By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
DOCTOR Joshua Wise, general manager of PHI Pharmacy, was named the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Business Person of the Year.
Wise received the Chamber’s top honor during its annual gala, which also recognized standout organizations and formally installed the 2026–2027 Board of Directors. This year, the Chamber’s gala was held Saturday evening at the Kensington Hotel.
Other awardees
Alongside Wise, the Chamber announced the following 2025 award recipients:
• Non-Profit of the Year: Project Buddy Check 670
• Small Business of the Year: Kumoi Farms
• Chamber Member of the Year: CNMI Small Business Development Center
• Public Agency of the Year: Northern Marianas College
Wise was selected from a competitive field of finalists that included Tina Azarvand, Esq., LL.M., founder of Azarvand Tax Law; Glenna Palacios, founder of Marianas Integration LLC; and Brad Ruszala, founder of Commonwealth Communications.
‘Thank you for this honor’
In accepting the award, Wise opened with humor, thanking his fellow finalists and acknowledging the strength of the field.
“Being in a category with people who are just rock stars in their field helps me feel like a rock star with you guys,” he said.
Wise thanked God, his collaborators, PHI Pharmacy’s staff, and his family — wife Jamie and children Jordan and Gemma — crediting them for their support and sacrifice.
He also shared three business principles he said guide his work.
“One thing I learned from my father is that if you take care of your employees, they will take care of you,” Wise said. “Great customer service is the backbone of any business. In partnerships, trust is the foundation and loyalty is the dividend. I’ve had many great partnerships here, and many have blossomed into friendships. For that, I am forever grateful.”
2024 Business Person of the Year Francisco Ada of Triple J presented the award and reflected on its meaning.
Ada described the past year as “a remarkable journey” that highlighted “what can be achieved when business excellence meets ordinary people’s extraordinary dedication,” adding that the award represents the collective effort of the Triple J team over four decades.
Ada said Wise exemplifies “resilience, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to ethical and inclusive growth.”
New Chamber leadership installed
The gala also marked the installation of the Chamber’s 2026–2027 Board of Directors:
• Brad Ruszala, Commonwealth Communications
• Dr. Nelson Krum, Paradise Dental Spa
• Dr. Joshua Wise, PHI Pharmacy
• Amier Castro Younis, Younis Art Studio dba Marianas Variety
• Nicola Babauta, Docomo Pacific
• John Arroyo, Bank of Saipan
• Joe Guerrero, Trancends LLC
• Janice Tenorio, IT&E
The Chamber’s 2026 officers are:
President: Dr. Joshua Wise
Vice President: Janice Tenorio, IT&E
Treasurer: Ron Smith, Angil Designs, Inc.
Secretary: Brad Ruszala, Commonwealth Communications
Wise closed his remarks with gratitude.
“Thank you so much again for this honor,” he said.
Working together
In his remarks, Gov. David M. Apatang emphasized the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors as the Commonwealth works to strengthen its economy.
He reflected on the CNMI’s evolution since the early Commonwealth period, noting that economic and political maturity has shaped the community’s quality of life.
Apatang said his administration is taking “a long, hard look” at long-range planning to support economic recovery and stressed that private-sector input remains essential.
“My door is always open,” he told Chamber members, urging continued partnership to move the economy forward.
The Chamber said its annual gala highlighted business excellence, community service, and a shared commitment to the CNMI’s economic future.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
