Palau President Thomas E. Remengesau Jr. on Sept. 21 received the 2014 Leadership Award from the Ocean Elders, a group of global leaders who support ocean protection for his efforts to create a fully protected marine sanctuary in more than 80% of Palau’s waters. He was recognized with the award at a dinner in New York while attending the United Nations session.

Atty. Howard G. Trapp was presented with the Cristobal C. Duenas Excellence Award presented by Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood and U.S. magistrate judge Joaquin V.E. Manibusan Jr. on Aug. 28. The award recognizes achievements in and advancements of the legal profession. Trapp began clerking for Eugene R. Gilmartin, judge of the District Court of Guam, in 1960, began his legal practice in 1962 and worked in various private law firms, including Trapp & Gayle. He continues his practice full-time as Howard Trapp Inc.

Rhea de Vera-Aguirre has been appointed general manager for Louis Vuitton Guam, Saipan and the Philippines. De Vera-Aguirre started her career at Louis Vuitton in 2004 as brand manager for the Philippines and was subsequently promoted to brand director in 2008. She has been country manager for the Philippines since January 2011. Prior to joining Louis Vuitton, she worked at L’Oreal Philippines as the business unit manager for Lancome Paris and the fragrance business. She holds a bachelor’s in business management from Ateneo de Manila University.

SudiptuBasu has been promoted from group general manager to chief operating officer of Baldyga Group. Basu is a graduate of Cornell University. He has worked with the Hyatt, Fairmont, Kempinski and the Taj group of hotels and has opened restaurants and nightclubs in the United States and internationally.

Charles McCarrollhas been promoted from director of entertainment to general manager of Baldyga Group’s Gun Beach operations including Lina’la Cultural Park, The Beach Bar & Grill and the cultural dinner show at The Beach. McCarroll joined Baldyga Group in 1998. He has 30 years of experience in the entertainment field and formerly worked with The La Mirada Theater for the Performing Arts and The Maui Arts & Cultural Center. McCarroll co-produced and acted as executive in charge of production for Baldyga Group’s original multimillion-dollar stage production, “Dream III.”

Sorensen Media Group announced on Sept. 10 the appointment of Travis Coffman to news director of the Pacific News Center. Phillip Leon Guerrero, formerly with the Office of the Governor of Guam’s press office, now hosts Coffman’s prior afternoon slot on K57. Former news director Kevin Kerrigan has been appointed communications director at Guam Regional Medical City.

The University of Guam Board of Regents has welcomed Elvin Chiang as its newest regent. Gov. Edward B. Calvo confirmed Chiang’s appointment on Aug. 18. Chiang is a senior advisor at Ernst & Young LLP, Guam and Micronesia, where he also served as country managing partner until 2011. Chiang fills the vacancy left by former chairperson Dr. W. Chris Perez, who completed his term earlier this year.

Tokio Marine Pacific Insurance Ltd., a Guam domestic insurance company and a member of the Tokio Marine Holdings Group, was awarded the rate of A+ by A.M. Best, a U.S.-based rating agency headquartered in Oldwick, N.J. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners have designated the company as a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.

The Guam Visitors Bureau received two awards at the Sept. 12 to 15 Busan International Travel Fair in Busan, South Korea. The awards were for the Best Folklore Performance and the Best Tourism Publicity.

Richard D. Reyes has joined IP&E as the fleet fuels manager. He was previously the marketing coordinator for GTA and has a total of 10 years of experience in retails sales. Reyes holds a bachelor’s in communications from Seattle University.

Martin Estabillo has joined DKSH Guam as the marketing manager for DKSH Guam: The Watch Boutiques by Caronel. Prior to DKSH, Estabillo served as IT/systems administrator for SM Guam for five years. He holds a bachelor’s in computer engineering.

Connie Moral-Mayers has taken the position of banquet sales manager for the Holiday Resort and Spa Guam. She was previously the public affairs officer and community development state director for Citibank. Moral-Mayers brings 15 years of experience in the tourism industry including work in public relations for the Palace Hotel and in sales for Northwest and Continental Airlines. She holds a bachelor’s in marketing management from De La Salle University in Manila.

JuHee “Jenny” S. Kim joined Holiday Resort and Spa Guam in August as an assistant sales manager in the Korean, China/Taiwan and Russian markets. Kim holds a bachelor’s in marketing from the University of Guam.

On Aug. 25, Matson Inc. announced that Matson Navigation Co. Inc. was ranked number one in the ocean carrier category for Logistics Management magazine’s Quest for Quality award. The recognition is regarded in the transportation and logistics industry as the most important measure of customer satisfaction and performance excellence. Matson received the highest weighted score of all ocean carriers recognized in this year’s awards. It was ranked number one for on-time performance and information technology and number two for customer service and equipment and operations.

Art P. Santos has been appointed assistant purchasing manager at Holiday Resort and Spa Guam. Santos joined the hotel in May after being employed with Guam Marriott Resort & Spa. He brings 26 years of experience working in the tourism industry.

Sandy L. Weaver joined the Holiday Resort and Spa as a sales manager. Weaver has 20 years of retail, wholesale and interior decorating experience along with a background of 18 years working in the restaurant and catering industry. Weaver holds a bachelor’s in hotel management and business from the University of Economic Professions and Business in Tirol, Austria.

Tes C. Reyes has joined Lotte Hotel Guam as the sales and marketing manager for rooms and banquet. Her more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience include 19 years as assistant general manager and marketing director for Agana Shopping Center. Most recently, she held the position of marketing manager for Guam and Micronesia for United. Reyes holds a bachelor’s in public relations from Santa Isabel College in Manila.

The A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority, Guam, announced on Sept. 12 that two of its officers — Airport Police Officer Joe Untalan and Officer John Flores, both of the airport K-9 unit — completed their annual certification and evaluation for handler skills, explosives safety and safe handling and accountability of explosives canine training aids.

Guam Community College announced on Oct. 14 that it has been selected by The Military Times as a “Best for Vets” institution. The distinction recognizes GCC and 35 other schools for their commitment to providing opportunities to America’s veterans. The rankings were based on benefits coverage, support services and widely available statistical measures. The Military Times 2015 Best for Vets listing can be found at www.militarytimes.com/bestforvets-ctc2015.

Ryan Thomas, regional managing director of Southeast Asia for G4S, was sworn in as honorary police chief on Aug. 28 at the Guam Police Department’s Dededo precinct. Thomas holds a bachelor’s in commerce and a master’s in business.

Michele G. Blas joined Glimpses Publications as a graphic artist as of June. Formerly with the Marianas Variety, Blas studied visual arts and English. She is a member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts/AIGA Honolulu Chapter and has more than 12 years of experience working in graphic design, advertising and marketing.

Clarissa M. Del Valle has joined Glimpses Publications as account manager for R&R Pacific Magazine. Formerly employed with Citibank, Del Valle brings 23 years of sales experience and has been employed with Glimpses since July. She has a bachelor’s in marketing from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Melanie N. San Nicolas has joined Glimpses of Guam as account manager for Guam Business Magazine. Previously employed at Citibank as a direct sales representative, San Nicolas joined Glimpses in August.

Irene A. de Vera has been appointed as technical support in the Information Technology department for Coca-Cola Beverage (Guam) Co., Foremost Foods, Subway Restaurants of Guam and Glimpses of Guam Inc. She holds a 2014 associate’s in computer networking from Guam Community College and joined the company in June.

Bryce D. Guerrero has joined Glimpses Publications as a reporter. He holds a 2014 bachelor’s in communications from Northland International University in Wisconsin and was appointed to Glimpses in September.