Awards, media coverage and recognition for local businesses making names for themselves in the region and beyond
Bank of Hawaii named to magazine’s list
Bank of Hawaii is the highest ranked of the island’s companies on Forbes magazine’s list of “America’s Best Midsize Employers,” coming in at No. 70 among 500 U.S. companies. In the banking and financial services category, Bank of Hawaii is the 5th highest among 48.
The bank does business in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and Palau.
Forbes partnered with market research firm, Statista, to compile its list of “America’s Best Midsize Employers.” The ranking is based on a survey of about 45,000 people working at U.S. companies with 1,000 to 5,000 employees. Each was asked, on a scale of 0 to 10, if they would recommend their employer to friends and family. In addition, they were asked to name any other employer they would recommend.
The annual ranking was published on February 15 and includes companies across 25 industries. Four other Hawaiian companies appeared on the list. They included Matson Navigation Co., which also does business in Micronesia.
UOG’s Mandapat selected for leadership program
Mandapat
Kyle Mandapat, assistant director for communications at the University of Guam Sea Grant and Center for Island Sustainability, has been selected for the Obama Foundation 2023 Leaders Asia-Pacific program.
He also oversees communications for the National Science Foundation’s Established Program for the Stimulation of Competitive Research or EPSCoR program at UOG.
Mandapat joins 34 others from the Asia-Pacific region who will participate in the leadership program from February to July 2023. The program will offer virtual skill-building workshops, network-building opportunities, and more.
After the program participants will become part of the Obama Foundation’s leadership network. To date, the program has built a network of 270 graduates across 36 nations and territories, working across various sectors and areas.
Leon Guerrero-Tenorio presents 10,000 books to GDOE
Presenting to students of M.U. Lujan Elementary School in Yona were Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Joshua F. Tenorio.
Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Joshua F. Tenorio, along with the Guam Bureau of Statistics and Plans, presented 10,000 coastal education coloring books to the Guam Department of Education at M.U. Lujan Elementary School in Yo’ña.
The books provide an interactive experience for elementary students to learn about Guam’s unique marine and terrestrial environments and to identify important environmental issues facing the island, such as invasive species, erosion control, marine debris, coral reefs, and threats to the local ecosystem.
The Bureau of Statistics and Plans’ Guam Coastal Management Program received $25,000 through the Education Stabilization Fund of the Governor’s Youth Empowerment and Education Assistance Grant Program to produce 20,000 activity and coloring books.
The Guam Coastal Adventure Activity Coloring book was written and illustrated by Cara Lin, a Guam Coral Reef Management fellow, and edited with input from local natural resource managers, including Whitney Hoot, Guam Coral Reef Initiative program manager, and Marie Auyong, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration affiliate. The Chief Hurao Academy also provided input to ensure the book features accurate CHamoru language references.
The second activity book, “Understanding Marine Debris,” features information and activities for children to identify and learn about the importance of preventing marine debris from entering the ocean. The book is an original product of the NOAA Marine Debris Program.
The Mongmong-Toto-Maite GTA village mural was painted by Lucille Ronquillo |
Cutting the ribbon on the mural were (from left) Josh Agerstrand, artist; Krystal Paco-San Agustin, Mongmong-Toto-Maite resident and director of communications, Office of the Governor; Mongmong-Toto-Maite Mayor Rudy A. Paco; Lucille Ronquillo, designer; Sharon Davis, vice president of customer experience; and Nate Denight vice president of marketing; both with GTA. Photos by Justin Green |
GTA brightens Mongmong-Toto-Maite with mural
Teleguam Holdings LLC, which does business as GTA unveiled its latest mural in Mongmong-Toto-Maite. This is the third mural painted as part of the GTA Village Mural Project, which works with various island artists to create murals in all 19 villages across Guam.
GCC program receives seven-year accreditation
(From left) Chef Jeffery Coker, education evaluator, American Culinary Federation Education Foundation; Chef Kennylyn Miranda, chairperson and chief instructor, Guam Community College Culinary Arts Program; and Chef Patricia Curfman, evaluator, American Culinary Federation Education Foundation.
Photo courtesy of Guam Community College
The Guam Community College Culinary Arts Program received a seven-year accreditation from the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission.
Th accreditation is a renewal of the program’s accreditation award in 2017 for the Associate of Arts in Culinary Arts. A team of two federation team members were on Guam to evaluate the program in November 2022.
The strengths the accrediting commission noted about GCC’s Culinary Arts Program were quality design of the program, commitment to the culinary food service department’s strategic plan and goals, kitchen facilities, and communal relationship between faculty and students.
GCC Associate of Arts in Culinary Arts Program prepares students with the knowledge, skills, competencies, and attitude necessary for a successful career in the Culinary Arts Industry. It is now accredited through 2029.
The ACFEF Accredited program status and the many opportunities provided to students to engage in experiential learning such as kitchen laboratory, practicum, and participation in other culinary events validate that the program’s mission and goals coincide with industry standards.
