BY a 5-1 vote, the Northern Mariana Technical Institute board of trustees on Saturday appointed Jodina Attao as NMTI’s interim chief executive officer.
Attao has a master’s degree in education from Framingham State University and is currently employed by the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.
She was nominated by NMTI board secretary Irene Holl while former NMTI CEO Agnes M. McPhetres who was nominated by board member Richard Kautz.
“Honestly, I was caught by surprise,” Attao told Variety. “They were looking for someone with [an] educational background and performance management, and I’m very passionate about quality improvement. I’m a specialist and that’s what I specialize in improving.”
Asked about her vision and goals for the institute, Attao said she will meet with the trustees first to learn where they want to steer the institute.
“I need to sit down with the board and really hash out what our plans are, like what to accomplish in the next… five to eight years,” she said.
Attao said the first two years of her tenure will be focused on building the foundation as an organization first while ensuring that classes are available to NMTI students.
According to Attao, had she had had the opportunity to learn a trade instead of attending a college or university, she would definitely have opted to learn welding because she loves to build things.
“In light of everything that’s happening in the world, even the fact that we can’t fly out, we need more skills,” Attao said.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, who was present for the NMTI board meeting, expressed his support for Attao.
“Everyone here knows that I’ve been a true supporter of NMTI since day one,” he said, recalling his collaborative work with the late businessman Anthony Pellegrino and Victor Cepeda, the founding fathers of the trade school.
The governor highlighted the importance of NMTI having the right leadership.
“It doesn’t matter what institution you give money [to] if you don’t have the right leadership,” he said.
Noting that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done, the governor asked the NMTI board to get the ball rolling.
“I know that there is a lot of work that needs to be done [so] I give my full support to Jodina [Attao]…. It’s not going to be an easy road, but I believe in her leadership,” the governor said.
Also expressing their support for Attao were Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence founding member and Board of Education secretary/treasurer Maisie B. Tenorio, Division of Revenue and Taxation Director Tracy B. Norita, Rep. Sheila J. Babauta, and CHCC chief operations officer Subroto Banerji.
Representative Babauta also noted that under Commonwealth law, the NMTI board is not required to appoint an interim CEO.
“Given the current state of this institute, I urge this body to move swiftly in appointing the CEO and respond to inquiries as to why the interim CEO is necessary,” she said.
Babauta also commended former NMTI CEO Agnes M. McPhetres for her contributions to education in the CNMI, including her tenure at NMTI.
“Her guidance and assistance during the shaky transition has been helpful and appreciated by many. I am most grateful for her dedication and her vision for our CNMI and I am confident that we will continue to water and nourish the seeds that she has planted,” she said.
NMTI Director for Continuing Education and Workforce Development Ross S. Manglona, for his part, said the board should have publicized the vacancy for the interim CEO’s position.
“I never knew that this was open to competition,” he said. “If it’s open to competition, I would like it announced so that I could apply to be interim CEO because I possess the necessary background and qualifications.”
Representative Babauta clarified that under Commonwealth law, it is the responsibility of the board of trustees to appoint a CEO — it does not necessarily involve an application process.
NMTI board chairman Mario Valentino also noted that the board does not hire anyone; it appoints.
“Today is a big day for us. We have our new interim CEO. I would also like to recognize Agnes McPhetres who has done just a phenomenal job through her tenure, throughout this whole process, and over the years…. She has really been a beacon for education here,” he said.
“A lot of people really support and appreciate a lot of what [McPhetres has] done, so we want to recognize that as well.”
The other NMTI board members are Ray Pangelinan, Catherine Attao and Carmelita Faisao. Recently, the governor nominated Ana Maria S. Mendiola to represent Rota on the NMTI board. Her nomination requires the consent of the Senate.
Newly appointed Northern Marianas Technical Institute interim chief executive officer Jodina Attao shakes hands with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres on Saturday.
Photo by K-Andrea Evarose S. Limol
Newly appointed Northern Marianas Technical Institute interim chief executive officer Jodina Attao, third left, poses with the trustees: Catherine Attao, Irene Holl, Mario Valentino, Ray Pangelinan, Carmelita Faisao, and Richard Kautz.
Photo by K-Andrea Evarose S. Limol
