House hails contributions of Uncle Dave

The House of Representatives presented on Friday a commemorative resolution to community and business leader David M. Sablan in recognition of his contributions and services to the Marianas.

House Commemorative Resolution 15-1 comes in addition to a series of prestigious awards recently received by the 74-year-old Sablan, who has been named the 2005 Guam Business Executive of the Year, the 2005 Saipan Chamber of Commerce Businessperson of the Year, and the 2005 Rotary Citizen of the Year.

Authored by House Floor Leader Florencio T. Deleon Guerrero, HCR 15-1 expresses the lawmakers’ recognition and congratulations for Sablan’s awards and “for bringing honor and distinction to the people of the CNMI and the Territory of Guam in the Pacific Region.”

“The members of the House of Representatives of the 15th Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature and the people of the CNMI are extremely gratified of the exemplary contributions, services, and effective leadership of Mr. Dave Sablan toward the continued development and growth of the CNMI and its people and the triple awards bestowed onto him,” read a portion of the resolution.

The resolution also stated that Sablan’s awards and accomplishments could provide sufficient justification to recommend him for an honorary doctorate degree in business administration or law from the University of Guam.

Sablan, accompanied by his wife Rita, received a certified original copy of the resolution on Friday morning. Copies will also be transmitted to Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Senate President Joseph M. Mendiola, Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio, the CNMI mayors and municipal councils, Guam Gov. Felix P. Camacho, Guam Speaker Mark Forbes, Guam Cong. Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Charles V. Cepeda, and UOG president Harold Allen.

Sablan was born on April 2, 1932. He is married to Rita Camacho Castro Sablan and the father of nine children. He has a vast work experience in business. From being steamship traffic clerk, he worked his way up to become the chairman of Atkins Kroll Guam in the 1950s. He has also served as manager of the Bank of Hawaii Loan Department in Guam in the first half of the 1960s, before assisting in the establishment of Atkins Kroll Branch in San Francisco to provide service to Micronesia in 1965.

He was also instrumental in establishing the Micro Toyota Dealership on Saipan and in 1968, he helped incorporate Saipan Atkins Kroll Branch to Saipan Microl Corp.

In 1976, he founded Tasi Tours and served as the company’s president and co-owner through 1985. He tried his hand in the export business, working out of California from 1989 to 1990.

He has also served as disc jockey for KUAM Radio and hosted Guam’s morning television show “The Early Bird Show” for nine years.

Sablan held several key positions in the CNMI government, including economic consultant from 1979 to 1982; special assistant for planning and budget under Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio; and special assistant for planning and budget under Gov. Lorenzo I. Guerrero.

He was a member of the Marianas Visitors Authority board of directors for 20 years, serving as chairman of the board from 1998 to 2005.

He has also served the federal government, as former President Reagan’s appointee to the Commission on Federal Laws in 1986 and as state chairperson of the Employer Support for the U.S. Military National Guards and Reserves.

Sablan is currently holding executive leadership positions with the Tan Holdings Corp. as president/chief executive officer of Century Insurance Co. Ltd., Century Travel and Tours, and vice president of Asia Pacific Hotels.