From left, Nadine Deleon Guerrero (CNMI SBDC Network director), Kenneth Lujan (SBA Guam branch manager), Cecilia T. Fitial (president, Commonwealth Women’s Association), Dr. Barbara Hunter (interim director, NMC School of Business), Dave Guerrero (economic development manager, Commonwealth Economic Development Authority), Kioshi Cody (acting director of economic development, CNMI Department of Commerce), Roman Tudela (CNMI SBDCN marketing manager/outreach specialist), Charmaine Hofschneider (CNMI SBDCN administrative office manager), Mercilynn Palec (CNMI SBDC associate network director), Adelpha Magofna (CNMI SBDCN administrative office manager). Individuals who attended the meeting via Zoom: Benjamin Huk Borja (Tinian SBDC director/business advisor), Phillip Mendiola-Long (president, Tinian Chamber of Commerce); bottom, from left: Allen Perez (chief of staff, Office of the Mayor of Tinian) and Joe C. Guerrero (president, Saipan Chamber of Commerce).
(NMC) — The CNMI Small Business Development Center Network or SBDCN at Northern Marianas College welcomed Ken Lujan, Small Business Administration Guam branch manager, on March 28, 2023, who was on Saipan to conduct a site cursory review in preparation for the CNMI SBDCN’s annual site review in July.
On March 29, 2023, the CNMI SBDCN also hosted its inaugural Advisory Council Meeting in the NMC Board of Regents conference room.
The site cursory review is facilitated on a semi-annual basis to evaluate the program in a customizable manner to assess programmatic areas such as existing procedures, the servicing and management of client profiles, and the budgeting and utilization of SBA funding. During the cursory review, Lujan provided in-person recommendations for CNMI SBDCN in preparation for the annual site review in July.
During his meeting with the NMC leadership team, Lujan shared his excitement on the formation of the new SBDCN team and how he was pleased with the progress the SBDC has made since becoming a network.
Additionally, Lujan shared his appreciation with the NMC leadership for supporting the network and ensuring its success through their guidance and partnership.
“Every couple of weeks, the SBA meets with the SBDC regional state directors for its all hands meeting. It’s really exciting to hear about all the strides the CNMI is making in promoting entrepreneurship and supporting small businesses through training opportunities and events they host. There is no doubt the CNMI SBDC is making a positive impact in their respective communities,” Lujan said.
The CNMI SBDCN also scheduled meet and greet sessions with some of the program’s community partners such as the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority, First Hawaiian Bank, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, and the Department of Commerce. It is the SBA and the SBDC’s hope that these sessions will foster relationship efforts with resource partners to encourage partnerships and collaboration.
Inaugural meeting
On Wednesday, March 29, the CNMI SBDCN hosted its inaugural advisory council meeting. The purpose of the advisory council is to solicit feedback from its ten-member council whose prominent presence in their respective businesses and community organizations will assist the SBDC Network to best serve the community’s needs and the needs of its CNMI SBDCN clients.
The CNMI SBDCN Advisory Council members are:
Saipan
Dr. Barbara Hunter (interim director, Northern Marianas College School of Business)
Cecilia T. Fitial (president, Commonwealth Women’s Association)
Dave Guerrero (economic development manager, CEDA)
Joe C. Guerrero (president, Saipan Chamber of Commerce)
John Z. Arroyo (president and CEO, Bank of Saipan)
Kioshi K. Cody (acting director of economic development, Department of Commerce)
Tinian
Allen Perez (chief of staff, Office of the Mayor of Tinian)
Phillip Mendiola-Long (president, Tinian Chamber of Commerce)
Rota
Steven McCoy (president, Rota Chamber of Commerce)
Jacqueline Manglona (operations manager, Kin & Rit Enterprises)
The meeting consisted of Ken Lujan, SBA Guam branch manager, and CNMI SBDC Network Director Nadine C. Deleon Guerrero discussing the purpose of the advisory council, Q&As with the council members, the setting of expectations of the council, and scheduling the next advisory council meeting.
During the meeting, CNMI SBDC Associate Network Director Mercilynn K. Palec took the opportunity to formally introduce the CNMI SBDCN team:
Benjamin “Huk” Borja (Tinian SBDC director/business advisor)
Diana Benavente Hocog (Rota SBDC acting director/business advisor)
Charmaine R. Hofschneider (administrative office manager)
Adelpha Lynn K. Magofna (administrative office manager)
Roman M. Tudela (marketing manager/outreach specialist)
Council members exchanged feedback on how they see themselves working together alongside the CNMI SBDCN and the SBA for the betterment of the CNMI’s business community.
About SBDCN
The CNMI Small Business Development Center Network comprises the CNMI SBDC lead center located on Saipan, the Rota SBDC, and Tinian SBDC.
CNMI SBDCN is partially funded by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and Northern Marianas College.
