Meet The Team
Jean Santos
- Honolulu, HI
- Los Angeles, CA
Jean Santos, a founding member of Business Consulting Resources (BCR), works with clients across diverse areas including human resources, organizational development, strategic planning, executive coaching, and more. Her extensive expertise spans family-owned businesses, private corporations, not-for-profit organizations, and government agencies.
With over 40 years of experience, Jean has become a trusted advisor to Hawaii corporations and family enterprises, focusing on organizational development, strategic planning, market strategies, human resources, team building, and leadership development.
Born and raised on O’ahu, Jean launched her consulting career after earning a B.A. and a Master of Arts in Communication and Organizational Development from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her dedication to professional standards is underscored by her Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation from the Institute of Management Consultants USA, a certification earned by fewer than 1% of consultants globally. Jean also holds ISO 20700 certification, which guides consultants and firms to the highest standards in delivering quality consulting services. She is well-versed in multiple assessment tools, including DiSC, FIRO-B, MBTI, and the Family Enterprise Assessment Tool.
A recognized expert in team development and implementing strategy and innovation, Jean frequently assists clients with performance management and coaching, team building, training and development, motivation and incentives, internal communication structures, and conflict resolution. Her executive coaching experience includes guiding leaders in team building and successor development, enhancing personal and team performance, and crafting and implementing business strategies.
In BCR’s family business practice, Jean plays a pivotal role in the firm’s biennial family business research, a project BCR has been conducting since 2017. She also spearheads the development and growth of Women Leaders in Family Enterprises (WLife), a nonprofit organization supporting women in family businesses as they navigate leadership roles, overcome challenges, and address biases often present even in family-owned enterprises.
Jean embodies the entrepreneurial spirit, understanding that business leaders care deeply about both bottom-line results and the methods used to achieve them. Her approach emphasizes objectivity, innovation, and a willingness to challenge the status quo, helping her clients thrive in the face of trends, obstacles, and roadblocks.
Jean has long been active in the local business community. She is a past member of the Board of Business Advisors for the Nu’uanu YMCA, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and the Board of Easter Seals Hawaii. She served as President of the Parent Faculty Association at Punahou School and remains an active member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and the Institute of Management Consultants.
Jean and her husband, Ken Gilbert, have twins, Kyler and Miranda, both Punahou School alumni who have excelled academically and professionally. Kyler, a UCLA business economics and communication graduate, joined BCR in 2023 and is completing his MBA at UCLA Anderson School of Business. Miranda, a political science graduate of LMU, holds two master’s degrees from The New School, in literature/gender studies and media and brand management, and is a Marketing Manager with LJA New Media.
Jean Santos
- Honolulu, HI
- Los Angeles, CA
Jean Santos, a founding member of Business Consulting Resources (BCR), works with clients across diverse areas including human resources, organizational development, strategic planning, executive coaching, and more. Her extensive expertise spans family-owned businesses, private corporations, not-for-profit organizations, and government agencies.
With over 40 years of experience, Jean has become a trusted advisor to Hawaii corporations and family enterprises, focusing on organizational development, strategic planning, market strategies, human resources, team building, and leadership development.
Born and raised on O’ahu, Jean launched her consulting career after earning a B.A. and a Master of Arts in Communication and Organizational Development from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her dedication to professional standards is underscored by her Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation from the Institute of Management Consultants USA, a certification earned by fewer than 1% of consultants globally. Jean also holds ISO 20700 certification, which guides consultants and firms to the highest standards in delivering quality consulting services. She is well-versed in multiple assessment tools, including DiSC, FIRO-B, MBTI, and the Family Enterprise Assessment Tool.
A recognized expert in team development and implementing strategy and innovation, Jean frequently assists clients with performance management and coaching, team building, training and development, motivation and incentives, internal communication structures, and conflict resolution. Her executive coaching experience includes guiding leaders in team building and successor development, enhancing personal and team performance, and crafting and implementing business strategies.
In BCR’s family business practice, Jean plays a pivotal role in the firm’s biennial family business research, a project BCR has been conducting since 2017. She also spearheads the development and growth of Women Leaders in Family Enterprises (WLife), a nonprofit organization supporting women in family businesses as they navigate leadership roles, overcome challenges, and address biases often present even in family-owned enterprises.
Jean embodies the entrepreneurial spirit, understanding that business leaders care deeply about both bottom-line results and the methods used to achieve them. Her approach emphasizes objectivity, innovation, and a willingness to challenge the status quo, helping her clients thrive in the face of trends, obstacles, and roadblocks.
Jean has long been active in the local business community. She is a past member of the Board of Business Advisors for the Nu’uanu YMCA, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and the Board of Easter Seals Hawaii. She served as President of the Parent Faculty Association at Punahou School and remains an active member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and the Institute of Management Consultants.
Jean and her husband, Ken Gilbert, have twins, Kyler and Miranda, both Punahou School alumni who have excelled academically and professionally. Kyler, a UCLA business economics and communication graduate, joined BCR in 2023 and is completing his MBA at UCLA Anderson School of Business. Miranda, a political science graduate of LMU, holds two master’s degrees from The New School, in literature/gender studies and media and brand management, and is a Marketing Manager with LJA New Media.
