BY ERIN KEALOHA – Today the House Republican Caucus announced that Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson has been selected to attend the coveted Emerging Leaders Program.
This national program recognizes a select number of outstanding young legislators in the United States who are demonstrating policy and public service leadership and who have been singled out as future leaders for our nation.
“We are pleased that Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson has been chosen for this prestigious opportunity,” House Republican Caucus Leader Gene Ward stated. “He is an exemplary legislator who will ably represent Hawaii at this national forum.”
The 2011 Emerging Leaders Program will be held at the University of Virginia, founded by President Thomas Jefferson. About 50 state legislators from 39 states will be participating in this year’s program, a collaborative effort sponsored by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation and the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
The State Legislative Leaders Foundation will cover all costs and no state funds will be used.
“I am humbled and honored to have been chosen for this program,” said Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson. “I look forward to learning from my fellow lawmakers and bringing solutions back to Hawaii to tackle the social and fiscal issues plaguing our state.”
Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson, serves as House Minority Whip and represents House District 32 that includes the communities of Kalihi, Moanalua, Aliamanu, Pearl Harbor, Hickam, Foster Village, Halawa, Aiea, and Lower Pearlridge.  He is a member of the Education, Higher Education, Labor and Public Employment, Public Safety and Military Affairs, and Transportation Committees in the House of Representatives.
Prior to becoming a lawmaker, Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson served in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. He also held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff for the United States Mint, U.S. Department of the Treasury.
At the State level he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for former Lt. Governor Duke Aiona, worked as a Legislative analyst for former House Republican Caucus Leader Rep. Lynn Finnegan, and was appointed to the Legislative Federal Stimulus Program Oversight Commission.
Raised in his district, Rep. Johanson is a graduate of Moanalua Elementary, Intermediate, and High School, graduated cum laude from Yale University and studied abroad in Japan and China. He is fluent in Japanese and has studied Chinese.
Erin Kealoha is the Office Manager for Rep. Johanson