(SCC) — The Saipan Chamber of Commerce is proud to share the success of the Annual Business Person of the Year or BPOY Gala that happened Saturday, January 21, 2023, at the Hibiscus Hall, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan. The night was filled with laughter, fun, delicious food, and good vibes. The emcees were Marcia Nishimura-Calvo and Brad Ruszala. Entertainment was provided by SoundHire and The High Tide Band.
During the event, SCC celebrated and recognized the 2023 Board of Directors installed and signed to oath by Judge Kenneth I. Govendo. This year’s board members are Joseph Guerrero, President (Naked Fish Bar & Grill), Dr. Joshua Wise, Vice-President (PHI Pharmacy), Janice Tenorio, Treasurer (IT&E CNMI), Donna Krum, Secretary (Friends First Marketing), Alex Sablan, Director (Tan Holdings), Velma Palacios, Director (IT&E CNMI), Nicole Babauta, Director (Docomo Pacific), Ron Smith, Director (Angil Design, Inc.), and John Arroyo, Director (Bank of Saipan).
In addition, this year’s BPOY award was presented to John Jay Santos of Triple J Five Star Wholesale Foods and Triple J Payless Superfresh & Truckload Store. Congratulations to Mr. Santos for this huge achievement and thank you for all you do and have done for the community!
The other awardees of the night were the Kagman Isla Community Health Center who received the 2022 Non-Profit of the Year Award’ Bistro Boyz, 2022 Start-Up of the Year Award; Paradise Dental Spa, 2022 Small Business of the Year Award; and the Marianas Alliance of Non-Governmental Organizations or MANGO, 2022 Chamber Member of the Year Award.
The Chamber would also like to express its biggest thanks to our sponsors for the event.
Gold sponsors: The ERC Group, Docomo Pacific, and United Airlines. Silver sponsor: Tan Siu Lin Foundation and Marianas Pacific Distributors, Inc.
Event sponsor: Burger Comer & Associates, LLC, McDonald’s of Guam and Saipan, Assurance Brokers Inc. (Saipan), Micronesian Resort, Inc., and Bridge Capital, LLC.
In-kind sponsors: Atkins Kroll Saipan, Calvo’s Insurance, Angil Design Inc., 360 Enterprises, Island Training Solutions, Triple J Saipan, Inc., Hyatt Regency Saipan, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, Godfather’s Bar, World Resort Saipan, Pacific Health, Inc. dba PHI Pharmacy, IT&E CNMI, Naked Fish Bar & Grill, Pacific Trading Company, Turnkey Solutions, D&Q International Distributors, Coca-Cola Beverage Company (Micronesia), Inc., 500 Sails, LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort, Western Sales Trading Company, and First Hawaiian Bank.
The Chamber extends its greatest thanks to everyone who came to the BPOY Gala. The event would not have been possible without the help of the Chamber Executive Director’s office team, SCC Board of Directors, SCC Events Committee Chair Marcia Nishimura-Calvo, SCC Events Committee, the SCC Membership, the Crowne Plaza Resort Team most especially the director of banquet and events, Mr. Das Krishnan, and the gala sponsors for the event.
The BPOY gala serves as the SCC’s largest annual fundraiser for its programs which include scholarships, online seminars, workforce development training, small business support, and more to benefit its membership and local community.
In addition, the event honors past Business Person of the Year recipients, current nominees, and the SCC Board of Directors. Additionally, the event celebrates the installation of the Board of Directors.
For more information, email contactus@saipanchamber.org or call (670) 234-7150.
