FHB, magazine ready to present business award

From left, Pika P. Fejeran, president of Hot Concepts Inc., secretary and treasurer of In the Kitchen Inc., which does business as In the Kitchen, and partner in Guahan Eats, which does business as Pika’s Cafe; Kanae Quinn, owner of Quinn Consulting LLC and co-owner of Marianas Fitness Ltd. which does business as  Gold’s Gym Saipan; Velma Palacios, director of network operations, head of network for CNMI, manager of engineering and manager of plant technical services of IT&E; Glendalyn C. Carolino, president and controller, Polyphase System Inc. and General Electric Material Supply; and Ramona L. Jones, vice president and CEO, Jones and Guerrero Co. Inc. (Contributed Photo)

MAITE, Guam—First Hawaiian Bank and Guam Business magazine will recognize dynamic businesswomen in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands at the 12th annual Businesswoman of the Year Maga’håga Award gala.

The gala will be held on April 29 at the Hyatt Regency Guam in conjunction with the release of the Guam Business May-June issue, which will feature a commissioned photo of the recipient on its cover.

Proceeds from the gala will fund scholarships at the University of Guam, Guam Community College, and Northern Marianas College. Since 2006 the Businesswoman of the Year program has awarded a total of $234,325.50 in scholarships to students in the CNMI and Guam.

The Saipan nominees for this year’s Maga’håga award are Velma Ann M. Palacios and Kanae S. Quinn.

Palacios is director of network operations, head of network for CNMI, manager of engineering and manager of plant technical services of IT&E. Quinn is the owner of Quinn Consulting LLC and co-owner of Marianas Fitness Ltd., which does business as Gold’s Gym Saipan.

The other nominees are Glendalyn C. Carolino, president and controller of Polyphase System Inc. and Guam Electrical Material Supply; Pika P. Fejeran, president of Hot Concepts Inc., partner of Guahan Eats which does business as Pika’s Café, and secretary and treasurer of In the Kitchen Inc., which does business as Kitchen Lingo; Ramona L. Jones, vice president and CEO of Jones and Guerrero Co. Inc.; Melanie Mendiola, project director of Farm to Table Guam’ and Jennifer LG. Rodriguez, owner of Loco Promos.

The nominees are being honored for making significant contributions to their industries and demonstrating a strong commitment to their community.

Tickets for the gala may be purchased by contacting Melinda Sanchez at mindisan@gmail.com and 671-929-5343.

The winner will join the previous Businesswoman of the Year Maga’håga award recipients: Sophia Chu Wisgten, general manager, Hyatt Regency Guam (2016); Joann G. Camacho, director of market development of DFS Guam (2015); Shirley Ann T. Sablan, executive vice president and general manager of Pacifica Insurance Underwriters Inc. (2014); F. Marie Calvo-Monge, chief operating officer and executive producer of Pacific Telestations (2013); Mary P. Rhodes, president of the Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association and president of MARQ Consulting Services (2012); Joyce Q. Crisostomo, executive director of Cars Plus and president of Payless Car Rental (2011); Anna Wang Kao, founder and president of Genghis Khan Furniture Co. (2010); Lorraine S. Okada, president of Okada Managing Consulting Services (2009); Julienne Rose Perez Duenas, physical therapist, owner and clinical director of Sports, Orthopedic and Active Rehabilitation Inc. (2008); Christine Won Pat Baleto, master franchise and store owner, Pacific Froots LLC (2007); and Katherine C. Sgro, executive vice president and chairwoman of the board for Pay-Less Markets Inc. (2006).

Sponsors include United Airlines, Prestige Automobiles, Hyatt Regency Guam, Docomo Pacific, and Triple J Enterprises Inc. (PR)