Congratulations to these top-tier members of the business community for their long-standing contributions to our islands.
In the current economic climate, companies on Guam and in the Northern Mariana Islands are proud to show their success and longevity in serving the people of our islands. Guam Business Magazine presents outstanding companies that are doing business in Micronesia celebrating important milestones in 2024. Through inspiration and dedication, each of them has managed to stay on course in a region that has seen more than its fair share of challenges for decades.
These leaders in their fields have ensured quality and reliability to consumers and businesses alike and have given back to the communities in which they do business, setting an example for others to follow. Guam Business is privileged to honor these companies’ milestones and brings readers a special Corporate Anniversaries feature with a closer look at their endeavors.
Herman’s Modern Bakery
Celebrating 80 years of baking in Saipan
What started out as a small bakery in a damaged Japanese building in the 1940s, has evolved into a staple in Saipan’s community and now Herman’s Modern Bakery is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.
The bakery was founded by Herman R. Guerrero, known as “Herman Pan” and also as “Saipan’s breadman.” Herman got his start as a baker through an apprentice at the Shimada Bakery in Garapan during the late 1930s. After U.S. military forces captured the island in 1944, Naval personnel requested that Herman open a bakery to supply bread to the island and war survivors. As compensation, Herman earned $20 monthly, as well as supplies and materials to open the shop.
After one year, the Naval Administration allowed Herman to operate the bakery privately, which served locals as well as Naval personnel with great success.
One of Herman’s proudest moments and memories was the visit of Adm. Chester Nimitz in 1944.
“I was so happy that Admiral Nimitz came to visit the small bake shop. I gave him a small loaf of fresh bread. At the time, I didn’t speak English, so I don’t know how he liked it for sure, but he smiled. I was so happy to see that big man,” he told Guam Business Magazine.
In 1978, the building moved to Airport Road, where it remains to this day. Shortly following this move, the bakery changed its name to Herman’s Modern Bakery Inc. to reflect the changes in Saipan at the time. Additionally, Airport Road was renamed Tun Herman Pan Road in 1995 in honor of Herman’s legacy.
After his passing in 1997, the operation of Herman’s Modern Bakery has remained firmly in the Guerrero family till this day with Herman’s children and now grandchildren playing different roles in the bakery’s operation.
The current president of Herman’s is Herman T. Guerrero, also known as “Jun Pan.” He has held this position since 2015.
Michael Guerrero took over operations of Herman’s Modern Bakery in 2022 as general manager, succeeding his aunt, Anna G. Hayes, Michael’s aunt and the fourth youngest of Herman Pan’s 12 children. Annie, as she is known, served as the bakery’s general manager for eight years of her 31-year career at Herman’s.
Jesus T. Guerrero also known as “Jesus Pan,” and the eldest of the sons, held the position of general manager in the 1980s to mid-1990s.
Juan T. Guerrero – also known as “Juan Pan,” who is Herman’s sixth child, and Michael’s father, has also worked with the bakery, making his own contributions to propel the business forward, since 1971.
Besides Michael Guerrero, the rest of the current management team include Joseph Guerrero, assistant general manager, Lenora Leon Guerrero, cafe manager. Joseph Guerrero Jr., production manager, Rudy Guerrero, sales manager, and Tricia Diaz, food service manager.
Today, the bakery continues to sell bread, hot food, and other baked goods. In addition, the business provides custom cake services for birthdays and other celebrations, and more services. Tan Marikita’s Café remains as popular as ever and offers a variety of special menu offerings to celebrate with the island throughout Herman’s anniversary year.
Given its support from around the islands, the bakery hopes to expand out of Saipan to Guam and the rest of the Northern Mariana Islands in the next few years.
Michael Guerrero is grateful to the community for the overwhelming support for Herman’s bakery during the last 80 years and aims to continue providing quality service.
“I would just like to thank the community for supporting us as they have,” he said. “We’re not going anywhere; we’re going to help our community out by giving our services to them.” On behalf of all at Herman’s, he says, “Si Yu’us Ma’ase, Ghillisow, Sulang, Maraming Salamat Po, Kamagar, Kirisou Chapur, and God Bless.”
AM Insurance
Celebrating 30 years of forging meaningful relationships
What had started as a sole proprietorship of just a handful of people working out of a garage in January 1994, to incorporating two years later in June 1996 has grown into one of Guam’s and the Northern Mariana Islands top firms. AM Insurance Inc. is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
An insurance brokerage, AMI provides services to individuals, businesses, government entities, religious organizations, and non-profit organizations. The types of policies overseen by AMI include motor vehicle, home, life, liability, property, and crime. Over the years, its managed dossier of accounts has totaled more than $10 million. AMI is also Guam’s and the NMI’s leading broker for commercial and excess surplus lines.
As a brokerage, AMI’s goal is to connect clients to local or international insurance providers as well as provide appropriate recommendations based on their needs. In addition to this, the firm also provides account management services and claims assistance.
AMI is managed by Annmarie T. Muna, the firm’s president and general manager, who founded the brokerage and operates today with a staff of 25 full time, part time, and contracted employees. Muna manages the firm with Rodney Rankin, vice president of business development, Tricia Granillo, vice president of government accounts/marketing, Juan Muna, vice president of insurance services, Antonita O. Blas, vice president of administrative services, and Jennifer Muna Aguon, vice president of IT/special projects.
The brokerage started in 1994 in the garage of Muna’s parents home, with seed money from her colleague, Ikushi Harada, from where it won its first government account. That year also saw AMI partnering with Lloyd’s of London to provide excess and surplus lines insurance coverage. The next year the company expanded, moving to Muna’s studio office in her home and adding another two employees to the growing firm until 1997, where the firm moved into the J&G Commercial Center in Hagatna, where it is located today.
A core philosophy of AMI is building successful relationships with their clients and really understanding their needs. The company takes a personalized approach with each account they manage and offer tailored solutions to meet their unique needs. “Our success also came from something simple – our ability to truly understand both sides – client’s needs and the complexities of the insurance market. We understood what our customers needed and put all our energy into delivering it,” Muna says.
AMI is always looking for new ways to help clients. Today, it is exploring solutions that take advantage of the latest technology. “Businesses are looking for smarter, more efficient ways to operate, and we’re looking into solutions that take advantage of the latest technology,” the management team said. Additionally, the company plans on building alternate market resources and access to provide more solutions for their current and future clients.
Through the years, AMI credits the community, its partners, and its clients with the success the firm sees today. “As we celebrate this special moment, we want to send a heartfelt thank you to our community, partners, and clients. Your support has meant everything to us, and we couldn’t have gotten here without you. Looking to the future, we’re more excited than ever to keep growing together. Our mission stays the same: adapt-improvise-overcome, continue delivering the best we can, and always be there for the people who’ve helped us along the way,” the management team said.
