EXCLUSIVE: Chris Dods Tapped as President of Webco Hawaii

Chris Dods, former Chief Operating Officer of First Hawaiian Bank, has been tapped as President of Webco Hawaii, marking a significant milestone in the company’s generational transition and long-term modernization strategy.

Chris brings nearly two decades of senior leadership experience across banking, private equity and operations. His career has been defined by building and optimizing complex organizations, with a consistent focus on scale, efficiency, and long-term value creation.

Chris and his partner took an equity position in Webco Hawaii late last year, and on December 8, he officially assumed the role of President.

In 1966, Greg Gomes founded Webco Hawaii, distributing one brand from the trunk of his car, earning $578 in gross revenue in its first month. Today, Webco Hawaii works with 150 manufacturers, representing over 300 brands with teams across the state.

The Gomes family remains integral to the company’s leadership and legacy, with Patrick Gomes—Greg’s grandson—serving as Chris’s operating partner.  Patrick will assume the title of CEO.

Under Chris’s leadership, Webco Hawaii is focused on modernizing its operations through centralized warehousing in Kapolei, enhanced inventory management and forecasting capabilities, and scalable technology platforms designed to support future growth.

“This is about honoring a great legacy while building a modern, efficient organization that can serve Hawai‘i for generations to come,” Chris said.

Chris spent 18 years at First Hawaiian Bank, including serving as Chief Operating Officer, where he helped lead an organization recognized for operational excellence and continuous improvement. Over time, however, he felt increasingly drawn toward work that was more tangible and more deeply connected to the local community.

“Over the last five years, I felt like I was missing something,” Chris said. “I promised myself and my family that I would take a year to really think about what I wanted to do next—to find something that mattered, not just professionally, but personally.”

That period of reflection ultimately led him to Webco Hawaii, the state’s largest wholesale distributor, following conversations surrounding the passing of longtime leader Greg Gomes. What stood out to Chris was Webco Hawaii’s essential role in Hawai‘i’s infrastructure and its position as a legacy company navigating a generational transition at a time when scale, efficiency, and technology are more critical than ever.

“Webco Hawaii plays a meaningful role in Hawai‘i every single day,” Chris said. “When there’s a hurricane warning and shelves are cleared of essentials, we’re the company bringing those products into the state. I wanted to be part of something that is truly critical to the fabric of Hawai‘i.”