Joseph Leepan Tenorio Deleon Guerrero
HERMAN’S Modern Bakery, one of the oldest businesses in Micronesia, has announced the appointment of Joseph Leepan Tenorio Deleon Guerrero as its new general manager.
Herman’s has been serving the Northern Marianas and the rest of the Micronesia region since 1944.
Leepan, 66, the youngest son of the bakery’s founders, assumed his new role effective June 5, succeeding his nephew, Michael Guerrero, whose term ended in January. Leepan served as the interim general manager for four months.
In an interview with Variety, Leepan expressed gratitude for being entrusted with managing a business that has been a cornerstone of the community for over eight decades.
“It is not just a job for me; it is a responsibility to guide this legacy,” he said. “My parents started this business, and it runs in my blood.”
The bakery, founded by the late Herman Jose Delos Reyes Deleon Guerrero and Maria Juliana Camacho Tenorio Deleon Guerrero, became the foundation for one of the region’s most successful family-run corporations — Herman’s Bakery Inc.
Sustainability
As the company navigates current economic difficulties, Leepan said it is important to adopt new strategies to enhance sales and sustainability.
The bakery currently serves not only Saipan but also the neighboring islands of Tinian and Rota.
They also have a distribution partnership with Kmart on Guam.
There are now plans to explore partnerships with suitable distributors across the Micronesian region to further expand Herman’s market reach.
“We are looking at how best to improve sales and services,” Leepan said. “The demand is there, but we need to find suitable partners to sell and promote our products. We still need to find more outlets to carry our service.”
Extensive experience
In a separate interview, Herman Junpan Tenorio Guerrero, president of Herman’s board of directors, expressed confidence in the new general manager’s skills and qualifications.
“Lee has extensive experience in running the business, which makes him the best choice for this role. We believe he can navigate the current economic challenges and help sustain our operations,” Junpan said.
“Herman’s Modern Bakery is not just a business; it’s a family legacy that has served the community for 80 years. Under Leepan’s leadership, the bakery aims to not only sustain its operations but also grow and thrive in an ever-changing economic environment, ensuring that the legacy built by our parents continues for another generation,” Junpan added.
As part of his goals, Leepan plans to mentor the next generation of leaders at the bakery.
“We want to prepare them to take Herman’s into the future,” he said.
