Matson Guam executive is promoted to VP

Bernadette “Bernie” Valencia

GUAM—Matson, Inc. announced yesterday the promotion of Bernadette “Bernie” Valencia to the position of vice president, expanding on her role as general manager for Guam and Micronesia.

As Guam and Micronesia GM for the last four years, Valencia has overseen operations and has become the recognizable representative of Matson in the community.

In her new role as vice president, Valencia will manage the new Naha, Okinawa service that made its first call on Sept. 2, 2017.

“Bernie’s exemplary leadership has been instrumental in our growth in the Western Pacific as well as solidifying Matson’s leadership role in the Port of Guam and the region’s business community,” said Vic Angoco, senior vice president, Pacific. “Bernie has helped the company build longstanding relationships with our customers and our local teams in Guam and Micronesia.”

Valencia joined Matson in 2008 as manager, sales and customer service, Guam & Micronesia, with responsibility for all sales and customer service activities in Guam, the CNMI, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. She was later promoted to regional manager, sales and customer service.

“I am proud of this new role as it recognizes the unparalleled work that my entire team has achieved in the region,” said Valencia. “Guam is my hometown, so I am honored to be entrusted by our chairman Matt Cox and our senior vice president Pacific Vic Angoco with a larger role in helping Matson to establish more roots locally and serving our customers and communities throughout the region.”

Prior to her work with Matson, Valencia spent 14 years with Mobil Oil Guam & Micronesia, Inc., where she held various management positions, responsible for overseeing Mobil’s bulk fuel terminal operations and engineering throughout Guam and Micronesia. She earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance from San Jose State University.

Most recently, Valencia oversaw the acquisition of land and construction of Matson’s new regional headquarters along Marine Corps Drive in Guam. This multi-million-dollar project, which celebrated its grand opening at the end of August 2017, commemorated Matson’s 21 years of serving the region and underscores Matson’s commitment to Guam and the region.

Angoco added, “As a proud daughter of Guam, Bernie leads her team with the mission of serving the communities in which they live and work.”

Valencia serves as a member of the boards of many local organizations such as the Guam Chamber of Commerce, the Employer’s Council, i*Recycle, iCan Resources Inc., and the Guam Contractor’s Association Trades Academy. She also serves on the USO Advisory Council and the University of Guam Small Business Advisory Council.

Founded in 1882, Matson is a leading U.S. carrier in the Pacific. Matson provides a vital lifeline to the economies of Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Micronesia and select South Pacific islands, and operates a premium, expedited service from China to Southern California. For more information about Matson, go to www.matson.com. (PR)