- Honolulu, HI
- Los Angeles, CA
KENNETH M. GILBERT
- Honolulu, HI
- Los Angeles, CA
A long-term Hawaii resident, Ken is a co-founder of Business Consulting Resources (BCR). He brings BCR’s clients over 40 years of consulting experience working with diverse industries, firms, and family-owned companies. BCR has grown over the past 40 plus years having built consulting teams focused on Hawaii, California, and other markets in the U.S.
Under Ken’s leadership, BCR has consulted with well over 400 Hawaii, mainland and international companies in diverse areas including: succession and transition planning and implementation; strategic planning; strategic partnering; financial management; human resources; mergers and acquisitions; commercial real estate; new business development; life coaching; career transition coaching and leadership development.
Prior to co-founding BCR in 1981, Ken founded his own Life Insurance Agency in Hawaii and expanded that Company into a real estate and development firm, growing the Company to over 40 employees. Ken has owned and operated other diverse businesses throughout his career.
Ken is a management consultant and coach to many CEOs and senior executives in a number of industries including: maritime industry, distribution, banking and finance, insurance, real estate, retail, construction, manufacturing, government and military, and the visitor industry. He works with corporate executives in diverse areas which include strategy development and implementation, leadership skill development and building and creating effective teams. Ken is also known as a Life Coach, notably guiding individual clients of all ages in creating Life Plans, which give them a map for achieving their life goals and dreams.
As Hawaii’s premier Family Business Consultant, Ken is the past Chair of the Advisory Board of the UH Shidler Family Business Center of Hawaii, which is one of the top-ranked family business centers in the U.S. BCR is one of the major sponsors of the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management Steinbeck Family Business Program in Los Angeles. BCR is also a strategic partner with Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in Los Angeles, and working with LMU created and assists in operating and building the LMU Entrepreneurial Family Business Center.
Ken embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and learned early on that providing an objective and high-level perspective to BCR clients is the key to the firm’s long-term success. By instilling this characteristic with BCR’s clients, BCR has given clients the ability to navigate any trend, obstacle, or roadblock to success they may face.
Ken earned a B.S.B.A. in Personnel and Employee Relations, and a Master of Science in Business and Governmental Relations and International Business from the American University in Washington D.C.
Ken is active in the Hawaii business community and has served on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, the Hawaii State Art Museum and numerous other for and not-for-profit organizations. Ken is very involved with the Family Business Center of Hawaii and was a past chair of this organization’s board of directors and has served on the board for many years. Ken is a past-president of the Metropolitan Rotary Club of Honolulu and has served several terms as a member of the Club’s Board of Directors. Ken is a volunteer faculty member at Punahou School, and also taught at the University of Hawaii and Hawaii Pacific University for over 10 years.
Ken is married to Jean Santos. They have twins, Kyler and Miranda, who both graduated from Punahou School. Kyler is a 2020 graduate of UCLA with a double major bachelor’s degree in business economics and communication. He is currently pursuing an MBA at UCLA Anderson School of Business, with an expected completion in 2025. Kyler joined BCR full time in May 2023 and is part of the succession plan for the company and the family. Miranda earned her bachelors in political science in 2020 from LMU, and, in 2022, her master’s in literature and gender studies at The New School in New York City. She is currently working on a second master’s at The New School, in media and brand management and is pursuing a career in media and brand management. She will complete the second masters in 2024. Miranda works for The New School as well as Orbis Terra Media, a Swiss-based media company.
KENNETH M. GILBERT
- Honolulu, HI
- Los Angeles, CA
A long-term Hawaii resident, Ken is a co-founder of Business Consulting Resources (BCR). He brings BCR’s clients over 40 years of consulting experience working with diverse industries, firms, and family-owned companies. BCR has grown over the past 40 plus years having built consulting teams focused on Hawaii, California, and other markets in the U.S.
Under Ken’s leadership, BCR has consulted with well over 400 Hawaii, mainland and international companies in diverse areas including: succession and transition planning and implementation; strategic planning; strategic partnering; financial management; human resources; mergers and acquisitions; commercial real estate; new business development; life coaching; career transition coaching and leadership development.
Prior to co-founding BCR in 1981, Ken founded his own Life Insurance Agency in Hawaii and expanded that Company into a real estate and development firm, growing the Company to over 40 employees. Ken has owned and operated other diverse businesses throughout his career.
Ken is a management consultant and coach to many CEOs and senior executives in a number of industries including: maritime industry, distribution, banking and finance, insurance, real estate, retail, construction, manufacturing, government and military, and the visitor industry. He works with corporate executives in diverse areas which include strategy development and implementation, leadership skill development and building and creating effective teams. Ken is also known as a Life Coach, notably guiding individual clients of all ages in creating Life Plans, which give them a map for achieving their life goals and dreams.
