He was last seen in his office on July 31 but he didn’t complain of any discomfort, according to Scott Russel, the council’s assistant executive director.
He said he saw Deleon Guerrero “briefly” on Monday as the executive director was about to see his doctor for a minor injury after a vehicular accident over the weekend.
Russel said Deleon Guerrero was advised by a doctor to take some rest.
“We were shocked by his unexpected passing away,” Russel said.
Deleon Guerrero, a former NMC president, was appointed to the council last January..
“There was lot of programs lined up under his term and we have to continue that,” Russel said.
Deleon Guerrero served as NMC president from 2004 to 2006.
“During his presidency, President Deleon Guerrero had an extraordinary impact at the college by creating new partnerships and steering the institution toward continued growth and improvement,” NMC Chairman Charles Cepeda said.
“His contributions will have a long-lasting effect on many of our students and employees,” he added.
NMC President Carmen Fernandez said the college community was: saddened to learn of the passing of one of our… most beloved leaders.”
“President Deleon Guerrero’s leadership reflected his unwavering commitment to students, dedication to NMC’s employees, and enduring love for Northern Marianas College,” Fernandez said. “He will be missed by everyone at the college.”
Fernandez said Deleon Guerrero was instrumental in the growth of the college and deserves credit for many of the significant successes and accomplishments of NMC.
Fernandez asked faculty, students and staff to keep Deleon Guerrero and his family in their thoughts and prayers.
“With a level-headed demeanor and a collaborative leadership style, Tony steered the college through some very rough waters,” said Galvin Deleon Guerrero, former NMC regents and current director of its Office of Institutional Effectiveness. “He brought stability and calm when it was needed most. He was a good man, and he will be missed.”
Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr., who is also the vice chairman of the NMI Humanities Council, said Gov. Benigno R. Fitial was saddened by the unexpected death of Leoen Guerrero.
The governor extended his condolences to Deleon Guerrero’s family.
Reyes said the NMI Humanities Council “is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our executive director.”
“Mr. Leon Guerrero was only with us for a few short months before he suddenly passed,” he added.
The board has yet to decide who will be the acting executive director, Reyes said.
Previously, when the post was vacant, Russel assumed the executive director’s position in an acting capacity.
Deleon Guerrero was very active in community service and professional activities.
He was vice chairman of the Pacific Postsecondary Education Council and chairman of the Human Resource Development Committee for the Pacific Asia Travel Association, Micronesia Chapter.
He was an active member of the Strategic Economic Development Council, the CNMI State Rehabilitation Council and wsa an environmental and beautification project facilitator.
In 2001, he received a Distinguished Service Award from the CNMI Public School System as president of the Marianas High School PTA/Community Council.
He was appointed by the CNMI governor to represent the Northern Marianas at the Tourism in the Insular Nations of the Pacific Conference in Noumea, New Caledonia in 1991.
At NMC, he served as dean of community programs and services, director of institutional development, dean of professional programs, director of the school of business and hospitality management, tourism instructor, and department chair of the visitor industry program.
