them at Climax.
Kelli Murata, VP of Communications
muratak@hawaii.edu
As the Vice President of Communications, Kelli is AMA’s Inter-Business Council (IBC) Senator who serves as the liaison between AMA, IBC and other business clubs. Kelli also maintains the chapter constitution, correspondence files and records minute for the Executive Board and general membership meetings. She also sends out weekly emails about upcoming events to general members and alumni. Kelli joined AMA in Fall 2009 and dedicated her time and efforts to the club. She graduated from Moanalua High School and is now at the University of Hawaii pursuing a Marketing degree. After graduation, Kelli plans to move to the mainland to become an Executive Marketer. She is currently working on campus in Hamilton Library for the Inter-library Loans department.
Katie Decker, VP of Programs
kdecker@hawaii.edu
As Vice President of Programs, Kate’s responsibilities within the organization include coordinating programs and events to establish the goodwill of AMAUHM in the community and to enhance members’ involvement within it. In addition, Kate assists the Vice President of Professional Development in coordinating professional mixers, company tours, guest speakers, and workshops. Kate has been involved with AMA since Spring 2009 and this is her second semester on the Executive Board. Originally from New York, Kate graduated from Fairport High School and earned Associates degrees in both Liberal Arts and Business from Monroe Community College. She is now a senior pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Hawaii. Upon graduating, she hopes to become an executive in brand management and advertising for Lancôme in New York City while continuing her education, working towards an MBA in Marketing. Currently, Kate is working as a freelance makeup artist for Lancôme where she works with celebrity artists from around the US promoting the brand and giving personal client consultations. In 2006, she volunteered at Maplewood Estates, a retirement community in NY, where she planned, organized, and worked a fundraising event for a family in need. She earned a Service Learning distinction in 2008 for fulfilling more than 220 hours of service learning at Monroe Community College working with their Campus Association for Student Activities. With all of her past marketing experience, and respect for the environment, she is making strides to bring AMA to the forefront of environmental responsibility in marketing and leadership in the Shidler College of Business.