As Hawaii’s premier Family Business Consultant, Ken is the past Chair of the Advisory Board of the UH Shidler Family Business Center of Hawaii, which is one of the top-ranked family business centers in the U.S. BCR is one of the major sponsors of the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management Steinbeck Family Business Program in Los Angeles. BCR is also a strategic partner with Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in Los Angeles, and working with LMU created and assists in operating and building the LMU Entrepreneurial Family Business Center.
Ken embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and learned early on that providing an objective and high-level perspective to BCR clients is the key to the firm’s long-term success. By instilling this characteristic with BCR’s clients, BCR has given clients the ability to navigate any trend, obstacle, or roadblock to success they may face.
Ken earned a B.S.B.A. in Personnel and Employee Relations, and a Master of Science in Business and Governmental Relations and International Business from the American University in Washington D.C.
Ken is active in the Hawaii business community and has served on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, the Hawaii State Art Museum and numerous other for and not-for-profit organizations. Ken is very involved with the Family Business Center of Hawaii and was a past chair of this organization’s board of directors and has served on the board for many years. Ken is a past-president of the Metropolitan Rotary Club of Honolulu and has served several terms as a member of the Club’s Board of Directors. Ken is a volunteer faculty member at Punahou School, and also taught at the University of Hawaii and Hawaii Pacific University for over 10 years.
Ken is married to Jean Santos. They have twins, Kyler and Miranda, who both graduated from Punahou School. Kyler is a 2020 graduate of UCLA with a double major bachelor’s degree in business economics and communication. He is currently pursuing an MBA at UCLA Anderson School of Business, with an expected completion in 2025. Kyler joined BCR full time in May 2023 and is part of the succession plan for the company and the family. Miranda earned her bachelors in political science in 2020 from LMU, and, in 2022, her master’s in literature and gender studies at The New School in New York City. She is currently working on a second master’s at The New School, in media and brand management and is pursuing a career in media and brand management. She will complete the second masters in 2024. Miranda works for The New School as well as Orbis Terra Media, a Swiss-based media company.
- Honolulu, HI
- Los Angeles, CA
As the second-generation leader of BCR, Kyler’s background is heavily steeped in consulting. He has been involved with BCR since high school and went to UCLA for his undergraduate studies where he earned a double major in economics and communications.
While at UCLA, in addition to continuing his work with BCR, Kyler started Charipay, a company designed to help people donate to non-profits, which raised $2 million of PPE for non-profits and hospitals during COVID.
After graduating, Kyler joined Capital Group, one of the largest asset management organizations in the world. He worked with the separately managed accounts team before shifting to work as an internal consultant for Capital Group’s Investment Operations department. While at Capital Group, Kyler began pursuing his MBA at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Kyler graduated with his MBA from Anderson in June of 2025.
At BCR, Kyler is the Vice President and a Consultant, managing the company across regions and sits on the BCR Family Board. Kyler works with clients across the US and internationally and specializes in working with families in business, particularly focused on succession and the next generation, growth, and family dynamics. Kyler is a certified facilitator of the Family Enterprise Assessment Tool (FEAT)®, completed the training for the Family Business Coaching Course conducted by Legacy Onward®, and is trained to utilize various leadership and behavioral assessment tools, including the Global Executive Leadership Mirror (GELM)® and Wiley DiSC Assessment®.
As the second-generation leader of BCR, Kyler’s background is heavily steeped in consulting. He has been involved with BCR since high school and went to UCLA for his undergraduate studies where he earned a double major in economics and communications.
While at UCLA, in addition to continuing his work with BCR, Kyler started Charipay, a company designed to help people donate to non-profits, which raised $2 million of PPE for non-profits and hospitals during COVID.
After graduating, Kyler joined Capital Group, one of the largest asset management organizations in the world. He worked with the separately managed accounts team before shifting to work as an internal consultant for Capital Group’s Investment Operations department. While at Capital Group, Kyler began pursuing his MBA at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Kyler graduated with his MBA from Anderson in June of 2025.
At BCR, Kyler is the Vice President and a Consultant, managing the company across regions and sits on the BCR Family Board. Kyler works with clients across the US and internationally and specializes in working with families in business, particularly focused on succession and the next generation, growth, and family dynamics. Kyler is a certified facilitator of the Family Enterprise Assessment Tool (FEAT)®, completed the training for the Family Business Coaching Course conducted by Legacy Onward®, and is trained to utilize various leadership and behavioral assessment tools, including the Global Executive Leadership Mirror (GELM)® and Wiley DiSC Assessment®.
- Honolulu, HI
- Los Angeles, CA
Laurie brings a strong background of academics, consulting and entrepreneurship to BCR. After earning a BA in Economics and an MBA from Stanford University, Laurie launched a 15-year consulting career on the East Coast with Bain & Company and Mercer Management Consulting. She managed $1 to 5 million client engagements focused on strategic planning, organization development and infrastructure alignment in a variety of industries including energy, hotel and leisure, financial services, and transportation worldwide.
