MARIANAS Visitors Authority Managing Director Christopher Concepcion declined the offer of the Commonwealth Ports Authority’s board of directors to hire him as CPA’s new executive director.
On Friday, the CPA board agreed to offer Concepcion the position that will be vacated by Christopher Tenorio, whose resignation will take effect on Oct. 20. He is now on leave.
Concepcion is among the five candidates vetted by an ad hoc committee comprised of representatives of MVA, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, the Hotel Association of NMI and the Ports Operators and Users Committee.
There were originally nine individuals who applied for the job, but according to the board’s personnel committee chairman, Joseph Diaz, four of them did not meet the educational requirements indicated in the job vacancy announcement.
In an interview on Tuesday, Concepcion said, “I am honored and humbled to be offered the position of executive director at the Commonwealth Ports Authority.”
He added, “With my nearly 10-year background in the airline industry, my understanding of airport operations, my keen knowledge of the complexities involved when dealing with other airlines, ground handlers, tour operators, travel agencies, hoteliers, retailers, transportation companies, national, state and local government agencies, foreign government officials, and many other travel industry stakeholders, combined with my years of experience at the helm of the Marianas Visitors Authority, I know I would’ve made a perfect fit.”
Concepcion said he was also honored that the ad hoc committee made up of four industry professionals rated him as the highest out of nine candidates.
“However, after careful consideration, I have decided to decline the offer,” he said.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to the CPA board of directors and the interview panel for their time and effort, and vote of confidence. I wish the best for the CPA board, management and staff as they continue the good work of moving the agency forward. The missions of MVA and CPA complement each other, so I look forward to continuing our partnership,” Concepcion said.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios has nominated local businessman Jose C. Ayuyu, retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Dolores P. Kiyoshi and Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Deputy Commissioner Steve Mesngon to the CPA board.
The Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations is expected to conduct public hearings on the nominations soon.
Kiyoshi and Ayuyu will succeed King-Hinds and board member Pete P. Reyes whose terms will end on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, while Mesngon will fill the seat vacated by Barrie Toves who resigned earlier this year.
The current CPA board members whose terms are not expiring this year are Ramon A. Tebuteb, Thomas “Kiyu” Villagomez and Joseph Diaz. The other board member is Antonio B. Cabrera, an appointee of Governor Palacios.
Variety was told that if one of the four current board members “gets sick” and fails to attend the regular board meeting this month, the CPA board will have no quorum and will be unable to decide on the selection of a new executive director and ports managers.
Christopher Concepcion
