LIKE the rest of the islands, Triple J Saipan Inc. is going to be spending Labor Day enjoying some well-earned rest. Fred Camacho, however, also has a positive word of encouragement to the over 200 employees who help keep Triple J Saipan successful.
“I just want to extend my gratitude for your cooperation and support and encourage [our employees] to keep up the good work,” said Camacho, Triple J Saipan’s business development manager. “All the hard work you do is not going unnoticed.”
Triple J employees pose for a photo with the company’s float from the 2025 Liberation Day Parade. Company founder Robert Jones was this year’s Parade Grand Marshall.
Camacho said that Triple J Saipan is run on the community-driven, people-focused philosophy of its founder, Robert H. Jones.
“I’ve seen that mindset, whether it’s improvement for the community or improvement for the people,” Camacho said. “Last year, when we were talking about [establishing] the farm on Tinian, it [was] not just something that will benefit Triple J as a business but the entire community. Because before we even entered into the venture, we spoke to the mayor’s office, we met with the cattle ranchers, [and] we met with the farmers on Tinian…to say we can initiate this on our end, but we welcome any partners.”
Although the founding father of the company has already stepped down as CEO of Triple J, Jones still provides input on major decisions for the company’s development and ways to expand, Camacho said.
In fact, in this interview with Camacho last Aug. 28 at the company’s corporate office, Jones was in his office, working.
Company employees show how much trash they collected during a Triple J beach cleanup in Chalan Kanoa.
“In my time here, I’ve really seen the level of care that he has in terms of making sure that there’s opportunity for employment for local people and making sure that whatever we do, we take care of the people that are involved,” Camacho said of Jones. “That, I honestly respect. I appreciate the fact that what we’re doing has that type of positive effect.”
Triple J has a diverse portfolio of companies, and, according to Camacho, it rewards its employees who do well.
“We’re always trying to promote from within and have our people take on additional responsibility if they’re able to do so,” Camacho said.
Citing some of Triple J’s restaurants as examples, he added, “I do know that a lot of [supervisors]…started out as servers, or they started off in different lines and then they were able to cross-train and move up.”
When it comes to labor needs, Triple J is also affected by the skilled labor shortage that is happening Commonwealth-wide, Camacho said.
Citing CNMI Department of Labor numbers, Marianas Variety articles have stated that the top three job vacancies in the Commonwealth are all in the construction trades. Food and beverage industry job positions, including openings for cooks, are also a top need in the CNMI.
Triple J employees take part in the 2025 Liberation Day Parade.
As a diverse group of companies, Triple J has a stake in these industries. That is why it is also partnering with local educators so it can tap local talents for these industries.
“You would hope and desire that our local pool had the skillset and the numbers to be able to accommodate 99% of the vacancies, but the reality is we don’t have that,” Camacho said. “So we’ve had to go abroad and bring in other skillsets. Although those might be the primary ones, I’m hopeful that with partners like [the Northern Marianas Technical Institute] and the college, [the Public School System] as well, we can continue to bolster those skills and we can have that increased pool to pull from.”
Those who want to be part of the Triple J family may just send in their applications, Camacho said. For those just entering the workforce, his advice is to find these opportunities.
“I would encourage anyone looking for a job to get their feet wet. Go out and apply. Don’t be stuck so much on one category. Go in and apply, and if there’s an opportunity, try it,” he said. “You’ve got to put your application anywhere and see what bites and take that as a stepping stone to potentially where you end up. Our [human resources department] is very good at looking at those people that applied and are reaching out.”
<strong>’I just want to extend my gratitude for your cooperation and support and encourage [our employees] to keep up the good work.’</strong>
<p style=”text-align: right;”>—Fred Camacho, Triple J Saipan’s business development manager