Laurie returned to her home on Oahu in the mid-90s to pursue an entrepreneurial focus with smaller companies and start-up ventures. Her entrepreneurial ventures include Founder and President of Brewmoon Hawaii, CEO of hotU, Inc., an internet services start-up, Vice President of National University and COO of It’s All About Kids. In these positions she has raised private equity capital, negotiated leases and built out properties, formulated and implemented market positioning strategies, developed new product lines, re-engineered service delivery processes, formed and managed employee teams of 100+, downsized employee teams in difficult times, and acquired and merged companies. Street smart, Laurie knows the challenges and satisfaction of entrepreneurship.
At BCR, Laurie works with Hawaii CEOs and senior management teams in leadership and governance, strategic planning, and organizational effectiveness all with an emphasis on implementation and change management. She leads BCR ‘s Family Business Consulting practice and has had extensive experience consulting and working with family businesses in Hawaii. This includes working on the Family business strategy and operations as well as addressing the unique challenges of Family dynamics in family owned enterprises. Succession planning, Family Board governance, Family Business Constitution development, Family member coaching and working with Estate Planners and Financial Advisors are all area of focus when working with Families in Business.
Laurie’s strong corporate experience coupled with her entrepreneurial experience provides valuable perspectives for companies and institutions at all phases of growth.
Laurie has also been actively engaged in local boards including Hawaii Pacific Health, American Red Cross Hawaii; the Hogan’s Entrepreneur Advisory Board at Chaminade College, the Hawaii Theatre Centre, the Waikiki Swim Club, and was the YWCA Oahu Board Chair for eight years. She is currently serving on the Board of the Outrigger Canoe Club as Treasurer.
Laurie brings a strong background of academics, consulting and entrepreneurship to BCR. After earning a BA in Economics and an MBA from Stanford University, Laurie launched a 15-year consulting career on the East Coast with Bain & Company and Mercer Management Consulting. She managed $1 to 5 million client engagements focused on strategic planning, organization development and infrastructure alignment in a variety of industries including energy, hotel and leisure, financial services, and transportation worldwide.
Laurie returned to her home on Oahu in the mid-90s to pursue an entrepreneurial focus with smaller companies and start-up ventures. Her entrepreneurial ventures include Founder and President of Brewmoon Hawaii, CEO of hotU, Inc., an internet services start-up, Vice President of National University and COO of It’s All About Kids. In these positions she has raised private equity capital, negotiated leases and built out properties, formulated and implemented market positioning strategies, developed new product lines, re-engineered service delivery processes, formed and managed employee teams of 100+, downsized employee teams in difficult times, and acquired and merged companies. Street smart, Laurie knows the challenges and satisfaction of entrepreneurship.
At BCR, Laurie works with Hawaii CEOs and senior management teams in leadership and governance, strategic planning, and organizational effectiveness all with an emphasis on implementation and change management. She leads BCR ‘s Family Business Consulting practice and has had extensive experience consulting and working with family businesses in Hawaii. This includes working on the Family business strategy and operations as well as addressing the unique challenges of Family dynamics in family owned enterprises. Succession planning, Family Board governance, Family Business Constitution development, Family member coaching and working with Estate Planners and Financial Advisors are all area of focus when working with Families in Business.
Laurie’s strong corporate experience coupled with her entrepreneurial experience provides valuable perspectives for companies and institutions at all phases of growth.
Laurie has also been actively engaged in local boards including Hawaii Pacific Health, American Red Cross Hawaii; the Hogan’s Entrepreneur Advisory Board at Chaminade College, the Hawaii Theatre Centre, the Waikiki Swim Club, and was the YWCA Oahu Board Chair for eight years. She is currently serving on the Board of the Outrigger Canoe Club as Treasurer.
- Honolulu, HI
Celine was born and raised in Hawaii, and grew up with a strong tie to family values – as well as the family business founded by her parents. The Casamina family started the mortgage company, House of Finance, with the goal of helping families reach their dreams of owning a home. Celine spent summers with her siblings helping at the family business – starting at the copy machine, and working her way up to interacting with clients – and very early on was inspired by the entrepreneurial mindset and work ethic of her parents.
She has a sincere passion for launching innovative business ideas, and implementing processes for sustainable growth. Celine has had experience working in Hawaii’s startup economy, leading the business development efforts of a freshly-launched app which was accepted into the cohort of a premier startup incubator, then moving on to provide assistance to other startup ventures in Hawaii.
Prior to joining BCR, Celine was actively involved in the launch of one of Hawaii’s first coworking spaces, leading the Hawaii division of a larger Southern California based operation. Through this role she gained extensive experience in property and construction management, sales and business operations, detailed tracking of metrics and deliverables, and the ability to work with an extremely diverse clientele base. Through her experiences in the startup sector, she has become proficient in managing the full process of a project from ideation to implementation to management and tracking.
Celine uses her expertise at BCR to help with various clients across the private, public, and non-profit sectors in their Strategic Planning, Leadership Succession and Development, and Operational efforts.
Celine has studied at the University of San Francisco, and the American Business School of Paris, and holds a degree in Marketing and Management from the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. While she loves traveling and learning about other cultures, practices, and markets, Celine is proud to call Hawaii home, and she is committed to contributing to its unique community.
