Awards, media coverage and recognition for local businesses making names for themselves in the region and beyond

Guam ranked as a popular destination for Korean travelers
Agoda, an online travel agency, has ranked Guam as number eight in Micronesia as a popular destination for South Korean travelers during the Lunar New Year, or Seollal. Lunar New Year sees the biggest global migration as travelers around the globe visit family and friends. Other popular destinations for South Korean travelers include Thailand, Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.

Baleto

Guam Chamber elects officers for 2020
The Guam Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors elected its officers for 2020. Christine Won Pat Baleto, chief financial officer of Docomo Pacific and master franchisee of Pacific Froots LLC, was elected as chairwoman of the board. Mark Tokito, senior vice president of Bank of Hawaii was elected as vice chairman and Edward G. Untalan, senior vice president and Guam-Northern Mariana Islands region manager of First Hawaiian Bank was elected as secretary-treasurer.

Wagoner

Magazine gives award to Outrigger group leader
Lodging Magazine named Jeff Wagoner, CEO and president of the Outrigger Hospitality Group, its 2019 Person of the Year. Wagoner has worked in the hospitality industry for 40 years. Outrigger owns 37 properties worldwide, including the Outrigger Guam Resort.

Miyashita

Roland

Two named on Forbes’ list
Daniel A. Roland and Jason B. Miyashita of the Raymond James Guam Office were named on Forbes’ list of best-in-state wealth advisors of 2020. Roland and Miyashita are managing directors, senior vice presidents of investments, senior institutional consultants and founding partners with more than 42 and 18 years of financial services experience, respectively.

Each advisor was chosen based on an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria, which includes industry experience, revenue produced and assets under management.

APAFS joins UN as network supporter
The Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies joined the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Investment organization as a network supporter. Network supporters are non-profit peer organizations that raise awareness of responsible investment within the investment community and support the inclusion of responsible investment in the investment processes of institutional investors.

Two from Guam join advisory commission
Former Guam Public Auditor Doris Flores Brooks and former governor Edward B. Calvo joined President Donald J. Trump’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The two were sworn in by Vice President Michael R. Pence. The initiative works to improve the quality of life for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the U.S. through increased access to and participation in federal programs.

WERI rated outstanding during five-year evaluation
The Water and Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific received the U.S. Geological Survey’s top rating of “outstanding” in its latest five-year evaluation. A panel from the organization evaluated WERI’s activities from fiscal years 2011 to 2015. The panel also commended WERI for its use of community advisory councils and its engagement with other groups to advance water science on the islands.

Science society recognizes student scholar
The Society for Science & the Public has announced the top 300 scholars in its Regeneron Science Talent Search 2020, a prestigious math and science competition for high school seniors. Daniel Kang of John F. Kennedy High School was chosen for his project, Paintable Graphene Nanoplatelet Nanocomposites for Low Cost Sustainable Electronics. Each scholar and their respective school received $2,000 and were chosen based on exceptional research skills, commitment to academics, innovative thinking and promise as scientists.

Diving magazine features Saipan
Marine Diving Magazine, a magazine geared towards Japanese divers, featured Saipan in its March issue. Thomas Kim, marketing manager of the Marianas Visitors Authority, said the magazine has regularly featured the Marianas. The Northern Mariana Islands is known for its dive spots, according to MVA.

SelectCare receives reaccreditation
Calvo’s SelectCare’s health plans received full reaccreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. To earn accreditation, a health plan must demonstrate proper management of all parts of its delivery system, which includes member rights, responsibilities and protections, governance and administrative services.

Airman completes ICE training
The Guam Air National Guard 254th Security Forces Squadron’s Tech. Sgt. Misty Palomo completed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Basic Immigration Enforcement Training Program on Jan. 3 at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Ga.

John Reyes Jr., vice president and business intelligence manager of Bank of Guam, won the 2019 Reina A. Leddy Guam Young Professional of the Year award.
Photo courtesy of the Guam Chamber of Commerce

Guam Chamber names GYP awardee
The Guam Chamber of Commerce named John Reyes Jr., vice president and business intelligence manager of Bank of Guam, the recipient of the Reina A. Leddy Guam Young Professional of the Year award during a ceremony on Jan. 25. The GYP award recognizes individuals who “embody professionalism and integrity in their field of business, as well as their personal life,” according to the chamber.

The Country Club of the Pacific is located in Yona and features an 18-hole golf course.
Photo courtesy of Country Club of the Pacific

Golf course unveils newly renovated portion
The Country Club of the Pacific’s golf course had its 13th green renovated, which included the installation of new turf that is drought tolerant and durable. The renovation is part of a larger plan to renovate the course, which involves other greens and tee boxes, reconditioning of bunkers and improved upkeep of the course’s aesthetics.

Cavanagh

Arenovski

Babauta

Saipan Chamber recognizes awardees
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce hosted its Business Person of the Year Gala on Jan. 25 at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.

The following individuals were recognized:

• Business Person of the Year: Gloria C. Cavanagh, general manager of the Pacific Islands Club Saipan.
• Small Business of the Year: James T. Arenovski, owner of Island Training Solutions.
• Saipan Young Professional of the Year: Nicole Babauta, director of the Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Development Center.