Sen. Frank Cruz submitted the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations’ recommendation to confirm Mendiola. The committee, which Cruz chaired, stated that it finds Mendiola well-qualified to serve on the NMTI board.
The senators also confirmed the nomination of Fermin Atalig to serve as a member of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. board. The committee reported that it finds him well-qualified.
After his confirmation, Mendiola was sworn in alongside his fellow newly confirmed NMTI board member, Catherine Attao.
NMTI chief executive officer Agnes McPhetres said, “I am very grateful that the governor selected individuals that could get this institution moving ahead. We are at the crossroads at this time. The private sector needs us, the government needs us, and of course, our community needs us.”
The Northern Marianas Technical Institute board members. From left, Ray Pangelinan, Irene Holl, Catherine Attao, Carmelita Faisao, Chairperson Mario Valentino, Rick Kautz, and Derron Mendiola. Photo by Lori Lyn C. Lirio
McPhetres said NMTI is very pleased to have “a young person from Rota” on board, to potentially lead the trades institute into more modern times.
Mendiola had this to say about his appointment: “I have a lot to prove, and I am excited to bring the young perspective of the community into this program.”
He also said he hopes to help strengthen maritime training, to produce more ship captains in the Commonwealth.
Mendiola, Attao, and McPhetres serve on the NMTI board together with Carmelita Faisao, Irene Holl, Rick Kautz, Ray Pangelinan, and Marion Valentino.
With Mendiola’s confirmation, the board now has the complete number of members needed for NMTI to officially become a public technical institute.