In her spare time, Celine volunteers at various nonprofit organizations, such as Sustainable Coastlines, and finds relaxation in the form of hiking, yoga, and being in the ocean.
Celine was born and raised in Hawaii, and grew up with a strong tie to family values – as well as the family business founded by her parents. The Casamina family started the mortgage company, House of Finance, with the goal of helping families reach their dreams of owning a home. Celine spent summers with her siblings helping at the family business – starting at the copy machine, and working her way up to interacting with clients – and very early on was inspired by the entrepreneurial mindset and work ethic of her parents.
She has a sincere passion for launching innovative business ideas, and implementing processes for sustainable growth. Celine has had experience working in Hawaii’s startup economy, leading the business development efforts of a freshly-launched app which was accepted into the cohort of a premier startup incubator, then moving on to provide assistance to other startup ventures in Hawaii.
Prior to joining BCR, Celine was actively involved in the launch of one of Hawaii’s first coworking spaces, leading the Hawaii division of a larger Southern California based operation. Through this role she gained extensive experience in property and construction management, sales and business operations, detailed tracking of metrics and deliverables, and the ability to work with an extremely diverse clientele base. Through her experiences in the startup sector, she has become proficient in managing the full process of a project from ideation to implementation to management and tracking.
Celine uses her expertise at BCR to help with various clients across the private, public, and non-profit sectors in their Strategic Planning, Leadership Succession and Development, and Operational efforts.
Celine has studied at the University of San Francisco, and the American Business School of Paris, and holds a degree in Marketing and Management from the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. While she loves traveling and learning about other cultures, practices, and markets, Celine is proud to call Hawaii home, and she is committed to contributing to its unique community.
In her spare time, Celine volunteers at various nonprofit organizations, such as Sustainable Coastlines, and finds relaxation in the form of hiking, yoga, and being in the ocean.
- Honolulu, HI
- Los Angeles, CA
After over 25 years in the Hawaii financial and banking industry, Paul Felix joined Business Consulting Resources as a Consultant. Paul uses his business, finance and banking skills, and great understanding of the Hawaii business scene to help Hawaii business owners develop and implement various strategies to help them achieve their business goals.
In addition to joining the BCR team as a Consultant, Paul is a Certified Business Appraiser (“CBA”) from the Institute of Business Appraisers (“IBA”) which was established in 1978 and is the oldest professional society devoted solely to the appraisal of closely-held businesses. Paul is one of the few CBA’s in Hawaii. Paul is also active in the mergers and acquisitions of companies in Hawaii.
Paul is a native of Maui, Hawaii and after graduating from Maui’s Baldwin High School, he received degrees from both University of Hawaii – Maui and University of Hawaii – Hilo with a concentration in business, finance and accounting. He also graduated with Honors from the Barret School of Banking in Memphis, TN.
Paul started his banking career in 1991 with Norwest Financial as credit manager on Maui, then beginning in 1994 he was recruited by Bank of America as AVP and Branch Manager when they opened their new location in Wailuku’s Sack-N-Save. In 1997, Paul moved to American Savings Bank where he spent 15 very successful years as Vice President and Branch Manager and Business Relationship Manager in Kahului. Paul then moved to Central Pacific Bank, Wailuku branch in 2013 where he was Senior Banking Officer and VP working with the “Special Markets” division concentrating on dental and physician practice transitions on Maui, Big Island, Kauai and Molokai.
Paul has always been very active in the Maui community, including, as board president of the Maui Teachers Federal Credit Union and Kahului Rotary Club, treasurer of Na Hale O Maui – Community Affordable Housing Land Trust, member of the Advisory Council of the American Red Cross, board chair of Maui Food Bank, board chair and on the loan committee of Maui Economic Opportunity Business Development Corp. (“MEO”), Wailuku Junior Tennis and was named by Pacific Business News as one of the “40 under 40.”
Paul coached track for Baldwin High School and loves to spend time with his family and to play golf, run and bike.
After over 25 years in the Hawaii financial and banking industry, Paul Felix joined Business Consulting Resources as a Consultant. Paul uses his business, finance and banking skills, and great understanding of the Hawaii business scene to help Hawaii business owners develop and implement various strategies to help them achieve their business goals.
In addition to joining the BCR team as a Consultant, Paul is a Certified Business Appraiser (“CBA”) from the Institute of Business Appraisers (“IBA”) which was established in 1978 and is the oldest professional society devoted solely to the appraisal of closely-held businesses. Paul is one of the few CBA’s in Hawaii. Paul is also active in the mergers and acquisitions of companies in Hawaii.
Paul is a native of Maui, Hawaii and after graduating from Maui’s Baldwin High School, he received degrees from both University of Hawaii – Maui and University of Hawaii – Hilo with a concentration in business, finance and accounting. He also graduated with Honors from the Barret School of Banking in Memphis, TN.
