Local attorney and veteran government employee Jesse Souki is the preferred pick to lead a state agency regulating development in Kakaako.

The Hawaii Community Development Authority said Thursday its board will consider appointing Souki as the agency’s executive Wednesday.

HCDA has been led for a year by interim Executive Director Adeward Los Banos, after the agency’s former leader Anthony Ching left for medical reasons.

Souki previously served as deputy corporation council for Maui and Honolulu counties, led the state Office of Planning and was first deputy director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. He currently is director of planning, permitting and right-of-way for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation.