Youn is Chamber’s 2015 Business Person of the Year

Alex Youn, president of AC Pacific, LLC (Star Sands Plaza), is this year’s recipient of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Year award. He was selected among four other nominees this year namely Jim Arenovski of Island Training Solutions, Nola Hix of Xerox Corp., Jody Jordahl of Bridge Capital, LLC, and Rose Soledad of IT&E. (Frauleine Villanueva-Dizon)

Alex Youn is Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Year for 2015.

Youn is the president of Ace Investment Group, LLC, which is a real estate investment and development company and AC Pacific, LLC which is operating as Star Sands Plaza—I Love Saipan.

In his brief acceptance speech during Saturday’s Chamber installation dinner at the Fiesta Resort & Spa, Youn said he wasn’t expecting the award since he is not well known.

“I wasn’t expecting to receive this award. The reason was, I spoke to Ms. Vicky [Benavente] this afternoon, and we were discussing about some voluntary work,” Youn said.

Benavente was last year’s recipient of the Chamber award.

“At the end of the conversation, she told me, ‘I never met you. Do I know you?’ So I was thinking that last year’s recipient don’t even know me so I would never get a chance to win because I’m sure she didn’t vote for me,” he added light-heartedly.

Youn is a graduate of Marianas High School and later on studied in New Delhi, India, majoring in South East Asian studies.

Upon returning to the island, he worked initially as sales manager for the Korean market of Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino. He later on worked as the general manager of the U.S Fashion Group, managing Papaya Clothing, Everblue Factory Outlet, and Sports America. In 2008, he moved to AC Pacific, LLC.

Aside from his business roles, Youn also served important Korean-CNMI relational organizations. He was appointed as Civilian Consular Assistant by the Consulate Republic of Korea and has served the Korean Association of Saipan board of directors for three years. He was also appointed by the president of the Republic of Korea as a member of the National Reunification Council for three years.

Youn is also currently serving as the vice president of the Korean Taekwondo Association of Saipan.

Youn thanked the Chamber and added that he will be taking on a more active role as a member.

“Looking at everybody, I only know 30 percent of the members here tonight. I think I should be more active in the Chamber’s committee work.” Youn said.

“Thank you very much and it’s my honor to be here and I would like to say thank you to all the members of the Chamber of Commerce and my management team,” he said.

Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Ind-MP) also awarded Youn with a Congressional commendation.

“Thank you for your contribution to our commonwealth and to the businesses,” Sablan said, handing out a plaque to Youn.

“I try to do this every year to the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Year,” he added.

In an interview, Youn said he is looking at joining the Chamber’s small business committee.

Youn said his business, the fruits of his labor, were the ones recognized by the awards.

“I personally think that my business is recognized, not me. I’m not very well known…but I think I got this award because of the reputation of my business,” Youn said.

Other nominees this year are Jim Arenovski of Island Training Solutions, Nola Hix of Xerox Corp., Jody Jordahl of Bridge Capital, LLC, and Rose Soledad of IT&E.

The nominations were judged by the recipients of the prestigious award in the past 18 years including last year’s winner Vicky Benavente of Pacific Islands Club who presented the award Youn, Marcie Tomokane of Bank of Guam (2013), James Arenovski of Delta Management Corp (2011), Robert “Bob” Jones of Triple J Corporation (2010), and Vicente “Ben” Babauta of DFS Saipan (2009) to name a few.