Directors with one year remaining (Term expires: 12/31/23)
JESSICA BARRETT, President, Barrett Enterprises, Inc. DBA Barrett Plumbing
MARK J. SABLAN, Vice President Business Development, South Pacific Petroleum Corporation
PHILLIP SANTOS, Account Executive, Matson Navigation SISKA S. HUTAPEA, President, Cornerstone Valuation Guam, Inc.
MARK TOKITO, Senior Vice President, Bank of Hawaii
KIM ANDERSON YOUNG, President & Founder, Guam and CNMI Security Title, Inc.
TAE
WILLIAM
FRANK
MILTON
The Chamber’s Annual Membership Meeting and Chamber Board Election Announcement will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa. Electronic Ballots will be sent to the membership on Wednesday, November 9th. Electronic voting will be open active until 12:00 noon on November 16th. The Annual Membership Meeting will feature Chairman Edward Untalan’s End of the Year Address to the Membership.
There are nine (9) seats to be filled in this year’s Board Elections and will be decided as follows:
1. Seven (7) candidates garnering the highest number of votes shall serve a term of three years as a voting director; and,
2. Two (2) candidates garnering the next highest number of votes shall serve a term of one year as a non voting alternate director
There are thirteen (13) candidates seeking election to the Chamber Board this year. This special edition of the President’s Report focuses on the candidates and their ideas regarding the following question:
“What do you foresee are the three (3) greatest challenges for Guam and how would you as a Board Director help the Chamber resolve these issues?”
For the election, electronic ballots will be issued only to authorized voting members. Authorized individuals are listed in the Chamber’s current roster of members. If a member would like to assign their vote to a proxy, the proxy must present a signed letter of authorization on company stationery to receive an electronic ballot.
Please contact your Guam Chamber if there have been recent changes to the executive roster at your company and send your updates in writing via email to Jackie@GuamChamber.com.gu. Electronic voting will take place from November 9th November 16th at 12:00 noon. No ballots will be accepted after this period. Final results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. An announcement will be emailed to the membership before close of business day on November 16th.
1. Members may cast their electronic ballots anytime between November 9th November 16th (noon). No ballots will be cast after this period.
2. Members will be given ONE ballot. Depending on their class of membership, their ballot will be marked and counted accordingly:
Class A: One Vote Class B: Two Votes
3. Members must be current with their dues investment in order to vote (please see current schedule of dues breakdown). Contact your Guam Chamber office if you have questions about your statements or your
4. Only authorized representatives of voting members are eligible to vote (members who are listed in the Chamber’s current roster or their proxy. Note: A proxy must present a signed letter of authorization
5. the Board Election Results at the close of the Annual Meeting.
[Please insert on company letterhead] Dear Guam Chamber of Commerce, In accordance with the By Laws of the Guam Chamber of Commerce, I hereby appoint (name of representative, title, email address & phone number) as my proxy to vote for me on behalf of my company at the 2022 Annual Board of Directors Election. I understand that voting will be conducted electronically between November 9 12:00 Noon, November 16, 2022 and that my proxy will receive the special electronic link to vote on my behalf. Thank you.
Dated the _____ day of November, 2022. (Name) (Title) (Company)
Christine Baleto, Chairwoman, Pacific FROOTS & Docomo Pacific Jessica Barrett, Barrett Enterprises Will Calori, Cabras Marine Frank Cruz, Guam Fast Foods Mark Tokito, Bank of Hawaii Kim Anderson Young, Security Title
The Guam Chamber would like to recognize and thank the following Chamber Board Members for their tireless support of the organization during their tenure on the Board! (Terms expire: 12/31/22)
•Mika
•David Silva,
,
President,
•Maureen
Senior Advisor, Deloitte & Touche LLP
Past Chairman of the Board, Guam Chamber of Commerce; Past Chairman and Current Steering Committee Member, Armed Forces Committee
Number one on my list are things we can do to help small business survive. This includes a change to a sales tax to broaden the tax base and to make the tax visible to the consumer. Continued efforts to diversify the economy, and continued efforts to work with legislature to support the military build up
CEO & Head Strategy Mergers & Acquisitions, CPL Pacific; IT&E, Board Member; Chairman of Solenergy Micronesia; CEO of Turbidite Guam; Guam Unique Merchandise & Arts (GUMA) Program, Founding Director (2013); CNMI Representative to the Northern Mariana Islands Immigration Task Force, Washington D.C. (2008 2010), Guam Visitors Bureau, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors (2006 2009)
The three greatest challenges for Guam are a sluggish post pandemic recovery that is exacerbating the high cost of living and doing business; diversifying the economy; and modernizing and strengthening the island’s infrastructure
To meet these challenges, we need to be innovative, agile, and committed to finding practical solutions As Board Director, I would encourage the exchange of ideas and I would work to resolve these issues through partnership and creativity, while championing for pro growth strategies. I’d listen and learn from our member businesses because, although we are a small community, each business’s needs and perspectives are unique.
Together, we can make Guam a better place to do business
The Washington Pacific Economic Development Group, Inc.
