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Gene Albano was on the fairway when his phone rang, displaying an unexpected name: Rick Blangiardi, mayor of the City and County of Honolulu. Assuming it was a prank, Albano let it go to voicemail. But after 30 years of success in private industry, managing complex design and engineering projects, his curiosity got the better of him.
Mayor Blangiardi was reaching out to recruit Albano for a public role—as director and chief engineer of the department of facility maintenance for the City and County of Honolulu. Fortunately for the city, Albano was at a career crossroads and open to a new challenge.
“I felt like I’d lost some of the purpose in my work,” Albano recalls. “O‘ahu is a small island, and I wanted to see the impact of my work right here in my own community. It was time to give back.”
The role was no small step down. O‘ahu faces a host of challenges, from climate change and rising sea levels to hurricanes, tsunamis, and land erosion. The devastating August 2023 wildfire on Maui, which claimed over 100 lives, was a stark reminder of the island’s vulnerability.
Albano embraced the opportunity to help Honolulu take a more proactive approach to climate-related threats. “We’re focusing on climate change and sea level rise, particularly in maintaining city facilities,” he says. “Electrification is one of the critical aspects as we move away from fossil fuels.”
Hawai‘i’s goal is to transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2045, and Honolulu is leading that effort by electrifying its entire vehicle fleet. Albano being part of the city electrification team is building the infrastructure needed to support this shift, installing solar arrays to electric vehicle chargers and collaborating with the state’s offices of climate change, sustainability, and resiliency to procure electric vehicles.
Budget constraints are real, but Albano is optimistic about securing federal grants to help fund the transition. “We’re endeavoring to be ahead of the game in this massive effort and we plan to make it the daily work way,” he says.
Albano, who previously managed a global team of 50, now oversees 900 employees. He credits his success to a strong leadership team that maintains close connections with staff, allowing him to focus on strategic priorities.
His experience as a volunteer soccer referee has also proven useful, helping him navigate public service with fairness and respect. “Listening to all sides and building trust is key,” Albano says.
He’s also keen to challenge the stereotype that public-sector employees are less hardworking than their private-sector counterparts. “We’re changing that narrative by showing up every day and doing our best for the people of this city,” Albano says. “Our department is in a great position to be proactive and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished.”
Albano encourages other experienced professionals to consider a shift to public service. “It’s not easy, but it’s rewarding,” he says. “Public service needs the best and brightest to make a real and lasting impact.”
Established in 1971, G70 is Hawai‘i’s leading multi-discipline design firm specializing in architecture, interior design, civil engineering, planning and environment. G70 is deeply invested in understanding and perpetuating the cultural and historical resonance of every place it touches. With a mission to create hope for future generations, G70’s diverse team of entrepreneurial and highly creative individuals aspire to contribute to the betterment of lives and places in Hawai‘i and across the Pacific. For more information, visit www.g70.design.
“R.M. Towill Corporation has been blessed to have been in partnership with the City & County of Honolulu Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) for decades. Having worked with Gene in the past, we are encouraged that he will bring in a wealth of experience and a proven track record from the private sector and are confident he will take DFM to new horizons. We look forward to continued partnership with Gene.”
–Collins Lam, Vice President
