CONGRESSWOMAN Madeleine Z. Bordallo on Wednesday presented a copy of the Congressional Record entry she made recognizing Alfred C. Ysrael as Guam’s Executive of the Year for 2006, a media release from the congresswoman’s office said.
Although Ysrael was off island, his wife Diana Z. Ysrael, who is the congresswoman’s sister, and his children, Michael Ysrael and Jude and Donna Ysrael Baker, received the entry on his behalf.
Ysrael is the chairman and president of Tanota Partners, which owns and operates the SunRoute (Ohana) and Regency (Ohana) hotels and the Outrigger Guam Resort, as well as several other real estate holdings on Guam.
He has spent the last 50 years growing and diversifying his business interests on Guam, creating thousands of local jobs and helping to strengthen Guam’s economy.
Ysrael also served in the 12th and 13th Guam Legislatures, from 1973 to 1977, and was a member of the Guam Board of Education from 1970 to 1971.
Ysrael was born and raised in the Philippines. He graduated from the De La Salle University in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in commerce.
He came to Guam in 1952 as a guest worker with a three-year contract to serve as an accountant for a military bowling alley. He later purchased six bowling lanes from a surplus and opened Guam’s first, post-war civilian bowling alley.
He became a U.S. citizen in 1958 and was drafted into the U.S. Army shortly afterward. After serving with honor, Ysrael returned to Guam and married Diana Zeien. They have five children: Michael, who now serves as general manager of Tanota Partners; Elizabeth; Mariana; Catherine; and Donna; and 13 grandchildren.
Ysrael and Tanota Partners are long-time supporters of local sports. He and his family are also staunch supporters of the American Cancer Society and its Annual Relay for Life.
Sponsored by Guam Business magazine, the annual Executive of the Year award is in its 24th year.
Bordallo’s entry can be found in Volume 153, No. 20 of the Congressional Record for Jan. 31, 2007.