Melvin Horikami joined the HPU College of Business as an Executive in Residence “to help business students develop a starting point and a framework for success when they graduate.”  He called it a “Framework for Learning” that graduates can utilize to maximize the experiences and knowledge they acquire in their leadership journey. 

“Sometimes students struggle to deliver results – not for lack of intelligence, or experience – but because they don’t know how to apply that experience and knowledge.  They don’t know how to approach challenges from a holistic view.”

Mr. Horikami is founder and President of Optimum Business Consulting, LLC – an organizational transformation practice, and was previously the VP of Commercial Services at Oceanic Time Warner Cable and a retired senior executive with 29 years of experience with Verizon Communications.  While at Verizon Communications, he served as President – Verizon Hawaii, VP – provisioning & maintenance support, Executive Director – FiOS program management, Assistant Vice President - repair call centers and General Manager of customer operations. 

His experience includes operations management, quality/process management, business analysis, customer relations, systems and technology implementation, project management, sales, billing and staff support.   He held positions with national and regional responsibility and lived in 5 states from Hawaii to New Jersey.   Mr. Horikami holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Hawaii West Oahu and an MBA from Texas Christian University.    

His position in the HPU College of Business Administration allows him  “to collaborate with faculty to enhance education and produce graduates who can apply themselves as leaders.”