Awards, media coverage and recognition for local businesses making names for themselves in the region and beyond
Plankton as seen through a microscopic lens.
Photo courtesy of the Palau International Coral Reef Center
Palau National Marine Sanctuary named a Blue Spark
The Marine Conservation Institute and the Palau International Coral Reef Center announced that Palau National Marine Sanctuary is a Blue Spark marine protected area. The Marine Conservation Institute collaborates with Blue Spark partners to plan and improve its management and implementation of the Marine Protected Area, using the Blue Spark Award criteria as the blueprint for a better protected ocean.
The sanctuary is one of the world’s largest marine protected areas, closing 80% of Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone to all forms of extractive activity — or activity that damages species in the area beyond renewal. The sanctuary protects nearly 800 known vertebrate species of the Indo-Pacific region.
Sen. Amanda L. Shelton and Mike Gipson, assembly member for California and chairperson for the Council of State Governments West.
Photo Courtesy of the Office of Senator Amanda L. Shelton
State council recognizes Guam senator
The Council of State Governments has recognized Sen. Amanda L. Shelton as one of 20 elected and appointed leaders from across the United States.
The council’s 20 Under 40 Leadership Award is given annually to younger leaders “who not only exemplify strong leadership skills but have also demonstrated a true commitment to serving the citizens of their state [or] territory.” Shelton also recently completed the council’s Toll Fellowship program in Lexington, Ky. for which she was recognized by the council.
Shelton is legislative secretary and chairwoman of the Committee on Maritime Transportation, Parks, Tourism, Higher Education and the Advancement of Women, Youth and Senior Citizens of the 37th Guam Legislature.
(From left) Presiding Judge Alberto C. Lamorena III; Judge Maria T. Cenzon; Danielle T. Rosete, administrator of the courts; Hannah Gutierrez Arroyo, Supreme Court clerk of court; Chief Justice Robert J. Torres; Aaron T. Quitugua, administrative services officer; Erica R. Eschbach, Supreme Court staff; Justice F. Philip Carbullido; M. Grace Rosadino, court programs administrator; Amber Elizabeth G. Toves, network specialist; Justice Katherine A. Maraman.
Photo Courtesy of the Judiciary of Guam
Supreme Court of Guam receives reporting award
The Supreme Court of Guam was honored during the December judicial council meeting with the Reporting Excellence Award for Data Submissions by the National Center for State Courts.
The award acknowledges exceptional leadership and resourcefulness of reporting caseload data.
According to the Judiciary of Guam, since 2015, the Supreme Court of Guam consistently reports publishable caseload data for 100% of the 33 applicable case types covering all categories collected by the Court Statistics Project.
Bank receives marketing awards
Bank of Guam received six MarCom Awards, which are sponsored and judged annually by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.
The bank received the following awards in November:
Three Platinum awards in integrated marketing, crisis communications/response and platinum in crisis communications/public relations for its Rebuild stronger every day campaign in the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar;
Gold for its 2022 annual report, titled “A Vision from the Past. A Plan for the Future. (2022 Year in Review)” from the BankGuam Holding Co. and including Bank of Guam, BankGuam Insurance, ASC Trust, and BG Investment Services. The theme was based on Jesus in Little America, written by Jesus S. Leon Guerrero, founder of the bank.
Gold in communications/public relations for the Hagåtña City Run & Block Party, also a fundraiser for Guam Cancer Care; and an Honorable Mention in integrated marketing for the Proud to Be Locally Owned multi-channel advertising campaign, launched during Super Bowl LVII, which focused on small business owners.
About 6,500 print and digital entries are received annually from dozens of countries, according to the association. The award program began in 2004.
Governor receives Professor John M. Phillips award
Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero was awarded the Professor John M. Philips Excellence in Government Accountability Award. The annual award, selected by the Guam Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants, recognizes a government professional who exemplifies excellence in government, outstanding leadership, high ethical standards, and innovative management procedures.
College chairman appointed to Association of Community College Trustees
Charles V. Cepeda, chairman of the board of regents of The Northern Marianas College has been appointed by Jay Nardini, chairman for the Association of Community College Trustees to serve on the ACCT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the Association of Community College Trustees.
Members of the committee promote respect for and acceptance of diverse individuals and promote awareness and educational opportunity for underrepresented populations.
Cepeda, who is general manager of Pacific Trading Co., was appointed by Jay Nardini, chairman of the association. He was elected to the Regional Nominating Committee of the Association in 2022.
The Guam Brewery received the Asia Beer Championship Stout silver award. Photo Courtesy of The Guam Brewery
Guam brewery receives awards for selection of beers
The Guam Brewery announced it was awarded multiple accolades at the highly competitive 2023 Asia Beer Championship in Singapore.
After submitting its best beers from 2023, the Guam Brewery received a silver medal in the Stout Category for its Duendes Foreign Export Stout.
The brewery also received two Chairman’s Selection awards for its Class of 72 lager and Island Ipa India Pale Ale.
