JUAN BORJA TUDELA

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

Spouse: Antonia Masga Tudela
Children: Nine (7 daughters and 2 sons)

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

49-49 Saipan Elementary School

1949-50: St. Frances School, Yoña, Guam

53-53 Father Dueñas Memorial High School, Guam

55-55 University of Oklahoma, Extension Courses

Dale Carnegie Courses (Management)

ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICE

2002-Present: Mayor of Saipan

1989-90: Chairman, CNMI Board of Education

1989-1992: Board of Regents—Northern Marianas College (NMC)

n *Vice-Chairman

1992-1992: Board of Education (first elected board member)

1985-1985: 4th Commonwealth Legislature, Vice-Speaker

3rd Commonwealth Legislature, Vice-Chairman, HEW Committee

76-76 Commissioner of Garapan Village District # 11

-*Chief Commissioner of Commissioners in Saipan

GOVERNMENT SERVICE

1997-1997: CNMI-Resident Executive, Indigenous Affairs Office

1981-1981: CNMI-Procurement and Supply—Purchasing & Procurement Officer & Specialist II

1978-1978: CNMI-District Supply Officer

1969-1969: NTTU-Procurement and Supply

1968-1968: TTPI- Treasury Division, Finance

1967-1967: TTPI-Procurement and Supply—Senior Clerk & Stock Control

1962-1962: NTTU-Security Office—Messenger & Guard

NTTU-Special Services Office—Clerk Typist & Office Manager

NTTU-Post Office Manager & Librarian

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Chairman, Liberation Day

Vice-Chairman, Liberation Day

Chairman, Liberation Day Queens Committee

Vice-Chairman, Liberation Day Queen’s Committee

1995-Present: Knights of Columbus 4th Degree—District Warden

1997-1997: Vice-President, PTA (Marianas High School)

1996-1996: President, PTA (Marianas High School)

1994-1994: President, PTA (Garapan Elementary School)

1992-1992: President, PTA Council

1980-1980: Chairman, Head Start Policy Council

Board of Directors, CAA member

1975-1975: Board Member, Planning Health Council

1973-1973: Chairman, Boy Scouts of America Troop in Garapan

Q. What would you consider the top three issues or concerns facing the CNMI that demand immediate action from our government leaders?

A. First is the economy. Japan Airlines is leaving Saipan, Continental is cutting flights and laying off 100 workers here, Northwest has declared bankruptcy, and the garment industry, which filled the gap since the Asian recession started in 1997 until now, has begun to leave Saipan. As the mayor of Saipan, I must say that reduced government revenues will affect the municipal government as we struggle to continue the delivery of public services to the people.

Second, is the rising cost of fuel, which comes at a time when revenues are declining. We must look to alternative energy, such as solar power, which is free and abundant, to cut utility costs. A solar water heater, for example, can cut your monthly power bill by 30 percent.

Third, we need to develop an attractive program for local students attending schools abroad (academic and vocational) to entice them to come back home to get the kind of jobs they are trained to do with competitive salary/wages and to help revitalize the economy.

Q. What ideas can you bring to the table to revive the CNMI economy?

A. As the mayor of Saipan, I proposed at a CNMI-Interior sponsored investment seminar in Japan two years ago that we provide incentives for investors to build a 1) convention center, 2) retirement or “silver communities” to take advantage of the CNMI’s special retirement visa program, and 3) a cultural center. All of these projects are eligible to receive special tax breaks or CDA qualifying certificates. In addition, we can also support our sister islands’ desire to develop, such as inviting the military to exercise its option to build a base on Tinian, as well as Rota’s and the Northern Islands’ efforts to attract investors.

Q. What is your vision for the Commonwealth and Tinian? And what are the steps that must be taken to achieve that vision?

A. I believe that the CNMI’s excellent location as the closest part of America to Asia makes our island a very attractive international meeting place and a place where any investor must seriously consider. To achieve this vision, we must follow through on our “strategic economic development plans” that include offering incentives to airlines to increase service to Saipan, attracting more tourists from Japan, Korea, China, and elsewhere, and providing tax incentives to long-term investors. This vision can only be achieved if our entire government can work together as a team to improve the “business-friendly” environment that is sorely needed not only to attract investors, but also to keep old investors from leaving, which has now become a serious problem.

Q. What needs to be changed in people’s ways of thinking and doing things as a means to help you achieve your vision?

A. We need to make our visitors and investors feel they have done the right thing by coming to Saipan. Otherwise, we all lose. While I support more schools for Saipan, the news yesterday that PSS wants to build a school on land occupied by one of our oldest investors, the Marianas Resort in Marpi, will scare away any investor. We must change our way of thinking about how we approach all these issues, otherwise we will “kill the goose that lays the golden egg,” which is the tax base that supports our schools, hospitals, and the entire government.