Outrigger Enterprises, Inc. yesterday announced changes to its management team as well as plans to expand into Asia and the West Coast of North America.

With developing tourism markets in and around Asia, Outrigger is researching opportunities over the next few months, said David Carey, president and CEO of Outrigger Enterprises.

He said the company likely will focus on resort leisure destinations such as Thailand, Vietnam, Okinawa and some areas in China.

Outrigger, Hawai'i's largest locally owned hotel owner and operator, will also look for investment and management opportunities in West Coast leisure-oriented destinations like San Diego and Anaheim.

"We've had a successful track record of growth," Carey said. "Our new plan calls for us to aggressively add even more properties to our portfolio of destinations and to export our unique Outrigger brand of hospitality throughout Asia and the Pacific. As the Asian and Pacific markets grow and mature as tourist destinations, we want Outrigger to be right there with them."

Perry Sorenson, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, will retire Dec. 31 after 15 years with the company to spend more time with his family, the company said in a statement.

Sorenson helped expand Outrigger beyond Waikiki; the company now has nearly 60 properties open or under development throughout the Pacific, including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam and Bali.

Senior vice president of operations Barry Wallace is being promoted to executive vice president of hospitality services, assuming most of Sorenson's responsibilities.

Mel Kaneshige, senior vice president in charge of the company's real estate assets, will have additional responsibilities for new business development as executive vice president for real estate and development.

Vice president of development Bill Henderson and Darren Edmonstone, who recently joined the company as vice president of asset management planning, will assist Kaneshige in the effort to find new projects in the Outrigger's growth plans.

Carey also noted the company has put in place a financial re-engineering plan to help it build a significant capital acquisition fund to invest in new projects.

"Our new approach will enable the company to raise significant capital to fund its growth plans, diversify its investment holdings and yet preserve our management presence in Hawai'i," Carey said.

"The strong capital market climate in Hawai'i has enabled us to attract financial partners from around the world to invest in our Waikiki Beach Walk project and to explore new hospitality opportunities in Hawai'i and the Pacific."

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.