Who We Are

Jerald Forrest is the CEO of Lawelawe Management Group (LMG) and sits on several business Board of Directors. 

At LMG he oversees the operations of a multimillion organization with a portfolio of businesses in various business verticals under management.  He is spearheading a major strategic shift in the Native Hawaiian 8a space from a functional focus to an enabler of strategic innovation that has trailblazed a truly scalable business model.   

Before joining the Lawelawe brand Jerald was retained by many Federal Government Contractors to define and execute succession planning for business growth. As an acquisitions and strategic growth professional he has added over $1B dollars to bottom line revenues for organizations.  

He has played a key role in the continued company growth and development of strategic partnerships ensuring flexibility in response to an ever-changing marketplace. 

Jerald is respected as a credible voice in decision making, finding strategic partners, and establishing governance boundaries.

Education

• Northwestern School of Law
• High Point University

As President of LMG, Chris is responsible for providing strategic, financial, and operational leadership to execute company goals and objectives. Additional responsibilities include communicating with management, shareholders, government entities and the public, collaborating with management and senior leaders, guiding the development of the company’s long and short-term business strategies while leading and managing sales and marketing activities to drive corporate growth and earnings. He is also responsible for leading efforts to identify, pursue, close and deliver new business opportunities. He also serves as a strategic member of the Lawelawe executive management team to ensure the attainment of HNOC goals dedicated to uplifting the Hawaiian culture.

Chris brings 23 years of government contracting experience to LMG. He served as EVP for Copper River (Tribal 8(a)), SVP for Atlas Research (SDVOSB), President of Carney, Inc., President of Nangwik (Chenega 8(a) Alaskan Native Corporations (ANC)) and CEO of Concentric Methods, LLC. (Cape Fox ANC). Prior to contracting, Chris served on active duty as an enlisted infantry Marine 

Some of the customers he supported include:

• FDA Office of Finance, Budget and Acquisitions Business Transformation Team (BTT) and all Centers Integrated Services Support
• U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence Army Direct Care Medical Services, Training Support Services, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Army Walter Reed Histocompatibility Lab Managers and Biomedical Technicians
• Army, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Logistics and Programs (G-3, 4 and 8) and Army Material Command (AMC)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), OMS Clinic and Industrial Supply Center
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Human Capital and Zika Training

Education

• The Catholic University of America, Management of Information Systems

Trained in history, traditions, genealogy, and lapaau by Luka Kinolau, Lillian Kahoalii, Alice Namakelua, Alina Paki Say-Fong and ‘Uniki lapa’au” from Papa Henry Auwae at Lapakahi. Gerry is a royal genealogist and keeper of ancient records. He is the last designated kahu of record for the Healing Stones in Waikiki. Gerry has represented numerous native Hawaiian cultural interests both culturally and legally and has written legislation concerning native Hawaiian cultural practices in re indigenous Hawaiian fundamental constitutional rights. 

Gerry’s professional experience includes Wall Street mergers & acquisitions; small business; financial systems structuring; accounting systems; quantitative analysis; human resources and labor deployments; risk & crisis management. Gerry has authored legislation in Hawaii and Washington D.C. 

His passion is serving Hawaiian communities as a lapa’au ministering to kupuna, hospital patients, teaching Hawaiian medicine, and providing family kukakuka and pule.

Hawaiian Ancestry

Matriarchal birthright: Ke’alohilanikikaupe’aokalani and Ali’i Paki to Kapahupineakaleikoa, Paki and Keopuhiwa-Paki to me as Nalikolauokalani-lanikaula-Paki

Education

• Kamehameha Schools
• BYU, Provo – BA Political Science
• BYU Law School – JD
• U. of Denver Law School/College of Accounting LL.M. Taxation Law/Master of Tax Accounting
• U. of Penn, Wharton MBA

David Thompson (Dave) serves as the President of Lawelawe Defense Inc. He is deeply experienced in federal government contracting as well as commercial business development. Dave is a proven executive who provided operations and business development leadership to multiple companies that experienced dramatic growth during his tenure. Prior to entering the private sector, Dave served for 28 years on active duty as an Armor officer in the United States Army, after graduation from Texas A&M in 1986. He commanded units from platoon to brigade level, and served in combat during Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Dave served as the Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and then President of an Information Technology firm, and later as the Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for a rapidly growing Aerospace Engineering and Manufacturing company. In that role Dave led all business development efforts, playing a key role in a corporate merger as well as multiple acquisitions, driving the growth of the company from a small firm to a large company, within 3-1/2 years. In that period, the company grew at an astounding rate, achieving a 2022 ranking of #340 on the Inc 5000 with 1700% revenue growth during the previous 3 years.

Prior to his business career, Dave served in several leadership roles in business and state and federal government. Key positions include serving as the state-level executive for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, charged with developing and protecting the economic impact of the military in the state. In that role, Dave provided expert testimony, assisted in the development of legislation and worked with the Kentucky’s Congressional delegation to drive the growth of military-related business and protect the state’s interests during the Base Re Alignment and Closure process. In addition, Dave served our Veterans in a national Director level role with the Department of Veterans Affairs, working to establish accountability across the organization and implement legislation designed to bring a new level of professionalism to the VA workforce.

Education

• MS, Administration, Central Michigan University
• BS, Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University