THE Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigations on Monday conducted a public hearing for Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ nominations of Keith J. Stewart, Irene N. Holl, and Zenn Q. Tomokane to the Northern Marianas Technical Institute Board of Trustees.
Committee chair Sen. Francisco Q. Cruz, vice chair Sen. Victor B. Hocog, Senate Vice President Justo S. Quitugua, and Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan were present, while Sen. Karl R. King-Nabors was excused.
Office of the Governor Public Information Specialist Thomas John DLC Manglona introduced the governor’s appointees.
“On behalf of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, I thank you for the opportunity to come and testify before you here today. I am here to introduce the governor’s nominees for the Northern Marianas Technical Institute Board of Trustees, Mr. Keith J. Stewart, Mrs. Irene N. Holl, and Mr. Zenn Q. Tomokane,” Manglona said.
“Mr. Stewart is a highly educated individual who received a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Arizona State University and an MBA in international business from the Institut Superieur de Gestion in France. He’s a very seasoned individual in the construction industry who has worked on various projects throughout the Marianas, such as the Ironwood Villas and Dusit Thani Hotel on Guam, and the Isa Villas Housing on Saipan. In addition, Mr. Stewart serves as the current president of Pacific Rim Management LLC,” Manglona said.
“Mrs. Holl is also a highly educated individual, receiving her bachelor’s degree with a focus in accounting from the University of the Visayas, and also serving as a member of NMTech’s Board of Trustees. She has held positions in various respected organizations throughout the CNMI, such as CTI Logistics and Bridge Capital, LLC, and is a very active member in different community organizations, such as the Rotary Club of Saipan, the Saipan Fitbeat Lions Club, and the State Rehabilitation Council,” he added.
“Last, but definitely not the least, Mr. Tomokane is a very well-respected individual in the Marianas culinary industry, who has many years of experience working for the Hyatt Regency where he currently serves as the executive sous chef, responsible for the efficient running of his department. In addition to this, he also served as a culinary arts instructor for the NMTech from 2016 to 2019, which only furthers our confidence in his appointment as he understands the current needs of the institution,” Manglona said.
“Governor Torres places his full trust and confidence in Mr. Stewart, Mrs. Holl, and Mr. Tomokane as members of the Northern Marianas Technical Institute. I know they stand ready to answer your questions and present their plans for the future. Their professional experience in fields relative to the NMTech, their long list of credentials, and their commitment to serving in the Commonwealth in this capacity make them viable candidates, and we ask for your expeditious approval,” Manglona added.
Stewart, Holl, and Tomokane were then sworn in before addressing the committee.
In his remarks, Stewart thanked the Senate committee and the governor for considering him for this role.
He said in his career, he has completed over $1 billion worth of successful projects, adding that part of the reason that he was inclined to accept the offer was because Pacific Rim is a local company.
Stewart said he has been in the islands for about 12 years, with four of those years spent on Saipan.
“Even though I’m from ‘the outside’ as the owner, what we have really worked to do is to really go and build a company that’s based off of employing locals, both in Guam as well as working over here and in Tinian,” he said.
What put the company on the map, Stewart said, was the $85 million Dusit Thani Hotel project on Guam, which he said took 800 local workers to complete over the span of roughly two years.
“It was a project that was really quite amazing and was a very good project for me to sort of get my feet underneath me here as a businessowner, as well as running the project to really be able to see what local individuals and craftspeople can do,” he said.
As for the Imperial Pacific International construction project, Stewart said that although that fell apart, the intent was always to develop the local workforce.
He underscored the importance of an apprenticeship program and workforce training, as well as addressing the island’s high outmigration rate.
For her part, Holl, who is renominated to the board, said that she looks forward to further working with the NMTech Board of Trustees, chief executive officer, and staff for the success of the institution.
“I believe that the future is very exciting and promising, and I wish to continue to be part of the future of NMTech. I will work diligently and pledge to serve our community well, with all my heart and to the best of my abilities,” she said.
Tomokane, for his part, said, “As an individual working in the community with my skills and talents and efforts, I look forward to working with the board and pursuing a better CNMI by working with the other individuals of this board, the CEO, and the faculty of [NMTech]. I just want to say thank you to everyone for putting their trust in me.”
Testifying on behalf of the NMTech was CEO Jodina Attao who said that the Senate’s confirmation of the three nominees would greatly benefit the institution.
“Ms. Holl has been an integral part of the NMTech Board of Trustees since before I came onboard last April 2021. In that time, I have gotten to know her and she has displayed significant interest in the success of the transition and in the best interest of the school’s continuity and operational integrity. Her reappointment as a trustee will definitely be an asset to us as we intend to bring the school to new levels in the coming years,” Attao said.
“Although I don’t personally know Mr. Stewart, I would like to commend him for his willingness to take on such a huge task. His perspective and guidance as a professional in the construction industry will be a great addition to the team as we intend to establish the CNMI Contractors Association and are revisiting legislation for the contractors licensing board that ‘sunsetted.’ Mr. Stewart’s expertise and network will definitely benefit the work we are trying to accomplish at NMTech,” she added.
