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Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi Names Dave Erdman Interim President & CEO
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi Names Dave Erdman Interim President & CEO
Honolulu, HI -- Dec. 16, 2025. The Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi (RMH) today announced that Dave Erdman has been appointed Interim President & CEO beginning in January 2026. The appointment was made by the RMH Executive Committee under the leadership of 2025 Board Chair Darcy Lindamood, Consultant-Reyn Spooner, and 2026 incoming Board Chair Kealiʻi Haverly, VP of Polynesian Cultural Center & Hukilau Marketplace retail experiences. Erdman will lead Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi (RMH) through its leadership transition while the search for a permanent president & CEO continues.
"We are confident that Dave's deep experience and long-standing commitment to RMH will provide steady leadership during this important transition," said Lindamood.
"Erdman has been involved with RMH for more than 30 years and has served both as a member of the executive committee and board member. His long history with the organization and the Hawai‘i retail community makes him uniquely positioned to guide RMH at this pivotal time", said Haverly.
Professionally, Erdman is widely recognized as an industry innovator and respected leader. He previously served as Founder, president & CEO of PacRim Marketing Group/Vector USA, and PRTech, LLC, where he led the companies through significant growth over more than three decades, including celebrating its 35-year milestone. His work focused on strategic media communications & PR, digital marketing and business development.
Under his leadership, PacRim Marketing Group/Vector USA strengthened connections between Hawaiʻi's retail sector, shopping centers, hospitality organizations, and visitor markets across all islands - experience that strongly aligns with RMH's mission to support the state's retail ecosystem.
Erdman has been recognized for industry leadership and business excellence, including:
- RMH Governor's Retail Industry Award for service to the retail community (1996)
- Small Business Administration (SBA) Exporter of the Year -- State of Hawai‘i (2010)
- Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Businessperson of the Year -- State of Hawai‘i (2014)
- Hawaiʻi Pacific Export Council (HPEC) District Export Council of the Year -- 2024
Erdman is the immediate Past Chair (2022--2025) of the Hawai‘i Pacific Export Council (HPEC), an organization supporting Hawai‘i businesses engaged in global trade, and past Chair of the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce (HJCC). He served as past president and member of the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunrise. He is a current Board member of the UH Shidler College of Business School of Travel Industry Management Alumni Board. Erdman served as a Board Trustee for Mid-Pacific.
Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi is a statewide membership-based organization representing more than 120 member retailers, allied industries, hospitality partners, suppliers, and service providers. RMH's mission is to foster a thriving and resilient retail industry statewide by:
- Advocating for policies that strengthen Hawai‘i's retail sector and the statewide economy
- Providing educational programs, industry resources, and member networking opportunities
- Promoting best practices in retail, tourism, and community responsibility
- Serving as a unified voice for retailers across all Hawai‘i islands
With Erdman now guiding the organization, RMH remains focused on supporting Hawai'iʻs evolving retail environment while addressing challenges and opportunities tied to workforce, tourism, policy, technology, and economic growth.
As Interim President & CEO, Erdman will:
- Collaborate with the RMH Board and Executive Committee to ensure continuity of operations Engage and listen to members, partners, and stakeholders statewide
- Support ongoing advocacy priorities and program initiatives
- Assist the leadership team in the transition toward permanent executive leadership
"Now more than ever, Hawai‘i's resident retail and retail tourism sectors need a strong, unified voice," said Erdman. "I am honored to serve RMH members during this transition and look forward to working collaboratively with the Board, members, the business community, and our government leaders to advance our shared mission."
For media inquiries, membership information, or organizational updates, please contact RMH at derdman@RMHawaii.org or call the RMH office at (808) 592-4200.
About Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi
Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi is a statewide, not-for-profit trade association committed to supporting Hawai‘i's retail industry. With over 120 members, RMH advocates for a sustainable and successful retail environment, provides professional development and industry insight, and serves as an essential voice for retail-related businesses across Hawai‘i.
Lean more about Retail Merchants of Hawaii
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