PCF Marianas chapter names inaugural Fellows

The Marianas Chapter of the Pacific Century Fellows Program held its first annual selection Saturday event on Jan. 18, 2013, at Kanoa Resort, which resulted in the choosing of the first Fellows for this program. A panel of notable community leaders made up the committee of judges picked to screen program applicants. Candidates were evaluated based on outstanding achievements, community recommendations, strength of character, leadership potential, communication skills, and community activities.

The overall candidate pool was stellar and undoubtedly impressive, leaving the judges with no easy task. The 19 candidates were ultimately selected to become First Fellows after a series of interviews, followed by consideration of candidate achievements, and grueling deliberations. The Class of 2014 is an impressive group comprising individuals with ties to Tinian, Guam, and Micronesia; educators and civil servants; representatives of the airlines and tourism industry; as well as representatives of other business sectors both small and large. These selected Fellows are between the ages of 24 and 44, and the program established this age bracket as a means of selecting individuals who are mid-career and looking to move forward on innovative and creative paths.

The PCF Marianas Chapter is a leadership development program with the sole purpose of uniting potential leaders and strong community intellectuals in order to strategically address some of today’s most pressing matters. The Chapter is an extension of the PCF Program based in Honolulu, Hawaii, and founded by former Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann. The program jumpstarts with a Leadership Retreat for building cohesion as a class and tailoring of the program year to better fit the Fellows’ learning and the current issues of our islands. The program year will then carry on with monthly sessions where Fellows will interact with leaders and skilled professionals from various sectors of business and government and all walks of life. The Fellows will graduate upon completion of the program year, and the knowledge gained from the program will go a long way to making more broad-minded leaders, more creative problem-solvers, and more confident global citizens.

Board chairman Jerry Tan extends his congratulations to all of the newly inducted Fellows, and hopes that this adventure will lead all Fellows and the CNMI to a brighter, more solutions-oriented future.

“I am confident this program will be promising in bringing together future leaders, and enhancing their potential and ability to create better and more sustainable solutions for the CNMI,” Tan said. “I am pleased with the launch of the PCF Marianas Chapter, as it comes at a time when we really need fresh ideas at the table to tackle some of our age-old problems. I am hopeful that this program will continue to grow in the CNMI and I wish the Fellows Class of 2014 the very best on this adventurous and worth-while investment.”

The 2014 Fellows Class are the following:

* Frank Lee SN. Borja, teacher/English Department chair, Saipan Southern High School
* Alfreda Camacho, acquisition/oversight management coordinator, Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority
* Joe Taijeron, legal counsel, CNMI Legislative Bureau
* Juan Diego “JD” Tenorio, Budget and Finance director, CNMI Judiciary
* Leo Pangelinan, dean/director of Counseling, Northern Marianas College
* Geralyn Dela Cruz, real estate specialist, Department of Public Works
* Vince Seman, legal counsel, Century Insurance Co./Tan Holdings
* Chris Concepcion, sales account executive, Delta Airlines
* Bobby Cruz, education specialist/program manager, Public School System Central Office
* Velma Palacios, head of network, IT&E
* Michelle Kramer, East West Center-Hawaii
* Emanuel Borja, environmental engineer, Division of Environmental Quality
* Angel Demapan, special assistant for communications & protocol, Office of the Governor
* Lollipop Villagomez, program officer, NMI Council for the Humanities
* Matthew DLGuerrero, consultant for Economic Development, Cornerstone Consulting Services
* Ivan Blanco, grants management specialist, Office of the Governor
* Bruce Iglecias, sales & marketing, MARPAC
* Abner Acosta, general manager, Fiesta Resort Saipan
* Jackie Che, director of Institutional Effectiveness, Northern Marianas College