Paul started his banking career in 1991 with Norwest Financial as credit manager on Maui, then beginning in 1994 he was recruited by Bank of America as AVP and Branch Manager when they opened their new location in Wailuku’s Sack-N-Save. In 1997, Paul moved to American Savings Bank where he spent 15 very successful years as Vice President and Branch Manager and Business Relationship Manager in Kahului. Paul then moved to Central Pacific Bank, Wailuku branch in 2013 where he was Senior Banking Officer and VP working with the “Special Markets” division concentrating on dental and physician practice transitions on Maui, Big Island, Kauai and Molokai.
Paul has always been very active in the Maui community, including, as board president of the Maui Teachers Federal Credit Union and Kahului Rotary Club, treasurer of Na Hale O Maui – Community Affordable Housing Land Trust, member of the Advisory Council of the American Red Cross, board chair of Maui Food Bank, board chair and on the loan committee of Maui Economic Opportunity Business Development Corp. (“MEO”), Wailuku Junior Tennis and was named by Pacific Business News as one of the “40 under 40.”
Paul coached track for Baldwin High School and loves to spend time with his family and to play golf, run and bike.
- Wailuku, Maui
John Benun is the managing director of BCR and is responsible for BCR’s consulting practice business in Los Angeles and Southern California.
John’s extensive and diverse consulting experience with business owners and their families is a key factor in assisting BCR to grow its footprint in Los Angeles and Southern California. John’s primary goal is to help business owners work through the financial and familial matters that intersect and impact the growth of their business and the strength of their families.
John has worked with business owners, high net worth families and family offices for over 30 years almost exclusively in Los Angeles as a consultant, advisor, investment manager and fiduciary. John has held positions in business development, relationship management, alternative investments, and sales management in Los Angeles for global financial firms including Northern Trust (10 years), Capital Group (9 years), Chase Manhattan Bank (6 years in both Los Angeles and London) and Morgan Stanley (4 years).
John graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences with an emphasis on Economics and Business. John also completed an Executive Investment Management Program at the London Business School and received a Professional Designation in Real Estate Finance from UCLA.
John has been a leader in supporting many Southern California charitable and community service organizations in Los Angeles, including City of Hope, Cedars Sinai Hospital, Harold Robinson Foundation, and the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. John has served on Boards, Executive Committees and as Event Chairperson for numerous not-for-profit organizations that focus on improving health and educational outcomes for students from the inner city of Los Angeles.
John is a native of Southern California and currently resides in West Los Angeles. John has two adult daughters that both live and work in San Francisco. In his spare time John is an accomplished tennis and avid pickleball player and was a longtime youth sports head coach in soccer, basketball and ultimate frisbee. For many years, John and his daughters have been making Thanksgiving pumpkin pies and donating the sale proceeds to the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools in support of over 14,000 students in 18 schools that are in Watts, South LA, and Boyle Heights. John and his daughters’ charitable venture continues to grow every year. They make and sell over 150 pumpkin pies with the help of over 50 family members and friends that volunteer their time to ensure that students from the inner city of Los Angeles exceed expectations in the classroom.
John Benun is the managing director of BCR and is responsible for BCR’s consulting practice business in Los Angeles and Southern California.
John’s extensive and diverse consulting experience with business owners and their families is a key factor in assisting BCR to grow its footprint in Los Angeles and Southern California. John’s primary goal is to help business owners work through the financial and familial matters that intersect and impact the growth of their business and the strength of their families.
John has worked with business owners, high net worth families and family offices for over 30 years almost exclusively in Los Angeles as a consultant, advisor, investment manager and fiduciary. John has held positions in business development, relationship management, alternative investments, and sales management in Los Angeles for global financial firms including Northern Trust (10 years), Capital Group (9 years), Chase Manhattan Bank (6 years in both Los Angeles and London) and Morgan Stanley (4 years).
John graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences with an emphasis on Economics and Business. John also completed an Executive Investment Management Program at the London Business School and received a Professional Designation in Real Estate Finance from UCLA.
John has been a leader in supporting many Southern California charitable and community service organizations in Los Angeles, including City of Hope, Cedars Sinai Hospital, Harold Robinson Foundation, and the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. John has served on Boards, Executive Committees and as Event Chairperson for numerous not-for-profit organizations that focus on improving health and educational outcomes for students from the inner city of Los Angeles.
John is a native of Southern California and currently resides in West Los Angeles. John has two adult daughters that both live and work in San Francisco. In his spare time John is an accomplished tennis and avid pickleball player and was a longtime youth sports head coach in soccer, basketball and ultimate frisbee. For many years, John and his daughters have been making Thanksgiving pumpkin pies and donating the sale proceeds to the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools in support of over 14,000 students in 18 schools that are in Watts, South LA, and Boyle Heights. John and his daughters’ charitable venture continues to grow every year. They make and sell over 150 pumpkin pies with the help of over 50 family members and friends that volunteer their time to ensure that students from the inner city of Los Angeles exceed expectations in the classroom.
- Los Angeles, CA
Stacey Wong was born and raised in Hawaii. For over 12 years, Stacey was the sole trustee of the Eric A. Knudsen Trust, one of Hawaii’s largest kama’aina family estates that owns 3,800 acres of land and a securities investment portfolio. As trustee, Stacey was responsible for 41 properties with several hundred lessees that included a beachfront hotel and condominiums, a shopping center, a swim and tennis club, restaurant, church and school, cattle and horse ranches, a tree farm and a hydroelectric plant.
