Uncle Dave now a lifetime Chamber member

From left, Jill Arenovski, Dave Sablan, Velma Palacios, and Rita Sablan. “I am really honored. This came as a surprise. When I saw the award, I got chills throughout my system,” Sablan said. (Bea Cabrera)

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce has made business icon David Sablan a lifetime member for his involvement and commitment in furthering the business community in the CNMI. The recognition is a first in the Chamber’s history.

“We wanted to honor him because he has always been there for the Chamber. He has been a board member and was instrumental in moving things along in any issues that affected the Chamber and the business community,” said Chamber president Velma Palacios.

“We always turn to him for advice, wisdom, and for whatever guidance we need with respect to the government, armed forces, and business community. We know that he is always there for us, that is why the Chamber gave ‘Uncle Dave’ this lifetime honorary membership,” she added.

Sablan, a top caliber executive who wears many hats, has countless contributions to the CNMI government, tourism, economy, community, and the private sector.

“I am really honored. This came as a surprise. I went in the Chamber for a meeting and all of a sudden I was told that the Chamber has something to give me. When I saw the award, I got chills,” he said.

Sablan, a former president/CEO of Century Insurance Co., is a charter member of the Chamber.

His ties with the Chamber actually started with his father, former Saipan mayor Elias Sablan. The latter was one of the original members of the Chamber that goes back to 1959 when it was established.

“I lived in Guam for 18 years and since my father was the mayor of Saipan all the way to 1957, I used to just visit Saipan. I finally returned to Saipan, making it my domicile in 1965. We helped organized the Chamber in 1967 to where it is today,” Sablan said.

At 85, Sablan is an icon in the CNMI business community. He has a story about everyone and everybody has a story about his work, influence, and vision for the business community.

Chamber executive director Jill Arenovski said, “Uncle Dave is the only Chamber member that I know that’s a charter member. He just has so much history about the Chamber that it is really helpful to have him as a resource. If we look back at what was done, Uncle Dave certainly has a story for it.”

“He is the only one that the Chamber has given an honorary lifetime membership. We know that he is retired but even so, we want him to remain in the Chamber because we still need his knowledge,” she added.

Sablan’s vision is for the Chamber to continue to shape the business community and uphold what the original members started.

“Now, we have a very formal president (Palacios) and a very capable executive director (Arenovski) who looks after the business section of our island. What I like to see happen in the future is that other ethnic groups in business must organize themselves and work with the Chamber so we can make the CNMI a better place to do business,” Sablan said.