CHIEF Executive Officer Brian Shin of E-Land Group’s subsidiary Micronesia Resort Inc. has been named the Saipan Chamber of Commerce 2021 Business Person of the Year.
This year, the chamber held its annual Business Person of the Year or BPOY fundraiser gala at Kensington Hotel Saipan on Saturday.
Shin now joins a long line of BPOYs who include some of the biggest names in the local business community.
He has been described as a leader with entrepreneurship, creating opportunities rather than waiting for one, taking bold steps to make a difference rather than just sitting around, and taking a crisis as a wake-up call for a change rather than an excuse for inaction.
With his pioneering leadership, he oversees corporate functions for three properties on Saipan: Kensington Hotel Saipan, Pacific Islands Club, and Coral Ocean Resort Saipan.
Amid the worldwide disarray caused by the spread of Covid-19, Shin has been exceptional and diligent in enduring and overcoming difficulties imposed by the still-raging pandemic for the past two years, prioritizing the health and safety of the community.
In partnership with the CNMI government, Shin made a prompt decision to operate PIC as one of the non-congregate shelters, while also transforming Kensington Hotel Saipan into one of the most frequented venues for gatherings and staycations for the local community.
In December 2020, Shin met with the Marianas Visitors Authority to present the idea of an initial framework for the South Korea travel bubble, which would later influence the launch of the Tourism Resumption Investment Plan, or TRIP, program.
Then, just a month later, he led the long-awaited reopening project of Coral Ocean Resort, which underwent a full-scale renovation after it was devastated by Super Typhoon Yutu.
Shin has also been said to not only understand the social responsibilities of business, but to proactively find ways for long-term targets for a more balanced, healthy, and sustainably-developed community.
As an integral member of the private sector, his interest lies in enhancement of the viable economy by creating decent jobs, training the workforce, and empowering the youth through endeavors such as transforming the CNMI into a world-class destination through his work on the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors or GCEA.
In the E-Land Group, Shin constantly reminds employees of the corporation’s ultimate founding mission: to be the light and salt of the world.
Upon receiving this prestigious honor, Shin in his remarks recognized the other 2021 BPOY nominees: AB Risk Solutions Operations Manager and Saipan Chamber of Commerce Vice President Shayne Villanueva, 500 Sails Co-Founder and President Emma Perez, Bank of Saipan President and CEO John Arroyo, Bridge Capital LLC General Manager Bart Jackson, and TurnKey Solutions Managing Partner Billy Grow.
He also expressed his gratitude for Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, the GCEA, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, the business community, CNMI community members, and the E-Land Group.
“I’m very humbled to be the recipient of this prestigious honor… [I am reminded of a] conversation I once had with my daughter at the beginning of last year… She asked me, ‘Daddy, what do you do all day? Whenever I go to your office, you don’t seem to do much. It seems like everyone else is running around,’” he said.
“I paused for a few seconds and I said, ‘Hey, you know what? I’m trying to bring the tourists so that the economy for the CNMI [will get] better and make this place better because this is our home.’ [Then] she said, ‘Well, you didn’t do [that great] of a job because I haven’t seen a flight come in,’” Shin continued, leading the audience to a fit of laughter.
“So, from that moment, I was more than clear about what I [needed] to do for the community and for the company, committed to myself that [although] this is a tough time and there are a lot of things going against us, let’s give it a 100 percent try.”
Shin noted that the company has been around in the CNMI for about a decade, making investments over the years.
“We will be around for many years. We’re a very small puzzle of a lot of puzzles out there that have made the CNMI what it is today. I just wanted to recognize, everybody, that the first time in… two years, we had three flights [that] flew in today,” he said, resulting in a resounding roar of the audience applauding.
“Lastly, I want to thank my team, our team, E-Land… Thank you for all that you have done over the last couple of years. This is where we are. I think we made it out pretty good… It only gets better from here… I consider this [award] as a pat on the back, so we will continue what we are doing. Let’s go, Marianas! Be strong, and thank you,” Shin said in closing.
Awarding the prestigious honor to Shin were some of the 2022 Saipan Chamber of Commerce board members, President Joe Guerrero, Vice President Shayne Villanueva, Secretary Marcia Calvo, Alex Sablan, Dr. Joshua Wise, and Nicole Babauta; Executive Director Lee Tenorio, as well as some of the past recipients of the BPOY award.
E-Land’s Brian Shin delivers his speech during the Saipan Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year fundraiser gala Saturday at Kensington Hotel.
E-Land’s Brian Shin holds his Business Person of the Year trophy.
Brian Shin with his E-Land team.
This year’s Saipan Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year trophy goes to E-Land’s Brian Shim.
