Gov. Linda Lingle has appointed former Board of Education member Noemi Pendleton executive director of the Executive Office on Aging, which is part of the state Health Department

She was elected to the state school board in November 1996, serving a four-year term as an O'ahu-at-large member. Pendleton has been a substitute teacher, focusing on history and business law.

The Executive Office on Aging funds aging and caregiver support services through statewide county and community agencies on aging. It also administers federally funded programs that provide Medicare and health insurance counseling, Medicare and Medicaid fraud prevention education, and advocacy for residents of licensed care facilities.

Pendleton now works as a reverse mortgage expert with Central Pacific Home Loans, where she talks with elders about reverse mortgages through statewide seminars. She also is a member of the Ka'elepulu Elementary School Parent Teacher Student Association.

She also served as executive assistant to the director and deputy director of Pacific Air Forces Security Forces at Hickam Air Force Base, where she coordinated special projects, served as Web content manager and oversaw administrative functions.

Pendleton starts her new job Aug. 20.

"Noemi's broad experience in both government and the private sector, and her active leadership in the community, will benefit our Executive Office on Aging," Lingle said. "I appreciate Noemi's commitment to public service, especially as she now focuses on enhancing programs and services throughout the state to help our kupuna."

Pendleton was a licensed representative with AXA Advisors, a financial planning and investment consulting firm. She also served as a recruiting consultant for Remedy Intelligent Staffing.

A graduate of Loma Linda University in California, Pendleton received an MBA from California State University-Dom-inguez Hills.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.