AD names transition team leaders, members

Governor-elect Arnold I. Palacios and lieutenant-governor-elect David M. Apatang named yesterday their transition team leaders, including Rep. Edwin K. Propst (D-Saipan), who is tasked to oversee the transition process at the Department of Public Safety and Rep. Christina E. Sablan (D-Saipan) at the Infrastructure Recovery Program and at the Office of Planning and Development.

Former representative Juan I. “Liling” Reyes, who is the overall chairman of the Palacios-Apatang transition and inauguration committees, released the list to the media during a press conference at their headquarters in Susupe yesterday morning.

Reyes said the committees will lead the process of ensuring a smooth, timely, and orderly transition of governmental power on Jan. 9, 2023.

Named as members of Propst’s DPS team are Sablan, Joe Aldan Jr., Johnny Tomei, Mike Landon, Tom Blas Jr., Vincent Limes, Paul Murphy, Melissa Jack, and Juan Wabol Jr.

Members of Sablan’s team at the IRP are Sam McPhetres, Katrina Punzalan, Sonya Dancoe, and Efrain Camacho.

Members of Sablan’s OPD team are George Sablan, Katrina Punzalan, Sonya Dancoe, and Efrain Camacho.

Rep. Leila F. Staffler (D-Saipan), who was Rep. Christina Sablan’s running mate in the gubernatorial election, is leading the transition process at the Department of Labor and at the Northern Marianas Technical Institute.

Staffler team members at Labor are Sen. Edith DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan), Candy Feliciano, James Cabrera, Kimberly Acebo, and Dr. Bobbie Cruz.

Staffler’s team members at NMTI are DeLeon Guerrero, Rose Igitol, Joanna Aquino, and Candy Feliciano.

Representative-elect Vince Kobre Aldan will oversee the transition at the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. The members are Rep. Christina Sablan, Albert Taitano, Patrick Guerrero, Mariano Iglecias, Allan Palacios, Travis Jones, Adrian Reyes, Lilian Limes, and former lieutenant governor Tim Villagomez.

Former attorney general Joey Patrick San Nicolas will oversee the transition at the Office of the Governor’s legal counsel. Michael Evangelista is the only member of San Nicolas’ team.

Evangelista will oversee the transition at the Saipan Zoning Office. The members are Daisy M. Propst, Benusto Lisua, and Eleanor Alinas.

Representative-elect Marissa Flores (Ind-Saipan) will lead the transition team at the Victims of Crime Act and Disabilities Council. Her members are Cleo Nenning and Jodie Cabrera.

Tasked to oversee the transition at the Governor’s Office main building is Donna Flores. She will lead the team at the offices of the Special Assistant Administration, Governor’s Executive Assistant, and Scholarship Office. Her members are Trinidad Diaz, Tayna Camacho, Bego Camacho, and Brandon Sers Nicolas.

Dayna Sunderland will lead the team at the offices of Governor’s Special Adviser, and Chief of Staff; Mickey Evangelista at the Senior Policy Adviser, and Special Assistant Legislative/Public Affairs; Brad Ruszala at the Special Assistant Communication/Protocol, and Governor’s Media; and George Q. Camacho at the Lt. Governor’s Office.

Former special assistant for Office of Budget and Management Virginia Villagomez will lead the transition team at the Office of Grants Management, and at the Department of Finance; Revenue and Taxation director Tracy Norita will lead the team at the Office of Management and Budget, Capital Improvement Projects, and Public Assistance Office.

Florence Kirby will lead the team at the Special Assistant Youth Affairs; Gus Litulumar at the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management; former representative George N. Camacho at the Criminal Justice Planning Agency; Clemente Bermudes at Office of Military Affairs and at the Veterans Affairs; Luis Tilipao at the Carolinian Affairs; Acha Lifoifoi at the Indigenous Affairs; Maryann Borja at the Women’s Affairs; and Ben Pangelinan at the Chief of Parole.

Vince Pacho Sablan will lead the team at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library; Maggie Sablan at the Office of Personnel Management; Diego Sablan at the Hinemlu O’hala Para Enteramenti Recovery Center of the Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation Program; Frank Rabauliman at the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality; Sylvan Igisomar at the Office of Transit Authority, and at the Commonwealth Election Commission; Sam McPhetres at the Professional Licensing; and former Department of Corrections Commissioner Lino S. Tenorio at DOC.

Stanley Torres Jr. will lead the transition team at the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services; Manny Pangelinan at the Department of Commerce; former senator Ray Yumul at the Department of Public Works; NMI Museum director Danny Aquino at the Department of Lands and Natural Resources; Yvonne Pangelinan at the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs; and Felix Nogis at the Department of Public Lands.

Teri Camacho will lead the team at the Commonwealth Ports Authority; Marie Coleman at the Marianas Public Lands Trust; Pete R. Reyes at the Northern Marianas Housing Corp., Ray M. Muna at the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority; Nora Sablan Fejeran at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp; Ton Reyes Jr. at Medicaid; Boni R. Pangelinan at Northern Marianas College; and former Marianas Visitors Authority board chair Marian Pierce at MVA.

Patricia Coleman will oversee the transition team at the Public School System and Board of Education; David Sablan at the CNMI Cannabis Commission; Joe Rios at the Commonwealth Casino Commission; Lawrence M. Camacho at the Office of the Public Auditor; Albert Taitano at the Rota boards/commissions; and Esteban Borja at the Tinian boards/commissions.