SCC celebrates success, winners of its BPOY Gala

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce shares the success of its Annual Business Person of the Year Gala that happened last Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at the Hibiscus Hall of the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan. The night was filled with laughter, fun, delicious food, and good vibes. The emcees for the event were Marcia Nishimura-Calvo and Brad Ruszala. Entertainment was provided by SoundHire and The High Tide Band.

During the event, SCC celebrated and recognized the installation of the 2023 board of directors installed and signed to oath by Judge Kenneth I. Govendo. This year’s board of directors are: Joseph Guerrero, president (Naked Fish Bar & Grill); Dr. Joshua Wise, vice president (PHI Pharmacy); Janice Tenorio, treasurer (IT&E CNMI); Donna Krum, secretary (Friends First Marketing); Alex Sablan, director (Tan Holdings); Velma Palacios, director (IT&E CNMI); Nicole Babauta, director (Docomo Pacific); Ron Smith, director (Angil Design, Inc.); and John Arroyo, director (Bank of Saipan).

In addition, the announcement of this year’s BPOY award winner was presented to John Jay Santos of Triple J Five Star Wholesale Foods and Triple J Payless Superfresh & Truckload Store.

The other awardees of the night were the Kagman Isla Community Health Center, which was awarded the 2022 Non-Profit of the Year Award; Bistro Boyz, which was awarded the 2022 Start-Up of the Year Award; Paradise Dental Spa, which was awarded the 2022 Small Business of the Year Award; and the Marianas Alliance of Non-Governmental Organizations, which was awarded the 2022 Chamber Member of the Year Award.

The sponsors for the event were:

• Gold sponsors: The ERC Group, Docomo Pacific, and United Airlines.
• Silver sponsor: Tan Siu Lin Foundation and Marianas Pacific Distributors, Inc. (MARPAC).
• Event sponsor: Burger Comer & Associates, LLC, McDonald’s of Guam and Saipan, Assurance Brokers Inc. (Saipan), Micronesian Resort, Inc., and Bridge Capital, LLC.
• In-kind sponsor: Atkins Kroll Saipan, Calvo’s Insurance, Angil Design Inc., 360 Enterprises, Island Training Solutions, Triple J Saipan, Inc., Hyatt Regency Saipan, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, Godfather’s Bar, World Resort Saipan, Pacific Health, Inc. dba PHI Pharmacy, IT&E CNMI, Naked Fish Bar & Grill, Pacific Trading Co., Turnkey Solutions, D&Q International Distributors, Coca-Cola Beverage Co. (Micronesia), Inc., 500 Sails, LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort, Western Sales Trading Co., and First Hawaiian Bank.

“The Chamber shares its greatest thanks to everyone who came to the BPOY Gala last Saturday, January 21, 2023, at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan. The gala would not have been possible without the help of the Chamber executive director’s office team, SCC board of directors, SCC Events Committee chair Marcia Nishimura-Calvo, SCC Events Committee, the SCC Membership, the Crowne Plaza Resort Team, most especially director of Banquet and Events, Mr. Das Krishnan, and the gala sponsors for the event,” said the SCC in a news release yesterday.

The BPOY gala serves as the SCC’s largest annual fundraiser for Chamber programming. Activities such as the Scholarship program, online seminars, workforce development training, small business support, and more to benefit its membership and local community.

In addition, the event honors past Business Person of the Year recipients, current nominees, and the SCC board of directors. Additionally, the event celebrates the installation of the 2023 board of directors. (PR)