Pacific Century Fellows take a closer look at Guam’s key sectors

Members of the Pacific Century Fellows–Marianas Chapter’s Class of 2021 pose with Guam Power Authority assistant general manager for administration Tricee Limtiaco, fourth left, and assistant general manager for operations Melinda Mafnas, center, after their visit at the agency’s corporate office in Dededo last month during the cohort’s fourth leadership meeting. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The Pacific Century Fellows–Marianas Chapter’s Class of 2021 held the fourth part of its leadership series meeting in the CNMI’s neighboring island last month, giving them insights to key sectors in Guam.

The cohort learned more about Guam’s education, tourism, business, and utility sectors as the 12 Fellows and officials of PCF-Marianas Chapter visited the Guam Community College, Guam Visitors Bureau, Guam Chamber of Commerce, and the Guam Power Authority.

Fellow Nadine Deleon Guerrero said the discussions with GPA assistant general manager of operations Melinda Mafnas and GM for administration Tricee Limtiaco were inspiring as the agency provides training and professional development opportunities to their staff and follow best practices to better serve Guam residents.

“The Guam Power Authority is a stellar example of a well-oiled machine, both literally and figuratively. What’s most impressive is that majority of those in senior positions are local homegrown residents who have gained both the experience and knowledge through appropriate education whether by academics or trade and/or apprenticeship programs,” Deleon Guerrero said.

Billy Grow, another PCF Fellow, noted that through technological advances, improved facilities, and well-trained personnel, GPA managed to lower costs of utilities and increase their revenue at the same time.

As for the tourism sector, Grow said that like the CNMI, Guam, through the leadership of GVB president and chief executive officer Carl Gutierrez, is finding creative ways to revive the tourism industry safely. He mentioned Guam’s Air V&V (Air Vaccination and Vacation) campaign that offers visitors vaccinations in the comfort of their hotel room.

Before meeting with Gutierrez, Grow and company stopped at the Guam Community College and were impressed with how the institution has consistently supported and developed the education of the island’s workforce through its various programs and aligned curriculum.

The cohort then met with Cannabis Control Board representative Adrian Cruz and Guam Sen. Clynt Ridgell, who authored the Guam Cannabis Industry Act of 2019. The Fellows learned that Ridgell used the CNMI’s Taulumwaar Sensible Cannabis Act of 2018 as one of his references when he introduced the bill that led to the legalization of recreational pot. Cruz told the visiting group that the CCB also took its cue from the CNMI as far as formulation of the rules and regulations on marijuana trading is concerned.

The Fellows said that learning the similarities and differences in the operations of key sectors and new industries in the CNMI and Guam and getting insights from experts are very useful as the cohort’s members are somehow involved in these areas or may consider a career in these fields in the future.

The Class 2021’s trip to Guam last July 28 and 29 also included a visit at the Joint Region Marianas, Navy Base-Windshield, Marine Corps Base, Office of the Governor, and the 36th Guam Legislature. The cohorts had an open discussion with then-acting governor Joshua Tenorio, 36th Guam Legislature Speaker Therese Terlaje and senators Amanda Shelton, Sabina Perez, and Christopher Duenas. First Hawaiian Bank executives, led by senior vice president and Guam-CNMI region manager Ed Untalan, hosted a dinner for the visiting group, while the Fellows had a mixer night with the Guam Young Professionals.

The PCF-Marianas Chapter would like to thank the government and private agencies and their representatives for their accommodation and valuable input during the leadership meeting. Up next for the Class of 2021 is Leadership Series Five, which will be held today and will focus on the CNMI government. (PR)