When Kisan Jo made the decision to move to Hawai‘i at 27 years old, he had no idea what the future might hold. Born in Seoul, Korea, and a graduate of the University of the West Indies at Mona, Jamaica, Jo had been working at the accounting firm Deloitte back home in Seoul when an inter-company transfer request came in for Deloitte’s office in Honolulu. Taking a leap of faith, he packed his bags bound for what he knew would be paradise.

Once here, he fell in love with the culture, environment, lifestyle and people. Fast forward to today and he now oversees seven corporate entities, including three hotels and 1,400 employees. At the young age of 39 years, Jo is the third president in the history of Prince Resorts Hawaii, following in the footsteps of former Hawai‘i Governor George Ariyoshi and hospitality legend Donn Takahashi.

The tourism landscape brings a diverse set of challenges for today’s hospitality professionals. With travelers demanding unparalleled experiences grounded in the destination, from life-changing adventures to activities geared toward health and wellness, not to mention a shift in the way consumers are traveling, there’s a need for properties to embrace not only their location and provide authentic experiences, but also be nimble in meeting the demand of all age groups and in all areas of interest.

With travel to Hawai‘i steadily increasing and visitors at a record high, the Big Island is experiencing double-digit growth, Jo says, and Prince Resorts Hawaii is poised to capture some of that lucrative market. Besides the newly renovated Prince Waikiki on O‘ahu, the company’s portfolio of luxury resorts in Hawai‘i include The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection, in Waimea. Within the last two years alone, the entire collection of resorts and golf courses has seen an influx of more than $100 million dollars from its ownership in Japan, Seibu Holdings.

When Jo walked through the accounting doors at Prince Resorts Hawaii, he was immediately noticed for his energy, talent and street smarts. Over the course of just eight short years, he quickly moved into the role of CFO and then vice president of the company. With Jo at the helm, Prince Resorts Hawaii is working to distinguish Prince Waikiki, Hapuna Beach Resort and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel from its competitors, supported through unique programming and local experiences.

“Communication is key,” Jo says. From holding regular stakeholder meetings to keeping his door wide open to staff, Jo prioritizes communication across all levels. Advice he gives to his staff comes from his own personal career path: have a good work ethic, show passion for what you do and for achieving your goals, and the company will recognize you as opportunities arise.

With Donn Takahashi’s mentorship and an inherent drive to help others succeed, Jo brings the perfect balance of experience, business acumen and supportive leadership to the table at Prince Resorts Hawaii. “Kisan brings a tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm into this role,” says President Takashi Goto of Seibu Holdings Inc. “His long-term vision for the company and ability to identify solutions to complex problems are strengths that Prince Resorts Hawaii needs among its leadership.”

Kisan’s goal is ensuring technology is at the forefront of operations and guest services at Prince Resorts, having already implemented a food and beverage costing system, revenue management system, HR-recruitment system, budget and forecasting system and property management system, to name a few. Jo’s vision for the next few years include cementing each hotel as a leader in the industry, including shifting focus to Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, which had its last renovation in 2006, to keep pace with the major and significant changes at Prince Waikiki and The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. Jo is also focused on maintaining the success of the entire portfolio through optimal financial performance, care for the Prince Resorts staff, providing visitors with high-level service and honoring the local culture and community by giving back.

Coming from a financial background, Jo understands that black-and-white numbers can guide the organization’s decisions, but he is adamant that it isn’t just about the money. With a focus on how the company can develop its employees and not just the bottom line, his goal is seeking talented individuals and compensating them for their skills, offering a fun and great place to work at the same time. The company even mentors young, aspiring hospitality professionals and provides them with hands-on experience to learn the industry firsthand.

That isn’t all, says Jo. Prince Resorts Hawaii also supports the community with partnerships across O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island, participating in cleanup efforts in the neighborhoods surrounding its properties as well as offering both in-kind and cash donations to various local organizations.