President & Owner
Cassidy & Associates (DC), Former Executive VP; Former Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices at U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division; Deputy General Counsel & Director of Government Affairs, Governor of Puerto Rico.
On many occasions I have facilitated meetings between the Chamber and Federal Government Executives and Congressional Representatives in order to assist with existing or pending legislation or executive/administration actions of concern. This assistance has proven advantageous to the Chamber in its continuing liaison with Washington, DC. The following areas are where I think my government relations background can help the Chamber the most in the next 3 years:
Getting the Federal Government to truly understand the impact that COVID has had on Guam businesses as well as providing the with ways to minimize it Like:
1) Creating a permanent H 2B Cap Exception for the Marianas.
2) Strengthening our existing Tourism economic by expanding the Guam CNMI Visa Waiver to include the Philippines, Vietnam, and India.
3) Establishing a cabotage exemption between the Guam and the Haneda airport dramatically increasing the numbers of Japanese tourist.
4) Impressing to the members of Congress supporting the Military Buildup that they need to also provide assistance in improving our infrastructure for future Guam needs
Calvo’s Insurance Underwriters, Inc. Health Plan Administrator Calvo’s Select Care GEDA’s Economic Diversification Working Group, Co Chair; American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), Member; Rotary Club of Tumon Bay, Member; Advisory Council of the University of Guam School of Business, Member; Guam Chamber of Commerce, Past Board Member; Guam Chamber of Commerce, Past Board Chair (1994 2009); Committee to Get Guam Working, Former Vice Chair; Catholic Board of Education, Past Board Member; Junior Achievement Program, Past Board Member; Chamber Golf Committee Chairman
1) Economic recovery and this, of course, can only happen when our main economic basket, tourism, recovers
2) The impact of a global recession fueled by the ongoing inflation, supply chain disruptions, fuel energy cost, higher interest rates, increased cost of capital, and geopolitical conflicts.
3) The possible reduction in federal subsidies for social programs for post pandemic recovery to include crime prevention, education and healthcare.
Although there are some limitations as to the direct effect in resolving some of the above issues, the Guam Chamber has been an effective. Catalyst for the business community advocating for economic diversification, legislation and policies that improve the opportunities for businesses to succeed and enhancing the opportunities for our fellow Guamanians
The challenges affecting us today and not new, but this version of economic challenges can have significant consequences to our island. The Guam Chamber, our political leaders, and other business organizations must come together to develop and implement solutions for these challenges. As a board member; I will work to help strengthen the Chamber’s role in our community and continue the advocacy work with our political and business leaders
Blue Ocean Medical Group LLC dba: International Health Providers (IHP) Vice President of Business Development Tsunami Swim Club Board Member
Challenges Guam faces in the next 5 10 years:
1) Retaining Talent There’s a lack of a driven and motivated work force that continue to strive for building commerce, building talent, or building community. Those with skills look to move off island for more opportunities.
• My Solution: To continue to focus efforts on developing training, motivational events and opportunities to keep skilled leaders and nurture new ones to move of stay in Guam.
2) Transforming to Modern Corporations. The companies of our parents and grandparents will need to modernize and transform digitally to stay competitive
• My Solution: Resources to help businesses invest in the right technology and training to help with business growth.
3) Economic Diversity and Growth. There’s a lack of expertise in Guam to grow beyond tourism. The island has opportunities in technology (hardware and software) R&D, healthcare, human resources and even manufacturing that we are not tapping into.
• My Solution: Remove government from business and allow industries to grow through incentives Get venture capital interest in Guam and allow them to “sell” our island as a business friendly state.
Triple J Enterprises, Inc. Chief Financial Officer
Guam Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chair (2019 2022); Strategic Plan Working Group Leader (Community Development); Habitat for Humanity; Junior Achievement Program, Member; Rotary Club of Northern Guam, Member; Rotary Club of Tumon Bay, Member.
To address the question from the commercial perspective, I think that some challenges businesses face are (in no particular order):
• A negative perception of the military’s presence on the island. The Chamber does a great job as an advocate of the military realignment so more of what the Chamber does will serve this purpose: direct public outreach, liaising with lawmakers (and their supporters) on the economic as well as practical advantages of the military realignment, and serving as a conduit for the military’s community messaging.
• A diluted selling proposition for visitors. As the island reopens itself to visitors, we face a myriad of headwinds from unpredictable airline ticket prices, unfavorable exchange rates for foreign visitors, and robust competition from other touristic locations. These factors will gradually render us a relatively unattractive destination. It is, therefore, important for us to give our tourist markets a compelling reason choose Guam by incentivizing and incubating innovative tourist activities and further supporting the organizations and companies that comprise our current tourism infrastructure I support the Chamber’s advocacy in this domain
• Underinvestment in technology. We are in an age where every business function has been or will be disrupted by some kind of technology. Companies that embrace these disruptions will fare better in the long term than their complacent competitors both on island and around the world I would support the Chamber playing an increased role in promoting awareness of and investment in these disruptions
Atkins Kroll, Inc.
Business Development Director: Marketing & Communications Director. Guam Community College Business Advisory Council Member; Micronesia Cruise Association, Secretary; SKAL Club of Guam, President; Atkins Kroll, Inc. 401K Executive Committee Member; 2016 Present Guam Chamber Anniversary Gala, Chair
Purpose toward a sustainable community.