Attao said that Tomokane is “yet another asset to our board of trustees.”
“His experience as a local who put in much time and energy to grow personally and professionally in the culinary world will be an inspiration to our aspiring culinary students, and increase our chances in the creation of a chefs association for the CNMI. NMTech is also currently exploring the enhancements in the existing curriculum and the development of a bakery and pastry course in partnership with Herman’s Modern Bakery, wherein Mr. Tomokane can offer his insight to guide the work we will be carrying out,” said Attao.
She said that over the past year, the NMTech team has sought out sectoral partnerships with stakeholders who play an important role in developing a thriving workforce, ones who have a shared vision built on trust and camaraderie in working toward achieving alignment among systems through collaborative efforts for a collective impact.
“Your confirmation of these three highly experienced individuals will greatly benefit the mission of NMTech,” she said to the Senate committee.
Also providing testimony was Rip Stephanson who has been with NMTech for about 10 years, serving as a former board member and instructor, and currently serving as an inspector for a U.S. Economic Development Agency project.
“I’ve observed Mrs. Holl and I know that she is a very competent person with an accounting background, which is valuable, and she has a great interest in the institute, so she’s definitely an asset. I don’t know Mr. Stewart, but he has the background we need there. Mr. Tomokane is also valuable in that we have a good culinary program, so I would highly recommend all three,” said Stephanson.
He added, “We know that technical and trades education is critical here in the CNMI because in the future, we’re not going to have opportunities to have foreign workers. We’re going to have to rely on our own workforce, and the trades are very profitable and sustainable types of work. We haven’t valued them in the past like we should.”
“If you take your trades education and go to the [U.S.] mainland, you’ll find that you can get work that’s anywhere between $25 on up, depending on your level of skill. In the future, we’re going to see that here. We’re going to see those levels of compensation for work. Actually, currently, when you look at the college situation, you’re much better off having a trades education than a college education. You’re more flexible, you can make more money, and you can have more opportunities,” he said.
NMTI trustee Catherine Attao also testified in support of the nominees.
She said that the institution has taken great strides in building stronger relationships in the community.
“As a current board trustee, I am very proud of the teamwork and team spirit that exists within the technical institute under the leadership of CEO Ms. Jodina Attao. When the board of trustees CEO updates us, it is always impressive to learn about their accomplishments and new partnerships. The team is very focused and determined to evolve to being a leader of developing our workforce within the Marianas,” she said.
“Serving on my second year as a trustee, it has been a pleasure working with CEO Attao and her team. Currently, the BOT is unable to establish a quorum as we only have a total of three confirmed members, Ms. Carmelita Faisao, Ms. Ana Mendiola, and myself. I am very excited to be here today to support the nominations of Mr. Keith J. Stewart, Mr. Zenn Q. Tomokane, and Mrs. Irene N. Holl to the BOT.”
Attao noted that Stewart is a well-known contractor within the region, and the leader of the Christmas Surprise Home project, collaborating with other community partners.
“Witnessing all of the effort that went into this successful project, and recently announced news of Mr. Stewart leading the way to a new airline for inter-island travel within the CNMI, the dynamic he will bring to the board of trustees will be very exciting, as he represents two industries that are a part of the NMTech program,” said Attao.
She noted that Tomokane assisted with the early stages of the NMTech culinary arts program, working alongside the late Tony Pellegrino.
“With these four years of service and his vast culinary experience, Mr. Tomokane will bring great knowledge and energy to the BOT,” she said.
Attao added that it has been a pleasure for her to work with Holl this past year, including the transition from NMTI to NMTech.
“Although she was off-island this past year, she continued to hold up her fiduciary responsibility by staying updated with our work and attending our meetings virtually. She’s very dedicated [and] has shown great compassion and commitment to support the institution’s vision and efforts to evolve into a leading training institute,” she said.
Moreover, “the challenge that our islands have in workforce development relies heavily on the success of the Northern Marianas Technical Institute. It is with great excitement that we are here today for these community leaders’ nominations to the board of trustees. With this committee’s support for their nomination and the Senate’s confirmation, the board of trustees can continue to move forward with the NMTech team.”
Attao also thanked the Senate for their support of former NMTech board chair Mario Valentino.
“Leading the way for the transition definitely was not an easy job, but he did a job with great integrity and upheld his fiduciary responsibility, so thank you so much for your support and I look forward to your continued support with the nominations of these three members,” she said.
A community member provided public comment in support of Holl, in addition to three written letters submitted also in support of Holl.
No letters were received by the Senate in opposition to the nominees who also answered questions from the senators.
Appearing before the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigations on Monday are, from left, front row, Keith J. Stewart, Zenn Q. Tomokane, Northern Marianas Technical Institute CEO Jodina Attao and Irene N. Holl.
