Meet David Morimoto, BBA ’91, vice chairman and chief operating officer for Central Pacific Bank (CPB). His responsibilities include leading customer growth and success, and building new customer relationships. Prior to his current position, he served as the chief financial officer of Central Pacific Financial Corp. and Central Pacific Bank for a decade. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the Shidler College of Business and his master’s in business administration from Chaminade University of Honolulu. Morimoto resides in Honolulu with his family.
Morimoto and his wife, Kathy, and their daughters, Kira and Jill, at Jill’s graduation from Santa Clara University this summer.
Tell us about a day at the office.
“I assumed my new role of vice chairman and chief operating officer March 1. Currently, my days are roughly evenly split between internal sales leadership meetings and external meetings with customers and prospective customers. Over time, I’d like to spend more of my day with customers and prospective customers.”
David Morimoto
What projects/initiatives are you currently working on?
“I’m fortunate that CPB has a long-established reputation for providing exceptional customer service. My team and I are focused on deepening relationships with existing customers and introducing CPB’s level of service to banking prospects. To support our sales leadership process, we also are enhancing our customer relationship management system.”
How did your experiences at Shidler prepare you for what was to come?
“Shidler played a key role in my choice of career and prepared me for early success. I took a finance elective on bank financial management taught by Michael Tanaka that piqued my interest in banking. In my last semester, I took an internship class where I interned at CPB. That class led to me being hired as a management trainee at CPB following my graduation in May 1991.”
What are some of your favorite memories of Shidler?
“Spending time studying with my future wife, Kathy (Naito) Morimoto, BBA ’91. Kathy was an accounting major and she helped me survive Accounting 201 and 202.”
What’s your favorite lunch?
“It used to be large plate lunches but not anymore. Today, I usually eat a salad or sandwich.”
What’s your advice for current students?
“Get outside your comfort zone and embrace adversity. Personal growth and learning all occur outside your comfort zone and especially when you are challenged. If you want to accelerate your career, seek out those growth opportunities.”
What do you do to relax/destress?
“I like to play golf, go to the gym or walk the neighborhood hill.”
What’s your favorite activity outside of the office?
“Golf! I like the individual challenge of improving your play, combined with the social aspect of spending time with friends and new acquaintances.”
