FRANK GUERRERO CEPEDA

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

Spouse: Fe A. Cepeda
Children: Frank, Fred, Fermin, Cathy and Darlene

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Elementary: Chalan Kanoa Elementary School
High School: Tumon Jr./Sr. High School, Guam
College: USAFE Institute

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Retired Sergeant Major from the Green Beret
Previous jobs:

1. US Military, Military Southern Major

2. Military Science Instructor at McKinley High School

3. Special Assistant for Military Affairs CNMI

4. Congressman

5. JROTC program manager

6. Special Assistant for Military Veterans Affairs

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

A. First is to return the trust in our elected leaders, because people are very disappointed and demoralized with the way we look at things here. As far as leadership is displayed here, people are demoralized with the way our leaders do things. We must make sure that people’s morale is restored.

The next one is of course our economy. Being a mayor, we don’t have so much say with regards to the direction of our economy. However, being the mayor of Saipan, we have military assets. Since the garment factory industry has declined, then we would need to find activities to replace this former economic contributor. One is, being an expert in military affairs, I can put things together here, like the military land on Tinian, preposition ships out here, the military units in Okinawa, and we have the Navy out here doing their exercises. With my experience I can put all these things together like coming up with training scenarios for the military to participate. I can put all these military assets that we have around us to come up with some kind of economic activities to enhance our present economic situation.

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

A. The military will not be phased out as long we are part of the United States. The military is the best economic factor to help our economy. So we need to put all these things together.

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

A. First, like any organization, it all starts with you, your character. I would like to provide a reflection for a strong and honest government and it should start with me, from the mayor’s office. The mayor’s office should have Surety Sections that cover administration, PIO, operations, supply and logistics, community relations, and community and voice of the people for feedback to make sure we cover everything. With this chain of command you cannot miss anything. This is a safeguard in itself. So I would like to see someone like me providing a reflection of the right direction for our CNMI. I want to show this direction to the young people to provide them the opportunity to witness this type of setup for their future and that is what I want to see. Anything like education platform, that’s just words. But if you provide true leadership, a leader must be told that education is important. Are we electing the people who are qualified?

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. Education. First of all, as a mayor I would be a mentor, showing people not only theories but also in physical, by example. Showing them pragmatically. Show them what you are talking about. If you hire a person who is not qualified, you as a leader have to make sure that he learns his job, so public service is given out accordingly. Education, yes, we have PSS to thank for that. As a mayor, I would support the PSS.