In an interview yesterday, Shrack said his retirement takes effect on Oct. 31 but he is not leaving the island.
He said he held the position in acting capacity for more than a year after his predecessor, Eloy S. Inos, became the lt. governor.
Shrack officially became Finance secretary for two months only.
Having lived on island for 16 years, Shrack said he enjoyed working for the CNMI government and the local people.
However, he said it was hard to be in a position that deals directly with the government’s budget situation and the commonwealth’s declining economy.
“It’s not an easy job,” he said.
The Fitial administration, according to Press Secretary Angel A. Demapan, is expected to designate an acting Finance secretary today.
Demapan said the administration is saddened by Shrack’s decision to retire from government service.
He said Schrack is a tremendous asset to the Department of Finance and the commonwealth government.
His “overwhelming years of experience and vast expertise in the financial field deserves full and proper recognition,” Demapan added.
Undoubtedly, Demapan said, the commonwealth has been “very fortunate to avail for many years Schrack’s expertise and skills in the area of finance and accounting.”
“While we would prefer for him to remain on board, we offer our utmost respect and support to Mr. Schrack in his decision to opt for retirement,” Demapan said.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, the press secretary added, “are very much grateful for all his contributions to the commonwealth and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