Prior to working with the Knudsen Trust, Stacey was the Director of Development for Castle & Cooke Lanai where he was in charge of island-wide real estate activities. He was also project manager and minority partner in Stark Development Companies, leading the development, financing and construction of One Harbor Drive, a 42-story, twin tower condominium project overlooking the waterfront in downtown San Diego.
Stacey is no stranger to small business and entrepreneurship. He was the owner and largest investor in Scott’s Seafood Grill & Bar as well as The Pier Bar at the Aloha Tower Marketplace. Stacey was also a partner and equity investor with Wally Amos in his Uncle Noname Cookie Company.
Stacey’s mainland corporate experience includes being the President of Kimball Resources, Inc., a successful natural gas brokerage firm that he co-founded in Houston, Texas. While active with the company, Stacey arranged complex gas purchases and transportation for major clients including Standard Oil, Texas Petroleum, Potlatch, U.S. Steel, National Steel and many others. Stacey was often a speaker at industry conferences and an expert witness in a federal gas antitrust case.
Stacey was also an Energy Economist at SRI International in Menlo Park, CA where he did fuel pricing forecasts and feasibility analyses for alternative energy technologies.
Stacey has a passion for mediating conflict and has been a principal in numerous mediations, litigations and court settlements. With his leadership experience in many industries, he brings a comprehensive and collaborative approach to problem solving.
Stacey graduated with his MBA from Stanford University where he was a US Department of Health, Education and Welfare Fellow. He also received his MS in Civil/Environmental Engineering from Stanford and his BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Santa Clara. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of California.
In his free time Stacey enjoys playing basketball and has attended fantasy camps with Jerry West, Magic Johnson and Rick Barry.
Stacey Wong was born and raised in Hawaii. For over 12 years, Stacey was the sole trustee of the Eric A. Knudsen Trust, one of Hawaii’s largest kama’aina family estates that owns 3,800 acres of land and a securities investment portfolio. As trustee, Stacey was responsible for 41 properties with several hundred lessees that included a beachfront hotel and condominiums, a shopping center, a swim and tennis club, restaurant, church and school, cattle and horse ranches, a tree farm and a hydroelectric plant.
Prior to working with the Knudsen Trust, Stacey was the Director of Development for Castle & Cooke Lanai where he was in charge of island-wide real estate activities. He was also project manager and minority partner in Stark Development Companies, leading the development, financing and construction of One Harbor Drive, a 42-story, twin tower condominium project overlooking the waterfront in downtown San Diego.
Stacey is no stranger to small business and entrepreneurship. He was the owner and largest investor in Scott’s Seafood Grill & Bar as well as The Pier Bar at the Aloha Tower Marketplace. Stacey was also a partner and equity investor with Wally Amos in his Uncle Noname Cookie Company.
Stacey’s mainland corporate experience includes being the President of Kimball Resources, Inc., a successful natural gas brokerage firm that he co-founded in Houston, Texas. While active with the company, Stacey arranged complex gas purchases and transportation for major clients including Standard Oil, Texas Petroleum, Potlatch, U.S. Steel, National Steel and many others. Stacey was often a speaker at industry conferences and an expert witness in a federal gas antitrust case.
Stacey was also an Energy Economist at SRI International in Menlo Park, CA where he did fuel pricing forecasts and feasibility analyses for alternative energy technologies.
Stacey has a passion for mediating conflict and has been a principal in numerous mediations, litigations and court settlements. With his leadership experience in many industries, he brings a comprehensive and collaborative approach to problem solving.
Stacey graduated with his MBA from Stanford University where he was a US Department of Health, Education and Welfare Fellow. He also received his MS in Civil/Environmental Engineering from Stanford and his BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Santa Clara. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of California.
In his free time Stacey enjoys playing basketball and has attended fantasy camps with Jerry West, Magic Johnson and Rick Barry.
- Honolulu, HI
Bridget is a specialist in supporting the needs of families in business and family offices. Bridget is a second-generation family office professional. She has spent her career serving the family office ecosystem globally. Her experience includes working with family offices from an investment opportunity level to back-office solutions and supporting families in business with their governance structure and process. Bridget’s greatest strength is her passion for learning about what a company’s or family’s needs are in order to develop a strategy around it so that she can effectively help a particular family or business. For over 10 years, Bridget has developed a world-class reputation for curating bespoke events and introductions for cross-sector people and companies. She has cultivated deep connections within the family office, corporate company, and the institutional space.
Through her industry-wide events, she is able to curate a safe space for everyone that participates in order to create a cross-pollination of ideas, personalities, and opportunities between a broad combination of families, industries, and cultures. This led to Bridget founding the NextGen Leaders Network in the fall of 2014. Bridget has successfully grown networks of next-generation family members, political leaders, and other successful leaders in 5 cities. Bridget earned and studied at DePaul University and received an Economics degree from Santa Monica College.
