DP&R Newsletter February 2022
Chels Chae Life Story
I am a Christian, husband, father, and immigrant to our great Nation.
I stepped off a jet airplane at John F. Kennedy International Airport at New York City in 1972 as a 12-year boy. I got my first job as a paper boy at 13 years old with 200 customers. I also got fired for the first time working at a grocery store at 16 years old and I deserved it for not following instructions in moving crates of glass bottles on the conveyor belt. I studied and worked for ten years until I was commissioned as an Army officer in the United States Army in 1982.
I retired in 2011 after nearly 30 years serving in the US Army. During that time, I married a beautiful girl from Hawaii and raised three sons who are all grown. After my retirement and unsuccessful job hunting, I started a consulting company in the same year and had an amazing experience for the past 10 years, working with great people with a common set of values and goals.
There are some life lessons that I hold and put to practice daily: one, placing my faith in God who faithful and unchanging and eternal is a great place to build my life on; two, keep my priorities straight – faith, family, and work; three, when you need a friend, it’s too late to make one – so make friends every day; four, improve my foxhole daily – seek those challenges that only I can tackle and overcome and then get to work to solve them; finally, five, it is more blessed to give then to receive – always look for ways to give.
Joy Miyamasu Life Story
I would love to hear everyone’s life story as I find inspiration and intrigue when learning about history and experience. For now, I will share mine.
Born and raised in beautiful Hawai’i nei to fourth generation Japanese that worked at the sugar cane plantations on Oahu and the Big Island. I am the youngest and have three older brothers. We moved several times throughout Oahu but settled in Moanalua Valley with my grandpa after my parents divorced. Even though my dad was not around growing up, I was blessed to have my mom, grandpa and two older brothers Daniel and Alex as strong figures. My mom was very resourceful and taught me to stretch my clothes until it fit, and how to change my outcome when circumstances were against me. My grandpa taught me to always take pride in my work even if it is scrubbing floors. I learned that lesson while scrubbing floors. Other life skills like riding a bike, driving a car, or playing poker were honed by my brothers.
When my mom remarried, I inherited a bonus dad. We moved to Aiea where I attended middle school and high school. After high school I wanted to be closer to my brothers that were serving in the Marines and Navy in San Diego. Shortly after I moved to San Diego to attend college, my brother Daniel went on deployment in Iraq. We received devastating news that he passed away while in combat. Before he passed, he sent me an email and told me that no matter what happens to him he wants to be remembered for his good looks, intelligence, and humor. I could not describe him any better.
After a few years in San Diego, I decided to move back home to Oahu and transfer to the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Luckily, I moved back because I met my husband, Arison. He is my best friend and a great partner to do life with. In 2009 (one of the years Lakers won the NBA championship) we welcomed our son Kobe. We figured if Lakers did bad, we always had the steak to reference his name to. Now that Kobe is older, we can venture out more. On the weekends you can find us bike riding along the Ala Wai, paddle boarding at Ala Moana, or trying different boba drinks.
“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham
Desiree Marts Life Story
America once seemed like a distant land with all the possibilities to me. Unreachable, something you only hear about in the news. And now, I consider it my home.
Born and raised in Germany, I lived the typical German kid-life. Lots of hard schoolwork, even more time outside in the “frische Luft” (fresh air) and daughter to hard-working parents.
I am so grateful for the example of dedication and purposeful work that I grew up knowing, which made me appreciate those whom I work with now even more so.
In 2003, I came to America as an “Au Pair” for a military family with two sweet young kids.
During that year, I not only met my husband, but also fell in love with the community that surrounded me and made me feel like family. At the end of my Au Pair year, I felt God telling me to consider staying and after changing all the plans I had laid out for myself, I began studying in the US and shortly after, married my amazing husband.
Before my time with DP&R, I’ve functioned in various administrative roles, even owned my own business, supporting impoverished artisans in Nepal and Cambodia, for a season. But my favorite was my volunteer work serving military communities in Kansas and Hawaii for many years. My husband has served as a youth pastor for over 16 years, and I’ve had the joy of working alongside him, serving military teens and their families throughout the years.
My time with DP&R started in 2016 when I was given the opportunity to manage a contract. My greatest joy is to be able to find the right answers to our team members’ questions and overall assist in making their work experience with DP&R the best of their professional careers. I truly enjoy overseeing the Human Capital aspects of the company at this time.
