Ada takes over as acting Commerce chief

Gov. Benigno Fitial has nominated Michael Ada to serve as Commerce secretary after his predecessor and former boss James Santos resigned last week ahead of his pending trial on federal fraud and theft charges.

Previously Commerce’s deputy secretary, Ada took the post as its acting chief Tuesday after returning from a trip to Seattle, Washington, where he presented a grant proposal to the federal Economic Development Administration.

The governor’s spokesman, Charles Reyes, on the same day confirmed Fitial has sent a letter to the Senate nominating Ada to retain his new job permanently. Senate lawmakers must choose whether to approve the nomination.

Ada—once a corporate trainer for AT&T—spent the first day in his new post in conferences with the directors of Commerce’s various divisions, he said during an interview, and is eyeing some key departmental changes such as realigning his staff to improve efficiency. Santos also spoke with him by phone yesterday to offer words of encouragement, he added.

“One of the biggest challenges for me is going to be getting my hands around all the different departments within Commerce and all their specific needs,” said Ada, who joined Commerce 10 months ago. “There are some things I’d like to do differently to make sure the department is doing the best with the people we have.”

A key project on Ada’s agenda now is the $110,000 grant proposal he presented in Seattle for the drafting of a comprehensive CNMI economic development plan focused on local infrastructure needs, he said.

Ada is also rallying support for an Aug. 28 business forum at the World Resort. The event will focus on, among other issues, improving the local government’s relationship with the private sector and the business community’s concerns surrounding the pending federal takeover of the CNMI’s immigration and foreign labor rules.

Appointed as Commerce secretary in 2006, Santos is now facing charges of wire fraud, conspiracy and theft involving federal funds. He resigned voluntarily last week after taking a leave of absence.

Federal authorities say Santos, his wife Joaquina, former Commonwealth Utilities Corp. executive director Anthony Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Timothy Villagomez engaged in a scheme to bilk CUC out of hundreds of thousands through needless chemical purchases.

Guerrero has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy in a deal with federal prosecutors and could testify when the case reaches a jury trial in October. The Santoses and Villagomez have pleaded not guilty.