Benavente terminated as MVA head

The Marianas Visitors Authority board decided yesterday to terminate the employment of MVA managing director Vicky I. Benavente effective Jan. 13, 2006.

MVA board chair David M. Sablan who spoke to the media after the board’s meeting yesterday morning said the decision was supported by the entire board.

“As chairman I decided to take the initiative to terminate the managing director. I have the support of the rest of the board to proceed with the termination,” Sablan told reporters.

He said this action is to accord the new constituted board under the Fitial-Villagomez administration to appoint a new managing director.

“I feel that it’s appropriate that we accord the new governor to make appointments to the board and the constituted board to hire a new managing director,” said Sablan.

MVA legal counsel Eric Smith was with Sablan during the interview, giving credence that the board’s action was legal.

Sablan said the board “has been fully and completely satisfied with Benavente’s performance” but it wants to give the new leadership a free hand to choose the next MVA head.

Sablan said that he himself will tender a courtesy resignation after the Jan. 9 inauguration of the new governor.

He said submission of courtesy resignations is a decision by individual board members.

The MVA board consists of five appointed members and four elected members from the tourism industry.

The board has two vacant appointive positions, left by businessman James Linn and Tinian member Martin San Nicolas.

Sablan said he appointed MVA chief accountant Tess Castro to be an acting head of the agency effective Jan. 14.

Castro’s appointment would remain valid for no more than 89 days.

The current acting deputy managing director, Martin Duenas, will go back to his previous position as a civil service personnel, the board chairman said.

Meantime, Benavente who is married to outgoing Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, declined to comment yesterday about her termination, saying she would give an official statement later.

Benavente is set to go on leave for a week next week and be back to pack up for her exit in January.

Benavente officially took over the position in June 2004, replacing Jonas Ogren.

She served as deputy managing director from 1998 until her appointment as head of MVA last year.

Benavente started as a management intern and marketing assistant under then Marianas Visitors Bureau in 1988.

Prior to this, she worked at the Hyatt Regency Saipan as an assistant front office manager for three years.

She also operated and managed a family business for over 17 years.

Benavente currently sits on various boards, such as the Marianas Education Tourism Council, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Heart of the Marianas, and the Saipan Fishermen’s Association.

She received her education from the College of Southern Idaho and the University of South Carolina, Columbia.

Early this year, Benavente has been selected for inclusion in the Manchester Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women.

Benavente was to be included in the 2004/2005 Honors Edition of the registry, an honor given to a select few who made outstanding achievements in their field.