Brennan to serve another term as Chamber president

President Douglas Brennan hopes to improve the business climate in the CNMI after getting the nod of Saipan Chamber of Commerce members during the organization’s elections Wednesday.

Brennan, the general manager of Microl Corp, was elected to another one-year term along with vice president Vincent J. Seman, Century Insurance Co., Ltd. general/legal counsel; secretary Jolene G. Torres, Marianas International Travel Agency managing director; and treasurer Michael S. Johnson, managing partner of Deloitte on Saipan and in Palau.

Melvin Tenorio, Marianas Pacific Distributors, Inc. sales manager; Velma Palacios, IT&E Engineering and Plant Technical Services manager; and Alex Sablan, Saipan Shipping Co. marketing manager, were also elected to two-year terms as directors, joining Dave M. Sablan of CIC and Aya Matsumoto of Pacific Eagle on the Chamber board. Sablan and Matsumoto are in the last year of their two-year terms.

Brennan said he will continue “to promote and protect business, economic and civic interests within our islands” as he looks forward to another term as president of the Chamber.
When asked about the biggest challenges currently facing the Chamber, Brennan said: “Supply and demand.”

“There aren’t enough investors in the CNMI, and the cost of doing business in the CNMI continues to climb. The Chamber plans to be active in addressing both in 2012,” he said.

In his message to members in the Chamber’s newsletter, Brennan said: “The economy has forced changes in how we conduct our business. We need to look at where we can create jobs, not lose them. We need to build solid public/private partnerships like we have done with our visiting military vessels. We also need to find ways to improve the island standard of living for all our residents, while reducing the cost of living and educating our youth in ways that will allow them to take us to a higher standard. Trying to help build that future for our children while still maintaining an amazing island community culture continues to drive me.”

The annual Chamber Installation Dinner where Brennan and company will be feted is set on Jan. 14, 2012.

Brennan also took the opportunity to invite the community to a series of workshops to educate businesses on how to engage in federal contracting set for Nov. 10.

On Dec. 4, the Chamber will also conduct its annual Student Exploration Day for high school students.
The Chamber will then host its annual Holiday Golf Tournament at Coral Ocean Point on Dec. 17.

The Chamber election Wednesday coincided with a “meet and greet” session with Maritime Prepositioning Ships Squadron Three on Saipan Commander Capt. Deidre McLay.