After nearly a quarter of a century, family-owned Outrigger Enterprises Group is changing leadership.

Richard R. Kelley, chairman of Outrigger Enterprises Group Inc., has passed the reins to his son, Charles Roy "Chuck" Kelley. The 77-year-old now serves as chairman emeritus of the company that his parents Roy C. and Estelle Kelley, founded more than 60 years ago.

His son-in-law David P. Carey III, who spearheaded the company’s expansion from Waikiki into the neighbor islands, Asia and the Pacific, continues as Outrigger’s president and chief executive. The changes, which took effect Aug. 4, were approved by the company’s board of directors, which comprises family members, including the two Kelleys and Carey, and four outside directors.

"My dad is a tough act to follow, and I’m glad he’s planning to remain actively engaged — ‘hyperactively’ is probably a better word for the way he lives and works — for a long time to come," the younger Kelley said. "I’m going to rely on him and David for their wisdom and leadership as we continue to evolve and expand the Outrigger brand of hospitality."

Richard Kelley, who is credited with taking Outrigger beyond its mom-and-pop business origins, said the change does not signal his retirement.

"I plan to keep doing most of what I’ve been doing since stepping down as CEO in 1993, but I’m asking Chuck to take over the considerable governance work involved in chairing the board," he said.

In addition, Charles Kelly will continue to serve as vice president for Outrigger’s KF Development Group, which has oversight responsibility for the company’s Advisory Board of Directors and its investor-related services.

Outrigger operates or has under development 44 properties with close to 11,000 rooms in Hawaii, Australia, Guam, Fiji, Bali, Thailand, Vietnam and China. The company, which owns 50 percent of Outrigger Lodging Services, also operates and develops hospitality-related retail and real estate opportunities.