An immense amount of coordination to achieve more sustainable business outcomes is required. Shared purpose is the umbrella under which stakeholders come together and agree ton the objectives they want to drive towards and why With it, there would be a commitment to sustainability and an authentic responsibility. The Guam Chamber of Commerce has the best opportunity to facilitate this sense of purpose.
Will a sales tax be better than a gross receipts tax?
Transparency of taxes will lead to accountability. Consumers must know how much tax a provider collects on behalf of the government for goods and services. The Guam Chamber of Commerce can search for grants to commission a study to weigh the pros and cons of each tax system and allow all stakeholders to see which tax will be best for Guam.
Make the government of Guam more of a rent collector than an operator The government of Guam should tender out for bid operations that have proved in other markets to be more efficient, cheaper, better, and faster when operated by the private sector The Guam Chamber of Commerce can facilitate which services private enterprises can perform better.
DZSP 21 LLC
President / CEO
Society of Military Engineers, President; Guam Contractors Association, Member; Guam Chamber of Commerce, Member.
1) Road repair: This helps businesses transport and receive foot traffic including tourism Improved roads avoids wear on vehicles The board could develop contacts with state of the art road repair that the Chamber can share with GovGuam.
2) Education and training for local personnel to adapt to burgeoning enterprises: Augment UOG, GCC, GCA and GovGuam initiatives to add Subject Matter Experts that can add time for open forums for those that would like extra training
3) Improve Opportunities for veterans working outside the government in various industries: I would like to work with the Chamber for veteran’s outreach to help companies find great employees and develop opportunities for those that have served
Blair Sterling Johnson & Martinez, P.C.
Principal, Corporate Secretary & Treasurer
Guam Chamber of Commerce, Alternate Member (2012 2013); Guam Bar Association, President (2015); Public Defender Service Corporation; American Law Institute, Representative; American Bar Foundation; Member
INFLATION more particularly government regulation and policies impacted on costs of living. Suggest membership consensus on costs cutting measures for legislative and executive branch consideration.
INFRASTRUCTURE
More particularly speedier and effective use of existing funding to improve problem in infrastructure. To propose streamline processes for infrastructure improvement while continuing to maintain procurement transparency and policies encouraging efficiencies
OVER REGULATION particularly in areas impacting business efficiency and regulation. Suggest administrative rule adjustments to encourage uniform application of laws and more efficient regulatory approvals for establishment in continuing operating of businesses
American Medical Center Co Founder / President Medical Missions in Philippines, Saipan and Guam; COVID 19 Vaccination Outreaches; COVID 19 Testing Outreaches
To be stronger advocates in pushing business friendly policies in the government. We need to strengthen the partnership and collaboration of all sectors in our community to unite as one voice to champion initiatives that encourage business success.
Support our businesses and encourage business development through improving healthcare
The pandemic has taught us that the health and safety of our workforce has a monumental effect on the stability of our work environment
Employees are our greatest resource. Working together, we can improve the availability of resources to support employee health and safety so our businesses can focus on recovery and growth.
The rising cost of living We need to push for initiatives that reduce the cost of doing business on island which in turn helps business to offer lower prices and more jobs to our people.
ASC Trust, LLC
Chief Executive Officer
Guam Chamber of Commerce, Board Member; Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Member; Alcoholic Beverage Control, Board Member; Guam Contractors Association, Member; Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association, Member; American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, Member
The pandemic impacted every industry in its own way It brought to the forefront areas that could no longer be ignored and challenges that we had to adapt to. As Guam constructs its road to recovery, we’re seeing the need to have a skilled workforce to fill jobs that the Great Resignation left behind Employees need o have more opportunities to train, grow, and sharpen their skillset so they can have an active role in rebuilding Guam’s economy.
Public
certain facilities operational where we see our
in that direction. Our parks & recreational areas should be kept in good condition
Lastly, we need to find ways
for both our tourists and locals alike
pandemic created a new landscape for the way we
helped
It has
resilience of Guam’s economy can be something that
businesses. I will support the Chamber’s vision to advocate
Mobil Oil Guam, Inc
Marketing Communications Manager
Guam Contractors Association, Past Member; Saipan Chamber of Commerce, Past Member.
As we move forward from the pandemic, there are three big challenges I will focus on First, is growing back Guam’s economy by restoring tourism as it has always been a big part of our economy. Second, the huge increase in the cost of living puts pressure on businesses and local communities Alarming effect is families relocating off island thus weakens the workforce, businesses and the economy. Third is the limited recycling option on island. This plays a big role in ensuring Guam’s present and future sustainability
If given the chance, I will leverage the Chamber membership and use its expertise to address these challenges. We will work with the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association, Guam Visitors Bureau, and business communities to discuss and align our strategies in restoring tourism We will help develop ways on how businesses can help the community face high inflation situation. There will be more job fairs, business expos, outreach and training programs to provide better job opportunities, thus families will be encouraged to stay In limited recycling option, we will work with the local government and recycling companies to create a mor efficient and practical recycling options as we promote a sustainable future.