Remove ImagesThe Exchange
The Exchange
February 01, 2007
WHO GAVE: Nicholas J. Susner
WHO RECEIVED: Governor Linda Lingle
DATE: Nov. 7, 2006
AMOUNT: $6,000
"The reality is that the future economic fortunes of our state will
be determined by the capabilities and creativity of our people and by
their ability to work and communicate effectively with others around
world," Governor Linda Lingle said in her Jan. 22, 2007 State of the
State Address. She was undoubtedly talking about men like Nicholas
Susner. CEO of Honolulu-based Science & Technology International
(STI) since 1993, Susner is the embodiment of the kind of "innovative"
business leader Lingle gushed over during her address. "STI's mission
is enhancing the quality of life through the innovative application and
emerging technologies," Susner said in the December 2002 edition of
California CEO. In a nutshell, the company builds high-tech detection
equipment, both for military and civilian uses. In 1999, it won a $50
million contract from the U.S. Office of Naval Research to design new
submarine detection technology, which is also used today in our own
waters to count whales. The company is also working on new spy blimps,
which sound very World War I, but are actually rather cutting edge. On
the healthcare front, STI has developed systems for better cervical
cancer detection and skin cancer treatment. For the kind of money
Susner donated to Lingle's campaign—though he did wait until Election
Day itself to hand over the check—he could have at least gotten a
shout-out from Lingle during her address, especially considering that
he and his company won a mention in one of former Governor Ben
Cayetano's State of the States.