“I feel so much honored to be chosen as the Businessman of the Year. This means a lot to me and I want to thank the individuals who trusted me and nominated me. I appreciate the recognition,” 42-year old Vicente “Ben” M. Babauta, DFS Saipan Ltd. assistant general manager for operations told the Variety.
Babauta is the 14th recipient of the Businessman of the Year award.
He said he believes dedication and involvement in community services won him the much coveted award.
“Public service is about giving back to the community, I enjoy what I do and I think that makes the difference,” Babauta said.
Work routine
Babauta is a morning person who starts his day very early.
“I start a work day by checking my mails, check the activities planned for the day, do my rounds at the floors, check the facilities and the staff and see to it that the place and everybody is ready for business,” Babauta said. He also monitors possible opportunities and projects for the improvement of the company.
Fresh out of college, Babauta joined the DFS workforce in 1987 and worked his way to where he is now.
“I love working with people and around people. It’s an exciting work with different challenges each day, but when you I go home I feel very satisfied,” Babauta said.
He does not stay much in his cubicle, but juggles his hundred and one tasks to be completed each day on the floor or out of the office.
Babauta’s official working days are Mondays to Fridays, but he is still on call during the weekends.
Looking back
Babauta started working for his father’s Building and Maintenance Services Company as a part time operation supervisor when he was still in high school.
When he finished college, he joined the DFS Saipan Ltd. as a merchandise assistant. He moved up as team leader in the Saipan Downtown Store & Hotel Group Stores, became the shop supervisor for the Saipan Downtown Store, and as assistant store manager at the Saipan International Airport outlet.
He took a brief respite to work computer operator at the Saipan Tracking Station, popularly known as the Japanese Radar tower in As Matuis for a year.
He also worked for the Commonwealth Health Center under the Department of Public Health and Environmental Services as financial analyst for a couple of years but at the same time he was a part time assistant store manager at the Saipan Galleria.
But the lure of his previous work at DFS was too strong to resist. Babauta rejoined DFS full time in 1993 and moved up as assistant store manager at the Saipan Galleria, store manager at the Saipan International Airport, as the group sales manager at the Saipan Galleria, as Saipan Galleria associate store manager, and finally promoted to his current position in 2008.
Community services
Babauta has been active in community services since his high school days.
As president of the Rotary Club of Saipan, he led the organization in its signature achievement such as Saipan’s first skate board costing $176,000, the NMC language and Humanities department building which costs $100,000 and the ongoing Saipan beautification projects costing over $500,000.
Babauta also initiates annual bingo fundraiser events and donates the proceeds to several beneficiaries including the Diabetes Coalition, Rotary Club of Saipan, San Antonio Parish, Santa Soledad Parish, Carolinian Bible Translation, Independent Living/Disability Council, Rota Parishes and other community projects.
Babauta was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Free Trade Zone in 2003-2005.
Work Challenges
Each working day is a new challenge to be faced, Babauta said. With a tourist-based market, DFS Saipan Ltd. greatly felt the impact of the economic recession.
“In the early 1990s, the stores were heavy with people and business was brisk for everybody. The global crisis is beyond our control and with fewer airline seats to the CNMI, we had to work with our business partners to set real and achievable goals to sustain the business,” Babauta said.
Recognitions
Babauta was awarded Rotarian of the Year in 20089, and a Hall of Fame award from Off the Beaten Path in2009.
Babauta gets his daily inspiration from his wife Linda, and their two children Nicole and Vicente Jose who are both in Las Vegas.
“I want to thank my wife and family for their understanding and support in all the organizations and events I’m involved with,” Babauta said.
He also extends his thanks to his mentor Marian Aldan-Pierce and the DFS team who gave him the opportunity to do his best and excel, the Chamber of Commerce officers for all the support he got from them.
To the whole community, Babauta leaves a challenge.
“Attitude is everything. It is our foundation in life. You have the power to choose for a better tomorrow for your family, for our community, and for your businesses. Continue to be positive and enthusiastic daily and learn to value each other,” Babauta said.
The other two nominees for the 2009 Businessperson of the Year were James T. Arenovski of Delta Management Corp., and Phillip T. Mendiola-Long of Bridge Investment Group and Sherman Consulting LLC.