On the Homefront, I am a mom of 4 wild and beautiful children. My oldest is about to turn 10 and my youngest is newly 4 years old. I love spending time outdoors, painting, listening to audiobooks, and working out in our garage gym with our neighbors and friends.
I’m grateful for the people I’ve been able to meet and know, the places I’ve been able to visit and explore and even the challenging seasons in life that spurred on much growth, personally and professionally.
Joshua Tyler Life Story
Hi everyone. Little bit about myself for this newsletter. I was born April of 1977 in northern Indiana. The oldest of three sons and no shame in admitting that I easily was the most rebellious of the three. Dad was a livestock manager and Mom while primarily raising the three of us, also worked on the farm, broke horses, seamstress (could literally sew anything), and everything in between. Let me tell you, when you’ve seen your mother continue to get back on a horse that has thrown her half a dozen times in the morning and castrate farm animals in the afternoon, and then says “wait for your dad to get home” …is a blessing.
Childhood was not too exciting. Rode horses until I was 15 or so. Worked on the farm with my dad and hung out with friends. Little known fact. When I was 17, I started modelling. Nothing over the top or too glamorous but a few fashion shows in Indianapolis. My wife has hidden the photos from me and loves to share them whenever the topic comes up.
I enlisted into the Marines a few weeks after my 18th birthday and left for basic the day after high school graduation. Yes, it was intentional to leave that quickly. Of the myriad of reasons high school students join the military I think mine was simple. When I considered my options staying in Indiana, they all seemed quite boring. Especially another four years of school. And I really didn’t like rules. I got that part a bit wrong. The Marine Corps likes there rules so much they’re called orders. My time with the Marine Corps was certainly exciting though. So much that I stayed for twenty years. Sixteen of those years were in San Diego with the last four here in Hawaii.
After retiring I worked a few different jobs while also working on my degree. Worked as a distribution manager at a bakery for a year. It was fun and plenty of free donuts, but those hours were a bit rough. Worked at TSA for almost two years. It was pretty enjoyable. You would not believe the things people try and bring through security. My first five minutes after being fully certified I am screening a passenger and a crack pipe falls out of his shorts to which he replies, “that’s not mine.” No kidding. Happens more than you would think. Bit of advice, anything embarrassing put in your checked bag. A good x-ray operator can tell what everything in your bag is. Yes, everything.
I left TSA to join DP&R where I started out as a technician for the tactical vehicle wash facilities where I later became the project manager. After two years there I moved to the corporate office where I am now serving as a Program Manager.
Shannon and I have been happily married for the last eleven years. We have recently started renovating our home out on the west side and we enjoy spending time with our two golden doodles Jack and Jane who always seem to be up to no good. I also have a daughter who is an elementary school teacher in Texas, and we love catching up with each other whenever we can.
Talia Hunt Life Story
I was born and raised in Neustadt, Germany.
My Mom is German, and my father is Turkish. His parents immigrated to Germany after World War II to help rebuild. My grandmother on my mom’s side lived during the war and fled east Germany as a young mother when it was under communism regime.
This is not my accomplishment, but knowing how much history lives in my family, gives me a great sense of appreciation for the life I live today. When I was a young adult I met my husband, who is an Air Force firefighter. Together we have three beautiful children, and we currently live in Texas.
On Hawaii I was very blessed to get to know Desiree and her loving family. When she left the island, I moved into her position with DP&R, specifically the amazing Chapel Team.
I have been blessed to be a part of the DP&R Team since 2018. Besides work, I really enjoy being outdoors, working out, eating good food, and making memories with my family.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Dynamic Planning & Response Receives 2022 “Best Places to Work in Hawaii” recognition
In November and December of 2021, our eligible team members were presented with the opportunity to participate in a company-wide survey for “Best Places to Work in Hawaii”.
We are thrilled to say that DP&R made it not only on the list of the 72 companies and non-profits, but also gained valuable insight on our company operations and culture. We continue to thrive to make our team members’ work experience with DP&R the best yet and have learned about ways to improve employment and benefits in the near future.
Thank you to our awesome team in supporting DP&R in this way, we appreciate you!