Bridget is a specialist in supporting the needs of families in business and family offices. Bridget is a second-generation family office professional. She has spent her career serving the family office ecosystem globally. Her experience includes working with family offices from an investment opportunity level to back-office solutions and supporting families in business with their governance structure and process. Bridget’s greatest strength is her passion for learning about what a company’s or family’s needs are in order to develop a strategy around it so that she can effectively help a particular family or business. For over 10 years, Bridget has developed a world-class reputation for curating bespoke events and introductions for cross-sector people and companies. She has cultivated deep connections within the family office, corporate company, and the institutional space.
Through her industry-wide events, she is able to curate a safe space for everyone that participates in order to create a cross-pollination of ideas, personalities, and opportunities between a broad combination of families, industries, and cultures. This led to Bridget founding the NextGen Leaders Network in the fall of 2014. Bridget has successfully grown networks of next-generation family members, political leaders, and other successful leaders in 5 cities. Bridget earned and studied at DePaul University and received an Economics degree from Santa Monica College.
- Los Angeles, CA
Bridget is a specialist in supporting the needs of families in business and family offices. Bridget is a second-generation family office professional. She has spent her career serving the family office ecosystem globally. Her experience includes working with family offices from an investment opportunity level to back-office solutions and supporting families in business with their governance structure and process. Bridget’s greatest strength is her passion for learning about what a company’s or family’s needs are in order to develop a strategy around it so that she can effectively help a particular family or business. For over 10 years, Bridget has developed a world-class reputation for curating bespoke events and introductions for cross-sector people and companies. She has cultivated deep connections within the family office, corporate company, and the institutional space.
Through her industry-wide events, she is able to curate a safe space for everyone that participates in order to create a cross-pollination of ideas, personalities, and opportunities between a broad combination of families, industries, and cultures. This led to Bridget founding the NextGen Leaders Network in the fall of 2014. Bridget has successfully grown networks of next-generation family members, political leaders, and other successful leaders in 5 cities. Bridget earned and studied at DePaul University and received an Economics degree from Santa Monica College.
Bridget is a specialist in supporting the needs of families in business and family offices. Bridget is a second-generation family office professional. She has spent her career serving the family office ecosystem globally. Her experience includes working with family offices from an investment opportunity level to back-office solutions and supporting families in business with their governance structure and process. Bridget’s greatest strength is her passion for learning about what a company’s or family’s needs are in order to develop a strategy around it so that she can effectively help a particular family or business. For over 10 years, Bridget has developed a world-class reputation for curating bespoke events and introductions for cross-sector people and companies. She has cultivated deep connections within the family office, corporate company, and the institutional space.
Through her industry-wide events, she is able to curate a safe space for everyone that participates in order to create a cross-pollination of ideas, personalities, and opportunities between a broad combination of families, industries, and cultures. This led to Bridget founding the NextGen Leaders Network in the fall of 2014. Bridget has successfully grown networks of next-generation family members, political leaders, and other successful leaders in 5 cities. Bridget earned and studied at DePaul University and received an Economics degree from Santa Monica College.
- Los Angeles, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
With 40+ years of experience in real estate, finance, and not-for-profit leadership, Alec thrives on advising organizations—both for-profit and non-profit—through complex commercial transactions, financings, ground leases, and restructurings. His expertise includes board governance, fundraising, mission fulfillment, and facilitating strategic retreats.
His career spans partner roles at Loeb & Loeb and Mayer Brown (including leadership positions), and senior corporate counsel roles at Fremont Investment & Loan, iStar Financial Inc., and Safehold Inc. Most recently, he served as Senior Counsel for Business & Talent Development at Katten Muchin Rosenman, where he helped young lawyers build their careers and develop client-focused skills.
Since retiring from active legal practice, he continues to mentor professionals across industries, serve on advisory boards, support real estate recapitalizations as an owner’s representative, and foster connections through networking.
His dual perspective as both outside and in-house counsel enables him to deliver unique insights and solutions to clients and organizations.
J.D., University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
B.A., Political Science, summa cum laude, University of California, San Diego
With 40+ years of experience in real estate, finance, and not-for-profit leadership, Alec thrives on advising organizations—both for-profit and non-profit—through complex commercial transactions, financings, ground leases, and restructurings. His expertise includes board governance, fundraising, mission fulfillment, and facilitating strategic retreats.
His career spans partner roles at Loeb & Loeb and Mayer Brown (including leadership positions), and senior corporate counsel roles at Fremont Investment & Loan, iStar Financial Inc., and Safehold Inc. Most recently, he served as Senior Counsel for Business & Talent Development at Katten Muchin Rosenman, where he helped young lawyers build their careers and develop client-focused skills.
Since retiring from active legal practice, he continues to mentor professionals across industries, serve on advisory boards, support real estate recapitalizations as an owner’s representative, and foster connections through networking.
His dual perspective as both outside and in-house counsel enables him to deliver unique insights and solutions to clients and organizations.
J.D., University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
B.A., Political Science, summa cum laude, University of California, San Diego
- Los Angeles, CA
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